Related Ads

Id	Active	Status	Created	Modified	Created Epoch	Modified Epoch	Notes	Scrape Result Id	Original Ad Id	Adarchiveid	Collationcount	Collationid	Currency	Enddate	Entitytype	Fevinfo	Gatedtype	Hasuserreported	Hiddensafetydata	Hidedatastatus	Impressionstext	Impressionsindex	Isaaaeligible	Isactive	Isprofilepage	Pageid	Pageinfo	Pageisdeleted	Pagename	Reachestimate	Reportcount	Ad Creative Id	Byline	Caption	Cta Text	Dynamic Versions	Effective Authorization Category	Display Format	Title	Link Description	Link Url	Page Welcome Message	Creation Time	Page Id	Page Name	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Instagram Actor Name	Instagram Profile Pic Url	Instagram Url	Instagram Handle	Is Reshared	Version	Body	Branded Content	Current Page Name	Disclaimer Label	Page Like Count	Page Profile Uri	Page Is Deleted	Root Reshared Post	Cta Type	Additional Info	Ec Certificates	Country Iso Code	Instagram Branded Content	Spend	Startdate	Statemediarunlabel	Actions
2436792	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	5/3/25, 6:49 AM	1731438070	1746272973		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437202	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	2/12/25, 10:25 AM	1731438239	1739377532		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444957724_440073978721681_961887473215878163_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h4UHIW0XZAQQ7kNvgEwvsww&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCE7QUZ-VJgKRRs83eqy8zUkj0_T2i2EX3qg_FTCiTPHg&oe=67398E54	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437021	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/24/25, 2:21 PM	1731438166	1737750114		1782																										www.secretaryi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥Hot Sale - Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.secretaryi.com/products/sunglasses-3			1.3075141679636E+14	Secretaryiunderwear	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451628689_737319645092428_5131626187348524227_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v9QtbUEUTjkQ7kNvgFVfXSU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYDdNL6PfzWYSBwpCgsFcqtc-9TFutCWu_mXXeWTY0vSXA&oe=67397BE2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Secretaryiunderwear		402	https://www.facebook.com/61552707142822/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436735	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	5/3/25, 5:22 PM	1731438047	1746310954		1782																										appraisalm.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://appraisalm.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.1520123815761E+14	Appraisalm	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459043363_1533118437293681_687730447576789864_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XbhJpXnMzBUQ7kNvgG69YVb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYCGtXTJrBT-VG4Vns-1hpHAAjtUmlyu5rkZMdZriW2k1Q&oe=67396D7F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Appraisalm		208	https://www.facebook.com/100090392443780/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437137	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	5/3/25, 7:01 PM	1731438211	1746316899		1782																										www.icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO	❤️‍🔥 FINAL DAY: 50% OFF! ❤️‍🔥		https://www.icefacibuy.top/products/czymmms?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			3.7123567273436E+14	Dr. Irwin Goldstein	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448883048_496986036019694_8947378588746271325_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fR8-PR-S8gYQ7kNvgEnjpQx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYCtes2ELItTQ7eH73zl_j-QnfRiK9r4JNd0ch9kvdKwSw&oe=67397CF3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock the Power of Transformation! From caterpillar to dragon, experience a magical journey with us. ❤️		Dr. Irwin Goldstein		329	https://www.facebook.com/61561267838270/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437050	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	5/19/25, 9:27 PM	1731438176	1747708051		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=3dhnzpmcw76r9l71pk9o&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3521339968266E+14	Ravin for everyone	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449832834_937863298095940_575193660601545587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W5oOutDEQS4Q7kNvgGopFTL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYAuHT7O_rwnb_hmFo79nkM1v4o9Z4HOGgBnYIJHxGim-A&oe=67395EEC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/2fh3frae		Ravin for everyone		25	https://www.facebook.com/61561353158058/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436638	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	1/29/25, 6:02 AM	1731438006	1738152180		1782																										www.casetifys.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Ancient Crossbow MINI Stainless Steel Slingshot Crafts Adult Collection Ornaments Decompression Shooting Small Model Toy		https://www.casetifys.com/products/ancient-crossbow-mini-stainless-steel-slingshot-crafts-adult-collection-ornaments-decompression-shooting-small-model-toy?st			1.0835853217426E+14	Usefulcasetifys	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462314232_355956927600816_6302595442727443946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EDcKt4_kTbgQ7kNvgGdrlNN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYB1kwsuQb1EX3-kdOQTdf6GPyWZA1NIVxte2bvrYLANVQ&oe=67396186	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		☄️☄️I want to make 100 siege vehicles🔥🔥 to directly capture the opponent's city🎁🎁 🛒🛒GET YOURS HERE：https://reurl.cc/NlgkX9		Usefulcasetifys		227624	https://www.facebook.com/100090399601525/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437275	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	5/3/25, 4:59 PM	1731438269	1746309598		1782																										play.google.com	Install Now			DCO	One Man One War	{{product.description}}	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.habby.archero			1.7055699129225E+15	Archero	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439921914_1154802665548466_744206028294062338_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oruxyz5n-5cQ7kNvgEE_fjv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYBp0YJl0noAQfLeig_nyOlxqBuQahWuoG1k-OaMHqwy6w&oe=67395CF6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Finally on level 9. I'm hooked...		Archero		694420	https://www.facebook.com/archerogame/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437010	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/19/25, 6:49 AM	1731438163	1737290998		1782																										www.hobbyester.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🌈2024 Upgrade Bluetooth Sunglasses. Suitable for all mobile phones.		https://www.hobbyester.com/products/bluetooth-sunglasses			1.0766505874444E+14	Hobbyester	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451196940_1008385410877306_9222409039002584849_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WiT2Ny-b5jQQ7kNvgHpVzk7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYClWw3XAtHOQ2Bx6_nvkCcl0AkNI4TBw4_rj9Q5mqHuGQ&oe=67396ABD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Have you ever seen Bluetooth earphones that can take photos, make phone calls, and listen to music??!😍😍😍		Hobbyester		1722	https://www.facebook.com/100085430437453/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437057	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	2/11/25, 11:50 AM	1731438178	1739274600		1782																										www.llytabulate.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.llytabulate.com/products/sunglasses			2.4059635247897E+14	Llytabulate	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450936141_468862745725855_6255012428973855331_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0TnjTghh1mgQ7kNvgFFUVKH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYAR5zTloBdOqwQClSbCa32H5GwOdY8PSHJ4yn1e2wdi5w&oe=673960A8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶️This Bluetooth sun glasses go crazy 🔥🔥Wireless Bluetooth connection,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨👉https://www.llytabulate.com/products/sunglasses		Llytabulate		1347	https://www.facebook.com/61557153490842/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437064	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	2/17/25, 5:11 AM	1731438180	1739790716		1782																										peryfisoin.com	Shop Now			DCO	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses	{{product.description}}	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses			1.0762045243694E+14	Peryfisoin	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450939943_1485204069052170_4799674088574239240_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mv07vrFe6p0Q7kNvgE4Rmt5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYCAsuhf_oD-xaSFxd7lHGDaSjXx7LW_9vWlInxB_y9asg&oe=67398999	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩👍Discover the sunglasses that have transformed my life!		Peryfisoin		1145	https://www.facebook.com/61550095536555/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437066	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	1/21/25, 2:25 PM	1731438181	1737491155		1782																										peryfisoin.com	Shop Now			DCO	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses	{{product.description}}	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses			1.0762045243694E+14	Peryfisoin	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450939943_1485204069052170_4799674088574239240_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mv07vrFe6p0Q7kNvgE4Rmt5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYCAsuhf_oD-xaSFxd7lHGDaSjXx7LW_9vWlInxB_y9asg&oe=67398999	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩👍Discover the sunglasses that have transformed my life!		Peryfisoin		1145	https://www.facebook.com/61550095536555/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437518	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	2/15/25, 2:55 PM	1731438369	1739631300		1782																										msnddxm.shop	Shop now			VIDEO			http://msnddxm.shop/			2.4858843167362E+14	Milton Caprisa	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433238266_1720061161851228_7213279926746089482_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Iy35pw85JdoQ7kNvgHAfNMI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDpfF2YbLD_9FnVNy17jJgxAoCOgxHyp18FSgi6U5BmlQ&oe=6739879C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🏹️The best hunting crossbow comes from generations of hard work developing the most cutting-edge technology to produce the fastest crossbow on the market.		Milton Caprisa		5	https://www.facebook.com/61557439433681/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437145	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	3/12/25, 10:36 PM	1731438213	1741836968		1782																										shapesence.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.com/products/bluevibejj?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			2.514980095199E+15	Luhizito	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448749480_448745427867379_9177076826588566523_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FREtneeKkEYQ7kNvgFqzwn8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAH1uBlaU0lp-aGsWh-W81h-oDyRXkZZlvNpjm1lib2Ag&oe=6739750B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock your confidence with every drop,boosting vitality day by day.🥰		Luhizito		7	https://www.facebook.com/100068093018199/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437165	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	5/3/25, 1:27 PM	1731438222	1746296848		1782																										shapesence.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.com/products/bluevibejj?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			3.2417962411565E+14	Luck Girl	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448304194_7127939330639188_6361063659249989145_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tc_iftR4yjAQ7kNvgHmFHvi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYB4t5RLv9c8EIaeVe6j3GKIUVcMfXc3AtxXDbdLd9HZYg&oe=67397B8D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		You are so powerful.🥰		Luck Girl		8	https://www.facebook.com/61560383290603/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437197	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 8:11 PM	1731438238	1732846299		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441953459_1584836078749912_8871264102183484181_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZcjGdkeUPwQ7kNvgERHqD6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCRGsRstWF5WD80iflJRVfkE6mTh0EPs4Qbj3XdkLDe2g&oe=673977BA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437532	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438373	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437222	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	5/3/25, 5:46 PM	1731438251	1746312374		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437227	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	5/14/25, 7:52 AM	1731438253	1747227161		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437231	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/28/24, 1:04 PM	1731438255	1732820667		1782																										ogcqgjv.com	Shop now			IMAGE	Bankruptcy Sale, Only $29.05.	choimp	https://www.tufdocw.com/products?handler=cb&token=DTSc9XQf			3.0999189886013E+14	Jasswyg	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436367540_3622659407951132_5010362282380566542_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4Zpik3QmJLgQ7kNvgElggxT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYAtjGJYOiUCdTrk_oKvwctzY0c1UyoFdrvWg-mb4JHlOw&oe=67398AB5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🏹️The best hunting crossbow come from generations of hard work developing the most cutting-edge technology to produce the fastest crossbow on the market.		Jasswyg		0	https://www.facebook.com/61558502476873/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437241	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438257	1732022966		1782																										icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://icefacibuy.top/products/bluevibe?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			1.0751615495796E+14	Novedades y Mochilas Guille	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438242115_2232976187038226_5363926898240377529_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AXRIzORH500Q7kNvgFPBQLB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYAepBDatYR1iHPH1IKvarFRTESO-8ecRMXtO9h1Ec81oQ&oe=67396E7F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Novedades y Mochilas Guille		88	https://www.facebook.com/100024874876967/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437245	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438259	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/daydream_rollplay			1.5721803097638E+15	DayDream	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441488596_356044523692123_2876433146947104897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iYYcwTS8gCIQ7kNvgGIDd1W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCkoe76qld6wKGUZOb-mKluCDoPGa9Xu8C_K9KhUsePbA&oe=67395C63	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				DayDream		267	https://www.facebook.com/daydreamsoftware/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437250	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438260	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/daydream_rollplay			1.5721803097638E+15	DayDream	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441488596_356044523692123_2876433146947104897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iYYcwTS8gCIQ7kNvgGIDd1W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCkoe76qld6wKGUZOb-mKluCDoPGa9Xu8C_K9KhUsePbA&oe=67395C63	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				DayDream		267	https://www.facebook.com/daydreamsoftware/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437261	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 11:10 PM	1731438264	1733289025		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437267	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438265	1732022966		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437270	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 4:31 AM	1731438267	1733049072		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1084930849			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439849226_1405141326803970_6688408966755911714_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pf-UoBJ5rDMQ7kNvgGf8LLb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYDwQH_iF2_kmHoheZY0XOHwRRZMeI_jRQ-edjS_b5Qqvw&oe=67396CA5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Why is this game so fun?! Play Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437276	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/28/24, 2:44 AM	1731438271	1732783459		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	One Man One War		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.habby.archero			1.7055699129225E+15	Archero	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438164168_957466929311064_4328551410735498022_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ou1VtMRUwb0Q7kNvgHxGw7U&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYAE_OD_fG9kj8wQfUzPqJARLL_cmQNzx7U9cwCQv7rBQQ&oe=67396E52	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Finally on level 9. I'm hooked...		Archero		694420	https://www.facebook.com/archerogame/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437278	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438271	1732022966		1782																										joyread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	The Alpha King And His Cursed Half-breed	"You are mine, little wolf. Deny our bond, and you defy the laws that govern us all," Azrael's words dripped with quiet menace. In a world where werewolves live amongst humans, Raven Wildheart has always been the outcast. Born a half-breed unable to fully shift, she faced ridicule and rejection from...	https://www.joyread.com/h5/7175/1?id=7175&lang=en&package_type=2001&uid=5299126				FlameWitch	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439237084_426481886682491_7163669719455130228_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1HEI_6pYsUYQ7kNvgEdWTvv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYBBF9UV7sbe30fYoofXgDFvKYN8uop_3l0iQsNzd1g7bw&oe=67395B05	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		"You are mine, little wolf. Deny our bond, and you defy the laws that govern us all," Azrael's words dripped with quiet menace. In a world where werewolves live amongst humans, Raven Wildheart has always been the outcast. Born a half-breed unable to fully shift, she faced ridicule and rejection from her pack, including three failed mate bonds. Scarred by her tragic past, Raven fled, embracing her human side—until fate intervened. ******************* Raven's POV: "You honestly think, I, Kalen Blackmane, would take you as my mate? Is the Moon Goddess playing a sick joke on me?" he growled, his eyes shifting as I could tell he was battling his inner wolf. "I...I am sorry, I didn't—" I stammered, cowering under his intense gaze. "Oh, shut up, omega. How can I, the future Alpha of this pack, be mated to an omega like you? Worse, a half-breed who can't even shift?" His words cut deep as I sat in the corner, shoulders shaking, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill. "Stand up," he commanded, his alpha tone compelling me to obey, even unwillingly. As an omega, those of alpha blood made us cower and submit. I quickly stood up, keeping a respectful distance. Kalen took a step back, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "You stink. When was the last time you even showered?" He spat the words like venom. How could I not reek when I woke at 4 am every day, worked like a slave in this pack house, and went to bed at 11 pm? It was summertime, for the Moon Goddess's sake—of course, I would sweat from such relentless labor under the unforgiving heat. But I knew better than to rebut this future alpha and held my tongue. "I, Kalen Blackmane, future alpha of the Novilian Pack, reject you, Raven Wildheart, as my mate and future luna." There, he said the words I knew were coming, the same words I had heard twice before. Oh yes, the Moon Goddess had been playing a sick joke on me ever since I turned 18, giving me mate after mate, only for Kalen to be the third rejection. They all rejected me because I was a weak half-breed who couldn't shift. "Say it," he growled, jolting me back from my thoughts. "I, Raven Wildheart, accept your rejection," I whispered, the pain searing through my heart like a hot blade. I had heard stories of how excruciating the pain was when rejected by one with alpha blood, but now I knew they were telling the truth. A searing agony ripped through my chest, as if someone had plunged a white-hot dagger into my heart and twisted it viciously. Every nerve ending felt like it was being set ablaze, the fiery torment spreading through my veins. I gasped for air, clutching my chest as waves of anguish crashed over me, threatening to drown me in a sea of torment. I could tell he was also in pain from breaking our mate bond, though not as severely as me. Breaking a mate bond was no easy feat, but these men had been doing it to me so easily. But hey, I didn't blame them—who would want me? Kalen stormed out of the storeroom, and as soon as he left, I fell to my knees, clutching my chest in agony, the searing pain refusing to subside. Tears streamed down my face as I curled into a ball on the cold, hard floor, my body wracked with sobs. How much more rejection could I endure before I shattered completely? I don't know how long I laid there, curled up on that cold, hard floor, body wracked with sobs. It could've been minutes or hours—the agony was so all-consuming that time ceased to have any meaning. This brutal rejection was just the latest in a long line of suffering I'd endured in my cursed life. My mother, Zahara Wildheart, was an omega who had dared to love a human man—my father, Ezra Ash, a skilled hunter. Their unconventional union had caused quite the scandal in our pack, the Novilian wolves, but my parents didn't care. They had me, and we were a happy little family, my father's human nature balancing out my mother's calmer omega wolf. But on my 18th birthday, the pivotal day I was supposed to undergo my first shift into a wolf...nothing happened. We stayed up all night, my parents trying in vain to coax out my wolf, to trigger that elusive first transformation. But no matter what we tried, I remained stubbornly human, a cruel reality that dawned on us with the rising sun. My mother held me as I sobbed, promising it didn't matter, that I was her precious daughter no matter what. My father stroked my hair, his warm, earthy scent enveloping me as he said we'd figure this out together. United, they vowed to stand by me, to protect me from those who would surely judge me as less for being the half-breed who couldn't shift. If only we'd known then just how fleeting that promise would be. That very night, rogue wolves—savage, feral ones with no pack—attacked our home. My father fought valiantly with his crossbow and blades, but how could a mere human hope to fend off monsters? I still have nightmares about the snarls, the snapping jaws, his anguished cries as they tore him apart before my eyes. My mother shifted with a terrifying roar, her deep auburn fur glistening in the moonlight as she threw herself at the rogues. I watched in horror as her blood spilled, staining her beautiful coat, but she kept fighting to allow me to escape. With her dying breaths, she screamed for me to run, to save myself. So I ran. I ran until my legs gave out, collapsing in the forest just as the sun began to peek over the horizon. When I awoke, I was surrounded by Novilian pack guards who had tracked the rogue scent. They brought me, broken and sobbing, back to the pack lands where Alpha Carter Blackmane took me in, his gruff words saying it was the honorable thing to do. But the "mercy" of giving me a home again in the pack was a cruel lie. Once there, I was treated as an outcast, a pitiful half-breed who had been too weak to manifest her wolf, too pathetic to save my own parents. The whispers, the mocking looks, the shoves when no one was watching—it never ended. For two years, I endured it all. The backbreaking labor them deemed fit for someone as low as me—cooking, cleaning, tending to their needs from sunrise to sunset. The unrelenting misery of being an omega with no wolf, a non-entity unworthy of being treated as anything more than vermin underfoot. Enough. I had endured enough suffering in my two decades of life. Scrambling to my feet, I didn't even try holding back the tears as I fled the storeroom, fled the mocking jeers and glares of the other wolves. Let them laugh—this would be the last time they ever saw me. I burst into the small room I'd been allocated and grabbed the tattered rucksack, flinging in the few meager possessions I owned—some clothes, a couple of precious mementos from my parents, and most importantly, the documents proving my human identity, my birth certificate and social security information. My hands shook as I quickly scribbled a note to Alpha Blackmane: "I quit. I'm leaving the pack. Don't try to find me—from this day on, I'll live among the humans as one of them. I am officially a rogue wolf, free from your judgment and cruelty." Slinging the rucksack over my shoulder, I cast one last glance around the cramped, dingy space that had been my whole world for far too long. Then, without a shred of regret, I turned and strode out, head held high. I marched through the Novilian pack village, drawing confused looks but no confrontation—even the cockiest of wolves wouldn't dare challenge a rogue, no matter how nonthreatening they might think me. My heart hammered in my chest, but I kept going, not allowing myself to pause or look back. Finally, I reached the tree line cloaking the eastern border of the territory. The boundary where Blackmane laws no longer applied. Drawing a deep, resolute breath, I stepped across that invisible line, leaving the world of my birth behind. I didn't stop walking until I'd made it halfway through the forest separating the pack lands from the nearest human town. Only then did I pause, sinking down to sit on a fallen log as the weight of what I'd done finally hit me. I was alone now. Utterly alone in the world, with no alpha's protection, no family, no home. Just me, a half-human girl with frail human limitations in a supernatural world of powerful wolves. But I was also free—free from the persecution, the daily torment of being seen as a defective mistake. Pulling my knees to my chest, I let the tears flow again, this time not from anguish but from the uplifting realization that I would choose my own path now. Resting my forehead on my knees, I whispered fiercely, "I have had enough, Goddess. I won't be coming back, not ever. I'll find my own way, with or without the wolf inside me." https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share.html?id=7175&lang=en&is_from_myscroll=1&is_composition_contest=0				0		0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437292	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 4:23 AM	1731438277	1733307816		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			1.7731758212558E+14	Mobile Game Mania	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438729943_1783217275532006_7386429878176938314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=imE6igdFwIcQ7kNvgFLHAmk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYCE7X6yGlUVynFIqYjCEYDM1gIm01CT3SBnSHfhayREVg&oe=67396236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Why is this game so fun?! Play Now!		Mobile Game Mania		347	https://www.facebook.com/61553758222172/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437552	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438379	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437308	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 8:08 PM	1731438284	1733278100		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437701264_456851220189074_3845705834667566214_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NFRk8Lq_LvcQ7kNvgGvS9rI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYD52_hwnPfdYAeZQjQ-ECjC3siu8ecldPQ1Ajx2rqSkxQ&oe=673960AC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437557	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438380	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437559	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438382	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436518	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 8:14 AM	1731437955	1733494462		1782																										budk.com	Shop Now			DCO	Hit Your Mark with The Toothpick Launcher 🏹	Delivers pinpoint accuracy	https://www.budk.com/Toothpick-Launcher-Crossbow-Functional-Toy-Metal-S-51819/51819.html			1.517553146784E+14	BUDK Gifts	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464822799_858911512898773_7620503460179528546_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt2NMrzyO4Q7kNvgGTrQAu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCgETbeFzRmKWQ1Bbyr_xjk3l8ojG8-pRkbefR9YjKa5g&oe=67395AF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ready, Aim, Fire! Have Fun and Show Off Your Precision Shooting with Our Toothpick Launcher Crossbow 🎯		BUDK Gifts		1311	https://www.facebook.com/61551819670022/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437570	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438384	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437575	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 8:39 AM	1731438384	1733063997		1782																										ffm.to	Listen now			VIDEO	Roc Marciano		https://ffm.to/gold-crossbow			3.3098641090879E+14	Equity Distribution	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432057296_1069983790929131_6106975070023928301_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rf7ZcbPkDn4Q7kNvgH2DVuT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYCDJEoXsUKiNzQoYWiiHzCCxEn02QZReBMTFLubQpHg3Q&oe=67398A0A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Roc Marciano x Gold Crossbow		Equity Distribution		3537	https://www.facebook.com/rocnationdistribution/	0		LISTEN_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437350	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/30/24, 6:28 AM	1731438302	1732969717		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437353	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438303	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437590	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 3:52 PM	1731438390	1732744380		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/gregbridgesart			1.0620474221814E+14	gregbridgesart	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/363895122_621162433473069_7198498876232514127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1QsCtvvhTMoQ7kNvgGcoUEC&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDaOnryE8-KbeVNlBLUz11Y_BTwU9OMR0VepsmfZWzV6A&oe=67397645	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				gregbridgesart		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gregbridgesart	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437360	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438305	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437361	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438305	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437593	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438391	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/gregbridgesart			1.0620474221814E+14	gregbridgesart	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/363895122_621162433473069_7198498876232514127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1QsCtvvhTMoQ7kNvgGcoUEC&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDaOnryE8-KbeVNlBLUz11Y_BTwU9OMR0VepsmfZWzV6A&oe=67397645	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				gregbridgesart		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gregbridgesart	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437596	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438391	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/gregbridgesart			1.0620474221814E+14	gregbridgesart	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/363895122_621162433473069_7198498876232514127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1QsCtvvhTMoQ7kNvgGcoUEC&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDaOnryE8-KbeVNlBLUz11Y_BTwU9OMR0VepsmfZWzV6A&oe=67397645	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				gregbridgesart		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gregbridgesart	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437610	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438396	1732022966		1782																										do.r2games.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Free RPG game. Play NOW	Dark Odyssey, an epic online rpg game that contains AUTOMATIC UPGRADING, endless CHALLENGES, massive BOSS FIGHTS, orc INVASIONS, and CHARACTER CUSTOMIZATION. Get ready to embark on a dark and thrilling journey, increase your power, team up with other players and save the world!	https://www.r2games.com/link.php?id=1011466			2.2960943304673E+15	R2Games	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432588189_1571481373675242_1205278681109741644_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gJXy_V3evdEQ7kNvgH2ACTt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBsTRaJtsTEWnvhz1Hc0vcQDz3RETpLCwWR8vDnq94VNQ&oe=67395B88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Welcome to the world of Dark Odyssey! ⚔⚔ The world is full of danger, don't go alone 💥💥		R2Games		9928	https://www.facebook.com/R2GamesNew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437619	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438398	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437377	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/28/24, 9:46 PM	1731438317	1732851979		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Crash your enemy now!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.feelingtouch.rtd			1.0600161176097E+14	Random TD	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/421929950_2643971322444033_796049117069429445_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gyVekQ7nwUAQ7kNvgEnsbMI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYAn8ote9SnJAnU933R6NKkWikI9LpQm1GhQwwq8Vj0sCA&oe=673985C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defend your tower! 🚨 Battle anywhere, anytime. Get ready for a thrilling experience now!		Random TD		43315	https://www.facebook.com/randomtd/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437624	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/2/24, 8:38 PM	1731438399	1733193528		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437627	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438399	1732022966		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437638	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/28/24, 12:34 PM	1731438404	1732818846		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437658	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 1:24 AM	1731438409	1733037863		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437674	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438412	1732022966		1782																										gamehollywood.com	Play Game			DCO	Welcome to Titan Revenge!	{{product.description}}	https://www.gamehollywood.com/ldp/cEEx.action?gameId=239&lp=tr14&cno=TitanRevenge_GHG_FB_T1			1.4803483505697E+14	Titan Revenge	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428712680_418826437305195_5858516169441456784_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v0IbVnrUKXAQ7kNvgGJ9Z_t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYD0RgdzOBqVFgZqVa5SdSPL-psCk5VKlbR5baGr4GV98w&oe=67395BEA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Join Titan Revenge for Epic RPG Action Battle, come discover and challenge! 💥💥		Titan Revenge		10317	https://www.facebook.com/TitanRevenge/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437690	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/6/24, 6:30 AM	1731438417	1733488248		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install Now			DCO	Get 777 Free Draws🎉	{{product.description}}	http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1664335636			1.081249221191E+14	Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428702953_1294895474745022_271974139990118811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XeSzQ6JRUhgQ7kNvgF7Z9Q2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBRs_Z7ijqAdFS-crpMaY4rBDP6eDuYArbvoDu9goFhzQ&oe=67399320	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The Dungeon's door has opened🎉Forge Your Own Hero's Journey📲		Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients		2100	https://www.facebook.com/100088190161207/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437693	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/6/24, 5:48 AM	1731438418	1733485738		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install Now			DCO	Get 777 Free Draws🎉	{{product.description}}	http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1664335636			1.081249221191E+14	Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428702953_1294895474745022_271974139990118811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XeSzQ6JRUhgQ7kNvgF7Z9Q2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBRs_Z7ijqAdFS-crpMaY4rBDP6eDuYArbvoDu9goFhzQ&oe=67399320	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The Dungeon's door has opened🎉Forge Your Own Hero's Journey📲		Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients		2100	https://www.facebook.com/100088190161207/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437703	1	active	11/12/24, 1:07 PM	11/29/24, 4:32 AM	1731438421	1732876321		1782																										musiccityarchery.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	For All Your Archery Needs		http://musiccityarchery.com/			7.4702195870935E+14	Music City Archery	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422264410_752229343444243_7706606627779637779_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F0lOZZuybYoQ7kNvgHBKSPf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAyxL-jquihUAKMoRJawQCQPDqO0Mi2O-PzDRQR-3n5Aw&oe=67398387	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Music City Archery		2617	https://www.facebook.com/musiccityarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436239	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437836	1732022966		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Handcrafted in Telluride, Colorado	{{product.description}}	http://www.shopcrossbow.com/			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465985305_1684143588795664_9109533657417579314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZwh6oe4HmcQ7kNvgHkUZ3M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYAQ3DG0QYd-WRBvbJj5sGlzO2u2CPaND4qDxgi6TZmHjw&oe=673969F6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in Telluride, Colorado		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436243	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437837	1732022966		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Handcrafted in Telluride, Colorado	{{product.description}}	http://www.shopcrossbow.com/			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465985305_1684143588795664_9109533657417579314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZwh6oe4HmcQ7kNvgHkUZ3M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYAQ3DG0QYd-WRBvbJj5sGlzO2u2CPaND4qDxgi6TZmHjw&oe=673969F6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in Telluride, Colorado		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436302	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437864	1732022966		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436330	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	5/4/25, 12:34 AM	1731437874	1746336890		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436352	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 8:22 AM	1731437883	1733322149		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Polygun Arena NEW FPS		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.polygon.arena			1.0409219598082E+14	Polygun Arena	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465890292_3851329068448459_7397440552983544467_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YsKqmYkYdmwQ7kNvgH5LY4p&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC32NN73GBonMazPmKfM2-y-KJiUPNjUYsJJuAkCWWJmQ&oe=6739807D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Multiplayer 3D shooter with cartoon graphics		Polygun Arena		7491	https://www.facebook.com/polygunarenagame/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436364	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/29/24, 10:26 PM	1731437888	1732940768		1782																										pacbow.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://pacbow.com/			1.1240211221106E+14	Pac Bow Archery	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465788287_2467663603442075_5375078215845780366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ESfSdyWTi0oQ7kNvgEI7ica&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAZqJFQlDr5E1mP5gYtxkeDTvV0V7PnsQQ9mhTJKh-gaQ&oe=67396C54	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Pac Bow Archery		639	https://www.facebook.com/Pacbowarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436368	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/29/24, 4:43 PM	1731437890	1732920193		1782																											Send message			MULTI_IMAGES						4.9439041374692E+14	hinterland hunting & camping Africa	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465643075_1095247678679526_4178899415696232396_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r2s_28YbG58Q7kNvgEpi2rq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCt9S6KHObWEzK9sMJookZzgqjKCjx-mc-ccGz8FQ1XKQ&oe=67398A1E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Are you looking for the best hunting experience and adventure... We still have some late season specials running in Southern Africa Valid only this year September 2024-jan 2025 1x Leopard 1x Lion 4x Buffalo All the hunting permits and tags are included with the price and all the packages is all inclusive. # Leopard Special # 1x Leopard 15 x Hunting days All inclusive $24 500 # Lion Special # 1x Lion 18x Hunting days All inclusive $47 500 # Buffalo Special # 1x Buffalo 12x Hunting days All inclusive $12 950 Are you looking for a dream hunt of a life time in the dark continent in Africa. Here is a couple of late season specials. The hunting area is free range and wild as you can get with dangerous game and plains game walking everywhere. You will be hunting on 2,223,948 acres . There are plenty of game in the area and you will go a far way to get a good hunting area with good quality animals. All the animals are exportable to most countries US ,Europe that are on quota. Please contact us on: Phone: +27 787888122 https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=27787888122 Book now with us for the best hunting experience Hunt Pricing for Africa Hunt Lodge African Porcupine - $300 Baboon - $400 Black Impala - $1750 Black Springbok - $1000 Black Wildebeest - $1650 Blesbok - $500 Blesbok Cull Hunt (10) - $200 Blue Wildebeest - $1200 Brown Hyena - $4000 Bushbuck - $1850 Bushpig - $900 Cape buffalo Cow - $3950 Cape Buffalo (soft bossed) - $6500 Cape Buffalo (under 40") - $10,000 Cape Buffalo (over 40") - $12,500 Cape Buffalo (45" Plus) - $19,950 Eland (Cape) - $3950 Eland (Livingston) - $5500 Caracal - $1000 Civet Cat - $850 Common Reedbuck - $1500 Copper Springbok - $1750 Crocodile (Trophy) - $4500 Crocodile (4.0 meter) - $13,900 Elephant - $22,000 + Gemsbok - $1950 Golden Gemsbok - $3500 Genet Cat - $550 Giraffe - $2950 Golden Wildebeest - $2950 Grey Duiker - $450 Hippo - $15,000 Impala - $550 Jackal - $80 Kings Wildebeest - $5900 Klipspringer - $2500 Kudu Bull (under 54") - $3950 Kudu Bull (over 54") - $5500 Leopard (Zimbabwe) - $40,000 Lioness - $5900 Lion Male - $9950 - $16,950 Lion (White) - $25,000 Book with us +27787888122 https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=27787888122 Hunt Rifle-Bow-Crossbow 1x1 Starting at ONLY $2,995! 2024 / 2025 7-Day 3-Animal Beginner's Safari Packages STARTING AT ONLY $2,995! INCLUDES TROPHY FEES and a FREE OBSERVER! BEGINNER'S PACKAGES STARTING AT $2,995 ALL-IN Both packages include: 7 Full Hunting Days 8 Nights 5-Star Lodging 2 Travel Days FREE OBSERVER! 3 Trophy Fees ZEBRA PACKAGE (Package #1) ONLY $2,995 All-in! 1 - Zebra 1 - Blue Wildebeest 1 - Blesbuck GEMSBUCK PACKAGE (Package #2) ONLY $3,295 All-in! 1 - Gemsbuck 1 - Blue Wildebeest 1 - Blesbuck CUSTOMIZE YOUR PACKAGE! You can switch animals in the package for animals on the price list on a 1x1 basis for equal or higher priced animals and just pay the difference in prices from the Trophy Fee List for equal or higher priced animals. PACKAGE INCLUDES: Stay in a 5-star Luxury Lodge First Observer is Free! Add extra hunt days for $200 / Day Add extra 1st Observer days for $100 / Day Add additional observers for only $150 / Day One child under 12 in the same room stays free! Full Beverage Package Included Rifle Rental - $25 / Day + Ammo Used Airport Pick-up / Drop Off included from Johannesburg (JNB) All Inclusive – Food / Lodging / Guide / Tracker / Laundry / Permits included. For the best hunting call/whatsapp https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=27787888122 +27787888122		hinterland hunting & camping Africa		0	https://www.facebook.com/61566506666578/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436373	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 12:05 AM	1731437894	1733292329		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://accubow.com/collections/accubow-training-bows			2.1965142478307E+14	Matt Busbice	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465536106_1066884594929815_4310655951342412248_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KOO2sFUZlQwQ7kNvgF277MX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC61osVXMt59pAKv_XFqf5QRQWN7XOUWbtNIJndkBi0QQ&oe=6739608E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		My arrow skipped across this turkeys head!?		Matt Busbice		474992	https://www.facebook.com/mattbusbicebusiness/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436394	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437904	1732022967		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436405	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437909	1732022967		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436411	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/30/24, 3:57 PM	1731437910	1733003838		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436432	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437919	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436438	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437922	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436442	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437923	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436447	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437925	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436451	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/28/24, 1:43 AM	1731437926	1732779804		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Brand new for 2024 these shawl vests are hand made from start to finish.	{{product.description}}	https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464974574_1641279966426053_8672094697025660444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iAPDKuUpbQQQ7kNvgFkd50T&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDFywRFojS-4CG_ZlDYMteJt_UiDA2drY-UBTJbJIcFuQ&oe=67396753	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436462	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437930	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436463	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437931	1732022967		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436467	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 6:26 PM	1731437933	1733358399		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436526	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 11:54 PM	1731437957	1733291675		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464574140_797717919078382_2307358459661513118_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-oU-vjYK_5sQ7kNvgEb6wCE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBsyfO2j2txAhgi-jsUeXaQA8Nj6tUpxAaoC8W8ngFZ-A&oe=67395B5B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Conquer uncharted dark territories!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436499	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 10:29 PM	1731437946	1733200140		1782																										greatdaysoutdoors.com				IMAGE	How To Pick a Hunting Crossbow	Choosing the right hunting crossbow is a process of matching features to your hunting style, experience level, and game preferences. With...	https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/hunting-crossbow/			324625144573	Great Days Outdoors	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464944558_521863224047930_3926692594293788685_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9j2DX0U656UQ7kNvgFtOGj0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYA3e_jiXpCkqXRycRrn4bBHpqlgKpNN8QGx-t1g56oRNA&oe=67398AC7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Crossbows come with all kinds of bells and whistles, but knowing which specs matter most can really impact your hunt. Here’s what you need to consider for a successful season.		Great Days Outdoors		29635	https://www.facebook.com/greatdaysoutdoors/	0										View Edit Delete
2436503	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 1:24 AM	1731437948	1732778668		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436504	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 2:09 AM	1731437949	1733126950		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436510	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 12:39 PM	1731437950	1732819186		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436508	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437949	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436512	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 3:26 AM	1731437953	1733304395		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464924061_3384133265215144_4673446601651566003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SaxRWYb9nJwQ7kNvgH2mLFX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBYNgJ70LrSfMMwM8YQLWUc6RQB7Ee0CLrBqxhRFxK3vQ&oe=67396257	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Only the strongest warriors can reach Lv.30! Try now!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436514	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437954	1732022967		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464831366_527674756822839_3877810536900299795_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6umvQGNlbWAQ7kNvgHou9eH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCc6hgCkJNP9xTV_tIiQJH0q4wC4O6-qUOn8hKj_zQVog&oe=67395F7B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Only the strongest warriors can reach Lv.30! Try now!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436522	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/27/24, 3:25 PM	1731437956	1732742732		1782																										budk.com	Shop Now			DCO	Hit Your Mark with The Toothpick Launcher 🏹	Delivers pinpoint accuracy	https://www.budk.com/Toothpick-Launcher-Crossbow-Functional-Toy-Metal-S-51819/51819.html			1.517553146784E+14	BUDK Gifts	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464822799_858911512898773_7620503460179528546_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt2NMrzyO4Q7kNvgGTrQAu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCgETbeFzRmKWQ1Bbyr_xjk3l8ojG8-pRkbefR9YjKa5g&oe=67395AF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ready, Aim, Fire! Have Fun and Show Off Your Precision Shooting with Our Toothpick Launcher Crossbow 🎯		BUDK Gifts		1311	https://www.facebook.com/61551819670022/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436531	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 10:31 PM	1731437959	1733286680		1782																											Send Message			CAROUSEL	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD					2.8157480522825E+14	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464623278_579497494739520_5773825510366516213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PaW78SwuL9wQ7kNvgGNV1Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBApPxNuixG_tRD_5TbErYuD8D42IfVnO1SXG-byAl1mA&oe=67395E88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD		22676	https://www.facebook.com/brushyforkoutfitters/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436536	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 7:35 PM	1731437960	1732844158		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			IMAGE	Test your mind, memory, and vocabulary!		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.playsimple.wordsearch			8.781468122145E+14	PlaySimple Games	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464330069_3684630608350011_312141846588758783_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Pn7KwhGAdwQ7kNvgH6pGEr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYD7ajM2n1vf4z4Yw9-m9P8yJRO51J5n5buHbvMzW8gXoQ&oe=673960B5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Classic game with a fun twist! 🌟 Put your vocabulary to the test 📱		PlaySimple Games		160853	https://www.facebook.com/playsimpleguess/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436542	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437962	1732022967		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Crash your enemy now!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1572786877			1.0600161176097E+14	Random TD	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464124208_1064857408610462_3848205163584871223_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AO3bivUTeMYQ7kNvgH6pGgQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAEnhU1IMkhmp8svWdJ9TizE4Aw1FgiErl9BFUANVpm7A&oe=67396171	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defend your tower! 🚨 Battle anywhere, anytime. Fascinating mechanics and intricate details await you to explore!		Random TD		43315	https://www.facebook.com/randomtd/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436556	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 3:13 AM	1731437967	1733303582		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Realistic Archery Gaming On-the-Go with AccuBow	Free Shipping	https://accubow.com/products/accubow-x-0-crossbow-simulator?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&fbadid=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			1.0561733744456E+15	AccuBow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464241416_948199104024107_8853500159551980984_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jbtbuJxke6oQ7kNvgFnApe4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYBfFlx72ouq9UXeewR2zHfHbmoJDfGtPY1hxDaA4oVNuw&oe=67396ED0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Discover AccuBow: The ultimate virtual archery game! Transform your phone into a bow, and let the games begin. 30+ thrilling game modes including online multiplayer, from zombie hunts to archery golf, it's fun for the whole family! Our easy fold n’ go design lets you take your adventure anywhere and the realistic drawstring keeps you fully engaged. Just download the app, attach your phone, and start hunting!		AccuBow		24568	https://www.facebook.com/accubow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437459	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/26/24, 7:31 PM	1731438349	1732671079		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436582	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 12:38 AM	1731437981	1732775886		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463880008_1065208281922082_7247875992597851937_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8PFoZst6EbQQ7kNvgHyVame&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCVS0VVm0neuB4cNjDYFEOKMxc-GQ6WeaMNeXOZ0meyRA&oe=67398E52	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436584	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 11:47 AM	1731437981	1732816031		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463880008_1065208281922082_7247875992597851937_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8PFoZst6EbQQ7kNvgHyVame&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCVS0VVm0neuB4cNjDYFEOKMxc-GQ6WeaMNeXOZ0meyRA&oe=67398E52	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436579	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437978	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/wetwillyoutdoors			1.4146864905906E+14	wetwillyoutdoors	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343208715_622007756450249_4153879750093747310_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=DFfYL4wL-ZEQ7kNvgHxVfnc&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCW7l1u5408pUkDyzw1Wu6aUWAXYTci4nx5WAzc788-Bg&oe=673978FE	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				wetwillyoutdoors		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/wetwillyoutdoors	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436580	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437979	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463880008_1065208281922082_7247875992597851937_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8PFoZst6EbQQ7kNvgHyVame&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCVS0VVm0neuB4cNjDYFEOKMxc-GQ6WeaMNeXOZ0meyRA&oe=67398E52	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436587	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 4:48 PM	1731437982	1732834122		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://shopcrossbow.com/pages/events			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Telluride	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461510309_1230625901530742_4376676497656080115_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Afws5Gi4APgQ7kNvgGWn-CZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCuCOABJm8Hlj3g-fa2EdzzCAH8c1dgwvhXptacWvcDcA&oe=673964D2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436592	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437983	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463086626_1050644839853844_737404424375642860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JKO-cjPFvq0Q7kNvgGM5O8Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYA7TxxImP0Mo4uRtE0gZtVoRpKbyWQ-TSDeMkXXwFW3hQ&oe=67396674	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436595	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 1:57 AM	1731437984	1732780660		1782																										www.Lumenok.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL			https://lumenok.com/?utm_source=FacebookAd&utm_medium=FacebookAd&utm_campaign=Fall_Sales_FB&utm_id=Lum_Fall_Sales			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462910868_879921630777136_1522242753515071300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HC7KLT4aTt8Q7kNvgGLv1vu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDOl8A3L1wIn5Xqas10FIEjeuC6flR-0hjILaPLgOtESA&oe=6739779B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Lumenok		166154	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436605	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437988	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463022317_8471293876250048_7582923471004569257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsDhiSeitcgQ7kNvgFEQJnT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDtPa3RBKaA8SYHYi4-jFfCDipcrdIX8X0XlBDrXxHeCg&oe=67397B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436608	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	4/25/25, 8:14 PM	1731437990	1745630098		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463022317_8471293876250048_7582923471004569257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsDhiSeitcgQ7kNvgFEQJnT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDtPa3RBKaA8SYHYi4-jFfCDipcrdIX8X0XlBDrXxHeCg&oe=67397B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436614	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 7:47 AM	1731437992	1733320068		1782																										play.google.com	Play Game			DCO	Double Benefits, Power Up	{{product.description}}	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gravity.roo.lna			1.6648482655416E+14	Ragnarok Origin: ROO EN	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462950761_9099503423427684_3279906725616922062_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WNdodGiybdIQ7kNvgHalHOx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDhjxTJ_omRVO5vIojqbDBG5kK1wJ4KXWSSgOHIY_SMNA&oe=67398842	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		📣 Welcome back, veteran players❗ Log in now to claim abundant rewards💎🎁		Ragnarok Origin: ROO EN		12038	https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALRagnarokOriginROO/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436612	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437991	1732022967		1782																										play.google.com	Play Game			DCO	Double Benefits, Power Up	{{product.description}}	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gravity.roo.lna			1.6648482655416E+14	Ragnarok Origin: ROO EN	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462950761_9099503423427684_3279906725616922062_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WNdodGiybdIQ7kNvgHalHOx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDhjxTJ_omRVO5vIojqbDBG5kK1wJ4KXWSSgOHIY_SMNA&oe=67398842	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		📣 Welcome back, veteran players❗ Log in now to claim abundant rewards💎🎁		Ragnarok Origin: ROO EN		12038	https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALRagnarokOriginROO/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436621	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437994	1732022967		1782																										final-rest.com	Shop Now			DCO	Be Ready For This Season With Final Rest	{{product.description}}	https://final-rest.com/			1.3129480446767E+14	Final Rest	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462855160_1484367038931229_2921368040944328170_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hRkI671KIfkQ7kNvgE9DuQx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYBc0uyhujUuZ89yzEL9ypkjTgBTPyQg95SMSCgK-JHLcQ&oe=6739896A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Be ready and steady for this season with the Final Rest. Options for any situation.		Final Rest		9881	https://www.facebook.com/finalrestshootingsystems/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436643	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438010	1732022967		1782																										amazon.com	Download			CAROUSEL	99¢ Bestselling crime fiction	A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JW4NX1/			5.2868648390662E+14	The Book Folks	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461774604_1244842073609408_7581157158359788746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kkFnsxvaQzoQ7kNvgGCmxtz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDEI5vn1uGLfZexjxjtzs4GNdHJa-qMlJZZcDqrICD1Fg&oe=6739918D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.		The Book Folks		9499	https://www.facebook.com/thebookfolks/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436650	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/27/24, 8:30 PM	1731438012	1732761009		1782																										amazon.com	Download			CAROUSEL	99¢ Bestselling crime fiction	A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JW4NX1/			5.2868648390662E+14	The Book Folks	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461774604_1244842073609408_7581157158359788746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kkFnsxvaQzoQ7kNvgGCmxtz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDEI5vn1uGLfZexjxjtzs4GNdHJa-qMlJZZcDqrICD1Fg&oe=6739918D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.		The Book Folks		9499	https://www.facebook.com/thebookfolks/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436656	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 9:21 AM	1731438017	1733325700		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/southernwindofficial			2.3159430520162E+15	Southern Wind Yachts	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461959766_1622441441668940_4274276278906520539_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wfUKHQ_DsOgQ7kNvgH1TBd1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYA5yF1Fu1hCEfI5d2R8UzjXMj33BGLxOwnnP3xWCyQ_KQ&oe=67398658	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Southern Wind Yachts		7353	https://www.facebook.com/southernwindofficial/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436658	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/27/24, 6:06 PM	1731438018	1732752402		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/southernwindofficial			2.3159430520162E+15	Southern Wind Yachts	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461959766_1622441441668940_4274276278906520539_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wfUKHQ_DsOgQ7kNvgH1TBd1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYA5yF1Fu1hCEfI5d2R8UzjXMj33BGLxOwnnP3xWCyQ_KQ&oe=67398658	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Southern Wind Yachts		7353	https://www.facebook.com/southernwindofficial/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436661	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 9:11 AM	1731438019	1733325112		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Editors' Choice		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.and.wild.sur.victory			3.4434932209339E+14	Wild Survival - Idle Tower Defense	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461516753_1510996696313293_4662883480002422367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mdA19zJeNyAQ7kNvgF6te37&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDLm70U6bbeZsBfOLWMImxaqDToECTqUqBJe4oj2NClAw&oe=67398C01	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Survive the attack		Wild Survival - Idle Tower Defense		0	https://www.facebook.com/61560814179112/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436671	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/28/24, 6:14 PM	1731438022	1732839282		1782																											Like Page			VIDEO						351687753504	Tottenham Hotspur	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461251687_881768713523435_2266148159536736377_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hXDpteAPahsQ7kNvgE-I4Zk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYAShdwN9aPbeguB3I-q0G5z9GcMzbwmE-r8K9T37Pj1UQ&oe=67397C18	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Watch the team react when we show them younger photos of themselves 👶		Tottenham Hotspur		32669599	https://www.facebook.com/TottenhamHotspur/	0		LIKE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436681	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 3:28 PM	1731438024	1733347702		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460800330_1187119802566827_7374319098870948297_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AGSergGQBoIQ7kNvgE1dvnU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYA6cVPoZCjK8zO4Ulrimrh_la9fkORmw5IL0dxM-FS93Q&oe=67398325	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436682	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 8:40 PM	1731438024	1733366429		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460732016_3857156211223677_5079971825133979416_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KY6MkCr-HekQ7kNvgGjYtAD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYBruO2reEsusiUPKgUWdbpBtoHgizilfpffYQO6_mSB3Q&oe=67399214	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436685	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/2/24, 9:17 AM	1731438025	1733152625		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-8			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460501141_876934197731200_4124606491828749248_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sg2Zvq7JX6cQ7kNvgEbjhcg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYB2MUzVQuzLz5JiQ8-hl9l558xLnLJ3XaQJMlOsM7whqg&oe=67395CEE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436694	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438029	1732022967		1782																										eligiblek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://eligiblek.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.2751294359888E+14	Eligiblek	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459635565_840874664478865_6489704614709036181_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G78z6vytzOIQ7kNvgED8sXt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYC_mEkRL5AwQKZV6to6YKx9Bt5OvRmA9NsbiTZOhDcO0A&oe=673960A1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Eligiblek		407	https://www.facebook.com/100091422456330/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436700	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438031	1732022967		1782																										walmart.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	#219 Crossbow	100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter	https://www.walmart.com/ip/Swhacker-219-Crossbow-Broadheads-2-Blade-100-Grain-1-75-Cut-Pack-of-3/37814354?from=%2Fsearch			1.2676108407726E+14	Swhacker Broadheads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459250349_1046603056841191_199755559286010371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=64zBY9KClUEQ7kNvgHW7x4L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAbyiEhYBpVje8DYJztqcs3UT0zFmIQzQpWmnWiOefYEQ&oe=67398E4B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter		Swhacker Broadheads		62899	https://www.facebook.com/swhackerbroadheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436706	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438035	1732022967		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436712	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/27/24, 1:27 PM	1731438036	1732735628		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436710	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/29/24, 7:38 AM	1731438036	1732887485		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436719	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438039	1732022967		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436726	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438043	1732022967		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437462	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 4:47 PM	1731438350	1733266048		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436741	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/6/24, 5:34 AM	1731438049	1733484844		1782																										marginatl.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://marginatl.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			2.6586142660226E+14	Marginatl	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459047042_410375062074489_4138543502592195803_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cLcAZFVVHWIQ7kNvgEzQBoB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDCZkx1sGW3j39GiE6yMRZIdwiobgZZcRrbqQfVPjdhQQ&oe=67397719	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Marginatl		200	https://www.facebook.com/61556551694523/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436757	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438056	1732022967		1782																										typicaln.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://typicaln.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.0600159913742E+14	Typicaln	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458641462_501417426169279_4906642415759168543_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YBgIV-V8TN0Q7kNvgGcYl5r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDNqYPXPtfiQGn1DLSpC37Rjf20KNxoC_9PM4ltmSV83A&oe=673962FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Typicaln		228	https://www.facebook.com/100091985941547/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436774	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438064	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436779	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 9:11 AM	1731438065	1733325086		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436786	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/28/24, 2:41 PM	1731438069	1732826509		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436785	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438068	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436791	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/28/24, 2:38 AM	1731438070	1732783095		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2436789	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 7:30 AM	1731438069	1733319059		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2436794	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438070	1732022967		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437471	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438354	1732022967		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436797	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438071	1732022967		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2436801	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/27/24, 3:11 PM	1731438072	1732741883		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437472	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438355	1732022967		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436804	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 11:57 AM	1731438073	1732903076		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437478	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438357	1732022967		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437487	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/2/24, 4:34 AM	1731438359	1733135693		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436833	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 11:10 AM	1731438088	1733073025		1782																										eligiblek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://eligiblek.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.2751294359888E+14	Eligiblek	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456020682_474055228806934_281901412153990588_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5f41ETt29AcQ7kNvgHfwyE9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB9hhUCLYMkaBaI8lY4q-y5CA9cSGK-oNg93yuAOwf0fg&oe=67395F60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Eligiblek		407	https://www.facebook.com/100091422456330/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436864	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 3:30 PM	1731438101	1733347854		1782																										www.exhibitionk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🎶⚡Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.exhibitionk.com/products/ssiu			1.1574555144115E+14	Exhibitionk.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450602142_1476089256385923_5510149743639918390_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QqKtxH1j91AQ7kNvgEndJgA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYD_YEHJjmH9LGDAmyMjuI_fxwdKDeBYUZG7yPsx50TNBg&oe=67397C85	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Exhibitionk.com		2894	https://www.facebook.com/100090650167517/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436869	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/30/24, 4:25 AM	1731438104	1732962311		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454528103_506032175173407_4302384032558607394_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iUcfVaLUS6gQ7kNvgH1tcEW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYDN8GaiMRoL2NndLtQr2cZxsSFwttU9u3_U2Osfja0LMg&oe=673988B8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436867	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 2:08 AM	1731438103	1733040503		1782																										www.othertwise.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.othertwise.com/products/sunglasses			3.0113173975202E+14	Othertwise	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454413939_518270207325875_7834195827380010144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vzygv3IT9IIQ7kNvgH3x43V&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYAw1et4XTwOZfGzxb-CmWjHgthnus2FaMNcFmH1g2DEbA&oe=6739694B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Othertwise		1304	https://www.facebook.com/61558970535680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436881	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 7:32 PM	1731438110	1733103163		1782																										www.handnoean.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Wireless Calling Ultraviolet-proof Sunglasses		https://www.handnoean.com/products/wireless-calling-ultraviolet-proof-sunglasses			1.4581026529045E+14	Handnoean.	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454261339_369929666139573_7297254628601870255_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aq-XXvDo4FgQ7kNvgEJ-S-N&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYCZwTrZ1k5HXn33bxdFW5ols914RCBCytIouOQQbo8OxA&oe=67398A97	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🔥Wireless Calling Ultraviolet-proof Sunglasses for Summer, ✅HIFI Sound & HD Lens Headset Glasses Built-in Headphones, ✅Music Speaker, 😎BT Cool Tech Gadgets for Men Women, 🎁Back to School Gifts.		Handnoean.		904	https://www.facebook.com/61553623431645/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437498	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 12:08 PM	1731438365	1732730894		1782																										amazon.com	Shop now			IMAGE	Fly-X-Treme		https://www.amazon.com/Bug-Gun-Hunting-Crossbow-Fly-X-Treme/dp/B0BRSCQXRL			1.0458501273476E+14	Fly-X-Treme	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433908866_7194219307340711_4650076348565346822_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d_CxCmWUa8QQ7kNvgHiOqQb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDmioFMOasPp7JdyfSuEKSpvxLA7EsHQJF95WUVtceXKg&oe=6739739D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Crossbow Bug Pistol: This bug shooter gun was designed with the purist fly hunter in mind.		Fly-X-Treme		266	https://www.facebook.com/100095261450512/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437504	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 11:10 PM	1731438365	1733116224		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1084930849			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433465642_441333268235000_1045342548688800526_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yPqm6g1yHfYQ7kNvgEenK4t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDwfFtvUTZ-w63dpA7_NuMCzcwYlzuqv4Yxi71IoDLE2Q&oe=67397B72	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436886	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/28/24, 10:00 PM	1731438112	1732852836		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436890	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 11:03 AM	1731438113	1733331785		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436888	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 7:28 PM	1731438112	1733362113		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436896	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 1:47 PM	1731438114	1733168863		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436898	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 2:18 PM	1731438115	1733343512		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436901	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438116	1732022967		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453878090_1010875624154371_2971472870602485126_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-iWoPmjydzEQ7kNvgH_M-OR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYCPyhCsQMFStD0SXur6hm0ekTBfhVqO4SUhIwV2foSMLA&oe=67397B55	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Start with a small skeleton, automatically attack the enemy, cool!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436911	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438121	1732022967		1782																										www.youtube.com	Sign up			VIDEO	D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 122: Interview with a Vampire.		http://www.youtube.com/			2.2884553439139E+14	7 Sided Die	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453506174_1267331054243699_2081163065066132491_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v0ls9a1UvW8Q7kNvgFVs-so&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDxA7sweWNGvL1WOX7P8oXmx67033PxPXKdMWNdpDU5vQ&oe=67399158	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 122: Interview with a Vampire. D&D Live Stream Thank you for checking out 7 Sided Die (7SD)! This is one of our live streamed games! We're a group of gamers. Some of us are military, some are in construction, IT, others retail managers, a few are parents, and still others are students, etc. So, we're just everyday people who stream live strictly for fun! We hope you enjoy our stream nonetheless! We stream our some of games on - - YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/7SidedDie, - Twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/7SidedDie, - Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/7-Sided-Die-228845534391387/ - X at https://x.com/7_sided_Die, - KICK page at https://kick.com/7-sided-die, - and occasionally Trovo page at https://trovo.live/s/7SidedDie/224125104. Our streams are archived indefinitely on YouTube, Facebook, X, and as permitted by the level (Streamer, Affiliate, Partner, etc.) on Twitch, Kick and Trovo. Again, thank you for checking us out, and "Roll a 7 sided die!" '7 Sided Die is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Wizards of the Coast's Fan Content Policy is located here: https://company.wizards.com/en/legal/fancontentpolicy. Neither 7 Sided Die, the Carpathian Adventure nor any of 7 Sided Die's streams and videos are approved or endorsed by Wizards or Wizards of the Coast. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Some background music courtesy Syrinscape. ©Syrinscape. (Some) "Music and Sound by Syrinscape. "Syrinscape under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. More info here: creativecommons.org/licenses/" https://syrinscape.com/faq/ "Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound." Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/ 7SD 7SidedDie "7 Sided Die" 7_Sided_Die "Seven Sided Die" Seven_Sided_Die DnD D&D "dnd stories" "d&d stories" "dnd gameplay" "d&d gameplay" "dnd campaign" "d&d campaign" "dnd podcast" "d&d podcast" "Dungeons & Dragons" "Dungeons and Dragons" "DnD stream" "D&D stream" "DnD live stream" "D&D live stream" "Dungeons & Dragons stream" "Dungeons and Dragons stream" "D&D tips" "DnD tips" 5e "5th edition" Carpathia Carpathian "Carpathian Adventure" "Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard" GoaGG "Ximen Vall" "Ximén Vall" "Naldo Renzi" Ximén Balder "Alderic Westerbach" "Pandor Spocks" "Micolash Dolion" "Gelila Bemnet" "Borinth Ursus Spalaeus" "The Baron" "Mátyás Báthory" "Matyas Bathory" RPG "Role Playing Game" Tabletop "Table top" "Tabletop RPG" "How to play D&D" "Tom Jr" "Tom Frickanisce Jr" "Rainer Frickanisce" 7SD, 7SidedDie, 7 Sided Die, 7_Sided_Die, Seven Sided Die", Seven_Sided_Die, DnD, D&D, dnd stories, d&d stories. dnd gameplay, d&d gameplay, dnd campaign, d&d campaign, dnd podcast, d&d podcast, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, DnD stream, D&D stream, DnD live stream, D&D live stream, Dungeons & Dragons stream, Dungeons and Dragons stream, D&D tips, DnD tips, 5e, 5th edition, Carpathia, Carpathian, Carpathian Adventure, Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard, GoaGG, Ximen Vall, Ximén Vall, Ximén, Naldo Renzi Balder, Pandora Spocks, Alderic Westerbach, Micolash Dolion, Gelila Bemnet, Borinth Ursus Spalaeus, The Baron, Mátyás Báthory, Matyas Bathory, RPG, Role Playing Game, Tabletop, Table top, Tabletop RPG, How to play D&D, Tom Jr, Tom Frickanisce Jr, Rainer Frickanisce,		7 Sided Die		486	https://www.facebook.com/100067198293097/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436918	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 8:47 PM	1731438123	1733366822		1782																										www.deflctrpy.com	Shop now			VIDEO	(🔥HOT SALE - 49%OFF)-Smart Wireless Headphone Glasses		https://www.deflctrpy.com/products/sunglasses?variant=20752			2.7495767236609E+14	Deflctrpy	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453385075_1171179077464124_5866695680341037382_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZALTsik5FIMQ7kNvgH5Bcsu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYAWXa6ZqdjJa7Nn88p8a5WyvyJddZmeLa5BDOhy6HFX1g&oe=673972EF	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔥 Your daily life essentials Buy here：https://t.site/4f8KLj3				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436926	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438126	1732022967		1782																											Send message			VIDEO	I AM A SOLDIER					1.0968931556752E+14	Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453405178_459947726810117_8731445382202552758_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0w7xI1xjfnUQ7kNvgEHJa76&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYD8_WXNK7WZ_4gtPyh4gtRly_ufs_pswWpBuo663NFYPQ&oe=6739622F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Do you know who was the first emperor in Chinese history? The episode "I am a soldier" shows the destiny of his soldiers, but also the bravery that has been passed on for 2,000 years. Let's find out more about him and his soldiers. #AmazingTreasures		Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum		98909	https://www.facebook.com/EmperorQinshihuangMausoleumSiteMuseum/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436930	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/2/24, 8:03 PM	1731438128	1733191425		1782																										www.susceptiblet.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🌈🌈2024 Upgrade Bluetooth Sunglasses. Suitable for all mobile phones.		https://www.susceptiblet.com/products/bluetooth-sunglasses			1.020874294717E+14	Susceptiblet	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453067564_465913479695689_3706000878948815219_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bmye0N7CLMQQ7kNvgFe5fmy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYA6GSdNEbkw7wOy5za1fJ5HfhKycNXoNRgOxpV7nQBxaw&oe=67397BAA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Susceptiblet		1056	https://www.facebook.com/100089761341360/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436933	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438130	1732022967		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452930426_863766532330599_8532924661005366098_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uuxnLxa7s_cQ7kNvgFrMUsr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYDcinSNy5y4sev4tgmss31OTu0Lu7vAxzFEtiotUgXzeg&oe=673967AE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Become a legend and start your adventure now!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436941	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/30/24, 8:03 PM	1731438133	1733018612		1782																										cake-toss.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Free-Hand Cool Try✨		https://cake-toss.com/products/smart-wireless-headphone-sunglasses			1.0296467910932E+14	Cake-toss.au	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453003402_1189527902191208_297182469774500353_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=olwxW0fduU8Q7kNvgEo5DKp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYDIyRdQCAokNcUaLxp4hbut0jaNzJI0R3YsPNZM9QuPlQ&oe=67396BF7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music!		Cake-toss.au		2867	https://www.facebook.com/100083001115164/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436948	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 8:40 AM	1731438137	1733323211		1782																										www.ascertainy.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.ascertainy.com/products/sunglasses			1.0519344238164E+14	Ascertainy	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452508624_873909957885621_962863918110392720_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2HP9ntfUKnoQ7kNvgGe2pNo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYAPmGRjJi-clDnInXdDMif2Url9D8WYurABkF_-1Y_F_w&oe=67395C28	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. Buy here：https://t.site/3LIkPx3		Ascertainy		1776	https://www.facebook.com/100086436146727/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436954	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 8:45 AM	1731438139	1733323527		1782																										www.llytabulate.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.llytabulate.com/products/sunglasses			2.4059635247897E+14	Llytabulate	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451058106_1191124905361118_4625356359326131068_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jKwAh6sZa9gQ7kNvgHJ0u4W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYB6pCroa88q28PWpaA48JAHbin_CG25jsJ-nLC71UYKLQ&oe=67399223	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶️This Bluetooth sun glasses go crazy 🔥🔥Wireless Bluetooth connection,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨👉https://www.llytabulate.com/products/sunglasses		Llytabulate		1347	https://www.facebook.com/61557153490842/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436963	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/2/24, 4:38 AM	1731438142	1733135907		1782																										www.asaruley.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.asaruley.com/products/sunglasses			1.1099319167762E+14	Asaruley	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452332310_814072580828878_1395519127033267669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y1SpNJj_gQAQ7kNvgHT1Mn_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYBRPLv9fd1jKw4i1PZy1pGJktjXHXPLPz2_HxDcASpChQ&oe=67398FB7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Asaruley		1618	https://www.facebook.com/100083219030456/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436961	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/2/24, 3:44 PM	1731438141	1733175870		1782																										www.asaruley.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.asaruley.com/products/sunglasses			1.1099319167762E+14	Asaruley	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452332310_814072580828878_1395519127033267669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Y1SpNJj_gQAQ7kNvgHT1Mn_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYBRPLv9fd1jKw4i1PZy1pGJktjXHXPLPz2_HxDcASpChQ&oe=67398FB7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Asaruley		1618	https://www.facebook.com/100083219030456/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436965	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438142	1732022967		1782																										passion-happyhours.com	Shop now			VIDEO	passion-happyhours		https://passion-happyhours.com/products/sunglasses			1.0319093920915E+14	Passion-happyhours.ph	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452371408_1144604580162008_1207029227944671856_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=raqeMt7qaXoQ7kNvgFmjYxP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYCFSogDV6GhOxKp-Gg9vJDnX-pmqLv7OuJxWT1LOmmV6w&oe=67396CEA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Passion-happyhours.ph		5357	https://www.facebook.com/100085622500948/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436991	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438156	1732022967		1782																										decorcery.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Decorcery		https://decorcery.com/products/sunglasses-2			3.4547733864229E+14	Decorcery	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451702882_451939320974444_2058495836440350733_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zfUzWOPvlgUQ7kNvgGGS3Pq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYArn3QFtGOid84F9-1cvAMKk2QDP3dwwydIEQ6jrtZfrw&oe=67395BEB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩These bluetooth sunglasses are SO cool! You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🎶#sunglasses #bluetooth #smartglasses #bluetoothsunglasses		Decorcery		2741	https://www.facebook.com/61560469103981/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437004	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/29/24, 4:27 AM	1731438160	1732876068		1782																										www.brighodew.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.brighodew.com/products/sunglasses-2			2.7851038533951E+14	B righodew.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451484849_911289337710318_4873640023952093715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UOFU9AXcPesQ7kNvgF6Z25V&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYBVCcIqMxsswoyTtwXARXLoPhGV9AItLzE4byVMY4UA7A&oe=67397F83	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		B righodew.com		2792	https://www.facebook.com/61557897505943/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437615	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 1:16 AM	1731438397	1733296600		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436788	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	4/5/25, 9:09 AM	1731438069	1743862180		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436935	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:14 AM	1731438131	1733303686		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453077599_1060352562129060_2372081274299333299_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y1XbnQ-g0FIQ7kNvgGivDB_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYANBxG9XwNxB0jylPyuJg_WcooJ3E3Qq8xpgh1O0wCTEw&oe=67397A7F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Become a legend and start your adventure now!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436358	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 3:32 AM	1731437886	1733304738		1782																										householdhacks.site	Learn more			VIDEO	Check Eligibility 👉		https://householdhacks.site/sopes-with-beans-recipe			4.8127932506531E+14	Coupon Master	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465782894_431896683028515_2935742137771929728_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1-PbBNuUPgwQ7kNvgGiPjXH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCjLpbHw9isl5DG5bZ7iBaUR7MFC8Q8mv2sUhgEpyU2TQ&oe=67396706	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're seeing this, great job! Please take a short survey to apply for your opportunity 🎊✅		Coupon Master		7	https://www.facebook.com/61567779845369/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436914	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:17 AM	1731438122	1733303839		1782																										www.stabilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses	🚚Shipping Worldwide	https://www.stabilizek.com/products/wireless-sunglasses			2.5999293719178E+14	Stabilizek-B	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453751678_507096268398710_999949175693691871_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7pigCs7VL5YQ7kNvgGO1iCK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYAPtVgypvXdOaHVdFpaOwPsJ24tdfU4tW8jB8j2K9-vgQ&oe=673965DA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Stabilizek-B		73	https://www.facebook.com/61556655315507/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437701	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 4:13 AM	1731438420	1733307211		1782																										musiccityarchery.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	For All Your Archery Needs		http://musiccityarchery.com/			7.4702195870935E+14	Music City Archery	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422264410_752229343444243_7706606627779637779_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F0lOZZuybYoQ7kNvgHBKSPf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAyxL-jquihUAKMoRJawQCQPDqO0Mi2O-PzDRQR-3n5Aw&oe=67398387	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Music City Archery		2617	https://www.facebook.com/musiccityarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437544	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 4:23 AM	1731438376	1733307828		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436520	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 3:12 PM	1731437955	1733519532		1782																										budk.com	Shop Now			DCO	Hit Your Mark with The Toothpick Launcher 🏹	Delivers pinpoint accuracy	https://www.budk.com/Toothpick-Launcher-Crossbow-Functional-Toy-Metal-S-51819/51819.html			1.517553146784E+14	BUDK Gifts	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464822799_858911512898773_7620503460179528546_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt2NMrzyO4Q7kNvgGTrQAu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCgETbeFzRmKWQ1Bbyr_xjk3l8ojG8-pRkbefR9YjKa5g&oe=67395AF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ready, Aim, Fire! Have Fun and Show Off Your Precision Shooting with Our Toothpick Launcher Crossbow 🎯		BUDK Gifts		1311	https://www.facebook.com/61551819670022/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437493	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 7:03 PM	1731438362	1733101410		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437195	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 7:00 AM	1731438237	1733317228		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444139931_1601522330672576_5683509307933696079_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mx4SIvK-fBkQ7kNvgFyVmz5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYAvA-x75XIm-bUzrE7ITz8WUKDxifMFWA0OED8gjZUvSQ&oe=67396284	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436528	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 2:26 PM	1731437959	1733516809		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fzcq.wzcqand			1.037540094099E+14	Marfa Dungeon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464706960_1100210761728646_2275171153791350852_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hJqE8jVNr0wQ7kNvgHNxNon&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCDTId2lTKsP7eyuuNqzO8y7ardSZWWFrvlV1eWnwOZTg&oe=67399026	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Adventure awaits in a land where magic and myth collide.		Marfa Dungeon		105	https://www.facebook.com/100093061515828/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437156	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/6/24, 2:34 PM	1731438217	1733517267		1782																										lumenok.com	Learn More			DCO	Lighted Nock Selector	{{product.description}}	https://lumenok.com/pages/nock-selector?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Facebook_Insta_Nock+Selector&utm_campaign=Nock_Selector_Social_Ad			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393501653_1971134739939628_5368681016984060141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBd8kqnE5I4Q7kNvgFpIA3Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAsCbL9cs921D91mfQAs3ukaELaJBVyhh3MxAVhtm8tOg&oe=67398A22	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Don't know what size nock you need? Head over to the nock selector & find the EXACT nock for your arrow.		Lumenok		166155	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436802	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 4:36 AM	1731438072	1733308589		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437108	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	6/28/25, 2:05 PM	1731438197	1751137558		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/the_artifact_armory			2.0444567276281E+14	the_artifact_armory	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/434065017_916149810517293_3946055406223079127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=jpr7v6BPfDkQ7kNvgGRU0dk&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAQldWZcCPNG2O-l3mNLT9hgucmg1P5e80gp8lOlE_dsA&oe=673986FD	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				the_artifact_armory		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/the_artifact_armory	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437070	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 7:28 AM	1731438182	1733318915		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437074	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 7:19 AM	1731438183	1733318377		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436829	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 7:50 AM	1731438084	1733320211		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			IMAGE	💎Claim 100 million diamonds as a free gift!💎		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6498546774			1.6201571366244E+14	Game Recommender	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455864806_1013794306897326_6020775508370815806_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UZtEtDX0sh8Q7kNvgGELQQ6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYDQmPe1p3KJsFJQwSo_N4EC4TVHxjc5YqBiYGZ8EJcw3g&oe=67396AE2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		💪The official release of AAA MMORPG with awards and bonuses.🎁 🗡️ Western martial arts ⚔️ 💎Download and claim 100 million diamonds as a free gift!💎		Game Recommender		34	https://www.facebook.com/61552908255810/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436600	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	5/26/25, 7:36 AM	1731437985	1748262964		1782																										www.Lumenok.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL			https://lumenok.com/?utm_source=FacebookAd&utm_medium=FacebookAd&utm_campaign=Fall_Sales_FB&utm_id=Lum_Fall_Sales			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462910868_879921630777136_1522242753515071300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HC7KLT4aTt8Q7kNvgGLv1vu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDOl8A3L1wIn5Xqas10FIEjeuC6flR-0hjILaPLgOtESA&oe=6739779B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Lumenok		166154	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437698	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 8:05 AM	1731438419	1733321109		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Zombies are coming！		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ddup.zombiewaves.zw			1.058105990972E+14	ZW-Shooting Game	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428503942_923884975719354_5477108965959599606_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ojyUCF5HJ-MQ7kNvgGDuypK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYDHSwQ4id5S4_6lYEqLbb5fqCfvjaMdbFsvJdcjYj54hA&oe=67398125	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		How Long Can You Survive? 👉 😱😱 Can You Survive The Next!🙏		ZW-Shooting Game		47	https://www.facebook.com/100090268868472/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437008	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	4/25/25, 8:20 PM	1731438162	1745630416		1782																										www.landmeawhil.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.landmeawhil.com/products/sunglasses-2?variant=124671			1.160509914699E+14	Landmeawhil US	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450683982_370714256126120_8512281228638073669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BJnEI4D950oQ7kNvgH3ZYRi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYA8Ws8Uqhd0Qdn3m58cGeKDiVkPbfPTqH6LzUgZvk7OHw&oe=673964B6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Landmeawhil US		773	https://www.facebook.com/100091809597177/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436214	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 9:42 AM	1731437825	1733326953		1782																										https://crosstheroadplay.biz/?	Play game			VIDEO			https://crosstheroadplay.biz/?fbp=911705417451831&sub2=sub2&sub3=PL&sub4=C370&sub5=us&sub6=92070214&key=4414pmcmckys5j6f7unb			1.4628872189803E+14	Crоss Thе Roаd	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466387021_546570371560040_2921621084139324534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Kn_EZHGvBKoQ7kNvgHggciB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYBeHIITaCO4WJLHOC87UUM7kDVHmC9d3Op0FWGiBVq6HA&oe=67396CE9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The best game of 2024!!! Try it ASAP 🤩🥳		Crоss Thе Roаd		0	https://www.facebook.com/61552559660910/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437026	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	4/1/25, 12:01 AM	1731438167	1743483707		1782																										www.fightsolong.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Fightsolong		https://www.fightsolong.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.4704195849414E+14	Fightsolong	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451378852_448893394233541_3292820980887715350_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sxkab3tPHHMQ7kNvgEyB_Hw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYCGpKSFQd9fgAhTkRQsu2XWdECdZ4aFA553LCdvzXO7Kg&oe=67398AEF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Fightsolong		1454	https://www.facebook.com/61552757300742/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437019	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/24/24, 10:18 PM	1731438165	1732508325		1782																										www.secretaryi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥Hot Sale - Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.secretaryi.com/products/sunglasses-3			1.3075141679636E+14	Secretaryiunderwear	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451640897_1653796555459375_9127367911160030436_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1qe1CBTMyEoQ7kNvgG4G7eZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYC8Cw5M0OSmRT6hy9JOr2Cc0fq9jkPt9-PdA-7R90jyFQ&oe=673974ED	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎🎶🔊The smart glasses have built-in Mic and speakers. You can go hands-free when taking calls thanks to a discreet omnidirectional mic built into its frame or enjoy your music.		Secretaryiunderwear		402	https://www.facebook.com/61552707142822/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437130	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/30/24, 2:52 PM	1731438207	1732999975		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://pocketpromo.site/?key=7ibq7rzhyt45ud7ttwwq&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3521339968266E+14	Ravin for everyone	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448928536_452687324297395_6867880873781163749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4K2SRrah54EQ7kNvgHoDmnQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYANM6Itmp7beKGfTFzh9avNnqdx5lJqPONxlW7LMNHZBg&oe=67397462	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Hunting Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 🤗 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/55y2yf45		Ravin for everyone		25	https://www.facebook.com/61561353158058/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436957	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/1/24, 7:48 PM	1731438140	1733104102		1782																										www.hairbally.com	Shop now			VIDEO	SUMMER HOT SALE		https://www.hairbally.com/products/sunglasses			1.0772443545624E+14	Hairbally-store	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452419635_1177997573408394_5853131060540048185_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5ub7B6kVpJ8Q7kNvgHjjqDf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYDEg752a1utD8W1f9__CAblwb2AScWHW647G516hzmFZQ&oe=6739828F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Hairbally-store		1623	https://www.facebook.com/100086632756415/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437095	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 9:59 AM	1731438192	1733327970		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437524	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/17/24, 3:50 AM	1731438371	1734429019		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437024	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/25/24, 12:00 AM	1731438167	1732514438		1782																										www.competentn.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.competentn.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.1558861812434E+14	Competentn.shop	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451442738_1012931650485211_8965167266989424107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MzRkB0H4z3oQ7kNvgHlJJZm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYAbrEIFQkFFb-XM1D13rbBRFdcuaNbbnPK4weTqOm9D5w&oe=67398BE9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Competentn.shop		653	https://www.facebook.com/100090647228613/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437300	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/30/24, 5:13 AM	1731438280	1732965193		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437724011_960421695526729_1516574307485338648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zsVAa9QDgssQ7kNvgHlW2QM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYBtKT6qxcphFDfOMKt1OfY1wWCIvdHB-uOlpbvo3awNLQ&oe=673972F9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437088	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	3/28/25, 8:04 PM	1731438189	1743210287		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436616	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	1/15/25, 1:37 PM	1731437992	1736948224		1782																										final-rest.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Upgrade Your Stability With Final Rest	Final Rest Shooting Systems are on the cutting edge of gun and crossbow shooting rest technology. We offer versatile shooting rest platforms for any hunting situation whether it be hunting from a box blind, a ladder stand, or from a popup blind.	https://final-rest.com/			1.3129480446767E+14	Final Rest	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450453614_865728488736680_8664140625284950038_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=shbo6F-C8bYQ7kNvgEx9biM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYB29i2LCvSl8Eo4VueK_PG6xYLHrXN3cbrD36Ej-wrcSg&oe=67398EEA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Upgrade your stability with the most innovative rests on the market! Options for any hunt.		Final Rest		9881	https://www.facebook.com/finalrestshootingsystems/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436737	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	1/15/25, 5:43 PM	1731438048	1736962980		1782																										typicaln.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://typicaln.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0600159913742E+14	Typicaln	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458795946_8188440587912761_8985161253087562046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JX-ptsZSsUsQ7kNvgF8-xOj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYC0bGl5wfBM1XRLM_YbGHnfLsjtGGvazQbzzAx_Od_CGg&oe=6739775C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Typicaln		228	https://www.facebook.com/100091985941547/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436677	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 11:28 AM	1731438023	1733333338		1782																										eligiblek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://eligiblek.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.2751294359888E+14	Eligiblek	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460972578_1039377221261033_618963587911217406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Kej8rj5LgMQ7kNvgGAEnyd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDrcsXq5HYq4hKElPqFtogv9eUOCOb97JRNI5Sd542Fpw&oe=6739637C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Eligiblek		407	https://www.facebook.com/100091422456330/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437203	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 2:27 PM	1731438239	1733344023		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445365579_802045058523378_1313797933381863154_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=S19s3OWdsGwQ7kNvgE_7c_m&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYC991Hlwf2V9cXHErf2hSqh86CXgLdKeH7XaCxnDj73Qg&oe=6739887E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Why is this game so fun?! Play Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436489	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 2:51 PM	1731437944	1733345504		1782																										bowspider.com	Learn More			DCO	Carry your bow hands-free!	Durable. Lightweight. Versatile. Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty.	http://www.bowspider.com/			1.9908162145463E+15	BowSpider	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464955505_578195384725123_7334580438216482946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A-TiLxP9Z2IQ7kNvgH2yvtU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCwnTU-sB0fh3pvTh4dtmA3JKu08CRBTm0zxkQC-eq0aw&oe=67395D2C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎯 Archers, get ready for a hands-free experience! Bow Spider is coming to Colorado @ TAC this weekend. Go hands-free with our innovative device and take your archery game to the next level! Find us online or at one of our nationwide retailers near you: www.bowspider.com		BowSpider		10690	https://www.facebook.com/bowspider/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436454	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 2:53 PM	1731437929	1733345602		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Brand new for 2024 these shawl vests are hand made from start to finish.	{{product.description}}	https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464974574_1641279966426053_8672094697025660444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iAPDKuUpbQQQ7kNvgFkd50T&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDFywRFojS-4CG_ZlDYMteJt_UiDA2drY-UBTJbJIcFuQ&oe=67396753	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437243	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	7/4/25, 4:24 AM	1731438258	1751621083		1782																										icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://icefacibuy.top/products/bluevibe?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			1.0751615495796E+14	Novedades y Mochilas Guille	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441063045_1164500861387944_1580494511453171511_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pBq_A-xmCbYQ7kNvgEDwoO_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYA-3CbPK72s43gAyiNzmnJjIHlfJg9rihuEr2d9hloSCQ&oe=67397261	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Novedades y Mochilas Guille		88	https://www.facebook.com/100024874876967/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436386	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/30/24, 4:05 PM	1731437901	1733004333		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436610	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/30/24, 4:10 PM	1731437991	1733004613		1782																											Send message			IMAGE	An epic war between dragonriders and gods...					1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462912093_541876521553981_732751128369666504_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=THTH93_VIdcQ7kNvgGhxhBV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDBN1Ydjz9OK0NvfM2oXtPdmMAusVcQjdQMGY1dfKs8mA&oe=6739665B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The battle boomed around us in a dark, deadly symphony. I took to my dragon’s saddle with my blade still gripped in one hand. Working my feet down into the deep leather pockets on either side of Blite’s strong neck, I slipped my sword back into its sheath and reached for the saddle handles. I just prayed we weren’t too late. My commander, Jaevid, and his dragon still flew in the lead. His massive blue drake, a temperamental monster he’d named Mavrik, gave a rallying cry like a roll of thunder. It made my dragon’s hide shiver. My heart beat like a war hammer in my chest as we veered in perfect formation over the sea of dark armor and war machines still churning below. Lines of dragonfire still burned high, but even as hard as we had fought so far, it didn’t look like we had made much of a dent in our enemy’s ranks. Curse it. No time to let up now. I spotted more allies, dragonriders flying in groups of three, approaching. Heh. Well, that made two formations. Good odds for any dragonrider. And we had trained nonstop for years for this very moment. “We are going to carve a path for the airship to descend and pick up our allies in the courtyard,” Jaevid communicated back, using the dragonrider code of hand signals. “Primary targets are ground war machines. Make it hurt.” I signaled my agreement. Squeezing my legs tighter to Blite’s side, I twisted the saddle handles to send him signals, steering in perfect synchronization with Jaevid’s dragon, Mavrik, to begin our assault run. The commander must have had some sort of exchange about this already with the other riders because they immediately led their two wingends on a similar pass coming in the opposite direction so we would cross midway over the battlefield. Excellent. Blite snapped his wings in tight as we dove down, falling like a flock of speeding falcons, and zoomed over the advancing line of enemy war machines. Catapults burned. Trebuchets toppled as their ropes and cables snapped. Soldiers ran like scared cockroaches. War beasts bucked and tried to flee, their saddles and armor already ablaze. Only a few enemy soldiers even dared fire at us, using everything they had. Arrows and crossbow bolts zipped past, a few even pinging off Blite’s armored chest. Fortunately, none seemed to pierce his scaly hide, and he slicked his little ears back and hissed in defiance as we broke skyward again. Suddenly, Mavrik let out a roar of alarm as a huge net made of thick metal cables whipped through the air, heading straight for us. He shot upward with one beat of his mighty wings. Blite saw it, too ... A second too late. Oh gods, it was going to hit us! I cringed, bracing for impact. With a defiant roar, a huge blue-scaled blur flashed between the incoming net and us, so fast I had no time to react. Mavrik screeched in rage as the net wrapped around one of his wings and hind legs, tangling immediately with weighed ends spinning and wrapping around him. Wh-What? He’d intentionally taken that hit? For me?! The king drake fell, roaring and still beating his one free wing, as he plummeted from the sky straight down toward the roiling mass of enemy soldiers below. He would hit hard. He’d land right in the middle of a block of enemy soldiers. NO! Slamming my hands against the saddle handles, I yelled a curse and ordered Blite to dive after him. I had to do something—I had to save my commander. Even if it meant paying the ultimate price … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436977	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/30/24, 4:13 PM	1731438149	1733004821		1782																										www.principlte.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.principlte.com/products/sunglasses			1.2594843061022E+14	Principlte	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452002019_1159692011750041_7561926074707628221_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wPuFdXBl1_8Q7kNvgHklFLx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYD79MdfRORCOjl8UUDYhmVct8qpxfHlJ5-JIGP65lcpRA&oe=67398875	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. https://t.site/4bMNM5S		Principlte		420	https://www.facebook.com/61552173692426/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437153	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/7/24, 9:44 AM	1731438216	1733586250		1782																										lumenok.com	Learn More			DCO	Lighted Nock Selector	{{product.description}}	https://lumenok.com/pages/nock-selector?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Facebook_Insta_Nock+Selector&utm_campaign=Nock_Selector_Social_Ad			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393501653_1971134739939628_5368681016984060141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBd8kqnE5I4Q7kNvgFpIA3Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAsCbL9cs921D91mfQAs3ukaELaJBVyhh3MxAVhtm8tOg&oe=67398A22	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Don't know what size nock you need? Head over to the nock selector & find the EXACT nock for your arrow.		Lumenok		166155	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437023	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/17/25, 5:06 AM	1731438167	1737112016		1782																										www.secretaryi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥Hot Sale - Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.secretaryi.com/products/sunglasses-3			1.3075141679636E+14	Secretaryiunderwear	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451432214_510195858199726_8911546573756536612_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QhziRtU_K3sQ7kNvgF0Ff14&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYBr51k_y6EoFiurPIByBFC21RDr65AVzkINI89ahWdWEQ&oe=673972CF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it.		Secretaryiunderwear		402	https://www.facebook.com/61552707142822/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437233	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/7/24, 12:25 PM	1731438255	1733595937		1782																										www.bootstounrap.top	Learn more			VIDEO	Choose it, embrace your powerful moments!		https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			2.5077746146194E+14	Caroline Gomez	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442473422_296590016856180_7608366046541999719_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jkUi-G6B9ZIQ7kNvgG_JOkj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYBHX0ICjBDaJ-i6ypcjtE8nyFnroJhMXANKz3rOLRhe3Q&oe=67396CA6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		One drop unleashes male potential! ⚡️Unique formula, fully unleashes male energy. Choose it, embrace your powerful moments! https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Caroline Gomez		37	https://www.facebook.com/61559259991872/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437640	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	1/17/25, 11:08 PM	1731438404	1737176923		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436335	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/9/24, 8:10 AM	1731437877	1733753418		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437634	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/9/24, 9:14 AM	1731438401	1733757284		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436360	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/2/24, 12:49 PM	1731437887	1733165357		1782																										pacbow.com	Learn more			IMAGE			https://pacbow.com/			1.1240211221106E+14	Pac Bow Archery	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465784157_1104154771438904_6475724727255866207_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_QC4YS4ZXF0Q7kNvgFZJwfT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAT-LP0Mtf9QoLOXBuyzJDB1wJhII0FvuVTIlDfACABqQ&oe=67398AA2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The "Super" Butt Target has a proven 19-year track record of saving ranges maintenance time and replacement costs. This large archery target is a solid one-piece unit that provides unmatched durability over its counterparts. It’s truly one of the best archery targets in the industry. Get your 6-pack while you can! 👉 https://bit.ly/3irftbr		Pac Bow Archery		639	https://www.facebook.com/Pacbowarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437127	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 3:54 PM	1731438205	1733349256		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	🎁Mysterious gift code: Freegear, Goldcoins	Wonderful MMO game, come and experience it!	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ifun.google.lco			3.2255850761292E+14	Light of Chaos：MMO RPG	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448864178_1446674599296505_7647087853688603438_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=puEdQsEQ6PIQ7kNvgGlKUpi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYBXI4pB36DXJcL_-tQSXFxhma0HDceCpHk3KX-ftyCdLA&oe=673977FF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😭Apologies to all players! Give rare gifts! 🎁Gift code: FREEVIP, FREE777 ✨Real open world MMO game		Light of Chaos：MMO RPG		763	https://www.facebook.com/61560598410082/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437621	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 4:27 AM	1731438398	1733048876		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437012	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/18/25, 10:46 AM	1731438164	1737218774		1782																										www.certainow.com	Learn more			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.certainow.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.1101367504993E+14	Certainow-LL	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451479254_445726681625814_7567793795253087970_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CsYnZNFuVGwQ7kNvgGbqHfd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYAMqa4N7lfV22r8ST69G88XJfaRH0h47J96pTNK6u5ZHA&oe=67397B18	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! https://www.certainow.com/products/sunglasses-2		Certainow-LL		2427	https://www.facebook.com/100084719409373/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437650	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/30/24, 3:06 PM	1731438406	1733000790		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437632	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/30/24, 10:24 PM	1731438400	1733027075		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436807	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 9:15 PM	1731438074	1733109307		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-6			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457664064_842899101279360_6403448298589237588_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5NcBAi--jpwQ7kNvgEPMVNB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYCODwBALO36uqzinoR4SVhdQQI4nBQvCZPgtVaqb_VLaA&oe=6739728F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436660	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/9/24, 11:36 AM	1731438018	1733765792		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/southernwindofficial			2.3159430520162E+15	Southern Wind Yachts	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461959766_1622441441668940_4274276278906520539_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wfUKHQ_DsOgQ7kNvgH1TBd1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYA5yF1Fu1hCEfI5d2R8UzjXMj33BGLxOwnnP3xWCyQ_KQ&oe=67398658	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Southern Wind Yachts		7353	https://www.facebook.com/southernwindofficial/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437118	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/30/24, 10:25 PM	1731438201	1733027127		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://pocketpromo.site/?key=4zjlpr00q52ezbv7cw4t&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.6134322372702E+14	Crossbows For you	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449444088_842281217331266_2611702439119918610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-mPURjvPxXwQ7kNvgE6XTyk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYAzsga_LbwvLYrw0P94_E8SEEFLHW_xXVqYyKu2Hd_CHA&oe=673966F1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/3sd6yz4t		Crossbows For you		22	https://www.facebook.com/61561749334081/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437106	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	7/7/25, 12:39 PM	1731438196	1751909973		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/the_artifact_armory			2.0444567276281E+14	the_artifact_armory	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/434065017_916149810517293_3946055406223079127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=jpr7v6BPfDkQ7kNvgGRU0dk&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAQldWZcCPNG2O-l3mNLT9hgucmg1P5e80gp8lOlE_dsA&oe=673986FD	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				the_artifact_armory		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/the_artifact_armory	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436540	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	6/3/25, 1:54 PM	1731437961	1748976896		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Defend with Strategy! 🧠🧠		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.droidhang.cy.android.google			1.9844450668344E+14	Backpack Merge	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464479235_434092996026951_7932721072021904321_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LnTO-5Yrtv4Q7kNvgFChiOo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYB1ydtRdrSa3AlVSJ_6utAWYBOMnoeSyUWflUlfcJ8cNQ&oe=6739863D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Rougelike Tower Defense🔥how many levels can you clear?⚔️⚔️		Backpack Merge		164	https://www.facebook.com/BackpackMerge/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437102	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 5:30 PM	1731438195	1733355007		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						3.4354671884169E+14	Sportsmen Target	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450071391_352482221018087_3240018138043876461_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gpXs5UY9oxoQ7kNvgEdq1Hz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBEe5sDlFGfsdlFoKOFtPi4v8HqH-uEofroPgaEpOBnxA&oe=67397B56	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🇺🇸 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰Ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren kompletten Einkauf bei @steambow !!! Wie? Ganz einfach über meinen Link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Es freut mich sehr es euch mitteilen zu dürfen!! Ich arbeite ab jetzt enger mit Steambow zusammen und kann euch einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren Einkauf geben. Ihr geht über meinen Link, macht den Einkaufswagen voll (auch Sammelbestellung) und ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf den kompletten Einkauf. Wenn ihr mich unterstützen wollt, gebt den Link gerne weiter😎👊🏽 Folgt mir für mehr!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰You get a one-time 5% discount on your entire purchase at @steambow !!! How? Quite simply via my link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I am very pleased to be able to tell you! I am now working more closely with Steambow and can give you a one-off 5% discount on your purchase. You go through my link, fill up your shopping cart (also collective order) and you will get a one-time 5% discount on the complete purchase. If you want to support me, please pass on the link Follow me for more #crossbow #crossbowshooting #crossbowlife #sport #archery #usarchery #steambow #steambowusa #steambowstinger2tactical #magpul #fabdefense #hawktuah #focus #steambowstinger #combatsports #combat #combatshoot #crossbowpistol #hunting #fishing🎣 #rabatt #custom #tactical #gun #m4 #affili ate #kryptek #vortex #discount #target #focus		Sportsmen Target		106	https://www.facebook.com/61561180437404/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2437125	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	3/17/25, 4:31 PM	1731438204	1742247073		1782																										www.icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO	❤️‍🔥 FINAL DAY: 50% OFF! ❤️‍🔥		https://www.icefacibuy.top/products/czymmms?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			3.6224233364095E+14	Dr. Ira Sharlip	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449601722_998505708081688_1395781613132559972_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=O59ZsmOwdyUQ7kNvgEsr5wn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A6oVnNmVc68eKKOFdaMs_no&oh=00_AYAiq8BVeW5SqMtntLrDuLpe9GmDWC7914KbjmoqmWjA-g&oe=67398598	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock the Power of Transformation! From caterpillar to dragon, experience a magical journey with us. ❤️		Dr. Ira Sharlip		13	https://www.facebook.com/61561535936393/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437708	1	active	11/12/24, 1:07 PM	12/4/24, 6:08 PM	1731438423	1733357282		1782																											Like Page			VIDEO						1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/302136537_1111926936122084_2173076245057580639_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C3tIvJVe5CgQ7kNvgEUYKpA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYCbYJYPfq9LeoDvPIRRcB6sN6-MGIYXKE4a-h3rJR9o_A&oe=673967F2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The Original Lighted Nock Made In The USA. At Lumenok, we didn't just create the best lighted nock. We created the entire lighted nock category.		Lumenok		166155	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		LIKE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2437046	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/21/25, 12:07 PM	1731438175	1737461224		1782																										www.vofatiponal.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.vofatiponal.com/products/sunglasses			1.1140110157406E+14	Vofatiponal	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450866637_1010334927369360_7050341611149475364_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ijgQ4d6hmAYQ7kNvgE82Mbt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYCCFjbIMCVql_NWczlNjGQkwQB5rzjxcPwEKC79E6Rb4w&oe=67397769	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection, allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Vofatiponal		10468	https://www.facebook.com/100083055172725/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436855	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 9:45 PM	1731438097	1733111159		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455026485_1003799418047986_6726316168465149521_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DAx6LnLOSsAQ7kNvgFvSdVX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB6-i11JpZQi2fbyKfN7-Vs9VqJSRYv0W7rqtaX69FqpA&oe=67395B90	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436443	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 6:42 PM	1731437923	1733359347		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437333	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	6/3/25, 2:13 PM	1731438293	1748978025		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438099846_464239392624112_2876552204437209724_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0ETfJZSx25EQ7kNvgEllNhP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYASqrqYvJFs8t4qEvyxzvVH7dr_7y8-XAKj-WK842NVbw&oe=67396DDB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436398	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/29/24, 11:14 PM	1731437907	1732943682		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437342	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/29/24, 11:28 PM	1731438297	1732944506		1782																										investmentguru.com	Learn more			IMAGE	40+ Bizarre Yet Funny Pictures Captured By Air Travelers	Who said flying has to be stressful? In some cases, the experience can be a fun-filled adventure that can make anyone marvel at how far traveling has come. On the other hand, the airport is so busy that it's a bit easy to miss some interesting shenanigans. That is why this list has been curated; to....	https://investmentguru.com/koen/45-times-air-travel-gave-people-more-than-what-they-signed-up-for			1.0884006536376E+14	InvestmentsGurus	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435696997_399890499481913_7225301040369759356_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sv9-O-Rxv3IQ7kNvgFOUADc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCcfoS9c8ONi8QQmYBvIEDdUzOnytetk8QDh8FOTbUOnw&oe=6739928F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		From a horse joining a flight to a pilot taking a power nap, air travelers shared some bizarre yet funny pictures they took during their flights.		InvestmentsGurus		197	https://www.facebook.com/InvestmentsGurus1/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437359	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/29/24, 11:28 PM	1731438305	1732944507		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436501	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	5/21/25, 4:24 AM	1731437947	1747819480		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437230	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 2:24 AM	1731438254	1733214288		1782																										www.bootstounrap.top	Learn more			VIDEO	Choose it, embrace your powerful moments!		https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			3.1874161798369E+14	Claire Clark	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520408_832160652294230_5915594295398628468_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wdlsVqMoT9MQ7kNvgGcD0oZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYA_L0OZ-8K6W54r3Y7t1pZvBjqM0FsrEIP2K9AtVlALqA&oe=67398BA0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		One drop unleashes male potential! ⚡️Unique formula, fully unleashes male energy. Choose it, embrace your powerful moments! https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Claire Clark		17	https://www.facebook.com/61559233052703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436862	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 2:40 PM	1731438101	1733172047		1782																										perfdeals.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Sunglasses🕶️Limited time discount, first-come-first-served		https://perfdeals.com/products/smartasda			1.0643963893752E+14	Perfdeals	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455007347_1020386789618485_5431156770927430778_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-QKFqWRbJdwQ7kNvgFibZK8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYAEqjv9UCucKVGGz3q4r81Nzo_P1LV-IAeUUszcnxkP5A&oe=673960C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unisex and perfect for sharing smart living! 🕶️Whether you're a fashion trailblazer or a tech enthusiast 💻🔧, this smart sunglasses is an invaluable addition to your collection. Embrace it now and embark on a new chapter of your intelligent vision! 🌟 🛒>>>https://perfdeals.com/products/smartasda #Perfdeals🩵Perfect for you		Perfdeals		245	https://www.facebook.com/100087154097151/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437554	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 12:49 AM	1731438379	1733035741		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436946	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/2/24, 2:44 PM	1731438136	1733172246		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452748166_709640347970644_8797470647631384698_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xARaIBCYjSUQ7kNvgHDpV2s&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYCs4WRhCh4KzqXV55xPsN8Z8aggYA35euZFKfi2aK_RAg&oe=67397639	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437238	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/30/24, 11:23 PM	1731438256	1733030627		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/gamingmosaic			1.037274827877E+14	gamingmosaic	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/460466107_1826566478170510_3346988587973911979_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=p2k9GfCxkH4Q7kNvgGGRPL1&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCewrBdgYji7QWaJv40q_8CtoR5JW6saBjU6uvTv7d86Q&oe=6739784A	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		Part 4 | rpg minecraft pt 4 #minecraft #100days cr: @treyovard		gamingmosaic		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gamingmosaic	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437421	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/22/24, 9:28 PM	1731438335	1734924522		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436007253_716551453886328_4981822175114547257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6WNJX5M68aIQ7kNvgGkCjIU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYCXQekzftM7Is0PuT2eYeS8XwixGiEHsSOS53t9zyeKTg&oe=67397987	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436893	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 7:24 AM	1731438114	1733059490		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436345	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 8:33 PM	1731437880	1733365989		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437218	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 8:54 PM	1731438248	1733367270		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436544	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 8:39 PM	1731437964	1733366375		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Celebrate Halloween with Into the dead 2 🎃👻		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pikpok.dr2.play			1.4113971257416E+15	Into the Dead	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464300205_533969852610616_1516653844104825885_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sip4pSScCZgQ7kNvgEZPfuE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBuFvkls4rVCNn1xEBoMq9Bn8SV7Zu2xIguvAgq_C_-Ug&oe=67396006	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Get the exclusive Death's Touch by logging in for 7 consecutive days in our Halloween event! 🎃👻		Into the Dead		342102	https://www.facebook.com/intothedeadgame/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437036	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/25/25, 8:44 AM	1731438172	1737794644		1782																										www.physicatl.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses	https://www.physicatl.com/products/sunglasses			2.2520275735078E+14	Physicatl	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451348068_494145149798562_3292519711345192374_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tMQieGEp4UEQ7kNvgGZvFIo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYBNJTVlagtVR_W514J6I2mEcjOd6yGlQFDjnNoBlxS7kA&oe=673978BC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Physicatl		34	https://www.facebook.com/61556883816736/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436602	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 9:41 PM	1731437986	1733370080		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463022317_8471293876250048_7582923471004569257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsDhiSeitcgQ7kNvgFEQJnT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDtPa3RBKaA8SYHYi4-jFfCDipcrdIX8X0XlBDrXxHeCg&oe=67397B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436485	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 10:12 PM	1731437941	1733371960		1782																										bowspider.com	Learn More			DCO	Carry your bow hands-free!	Durable. Lightweight. Versatile. Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty.	http://www.bowspider.com/			1.9908162145463E+15	BowSpider	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464955505_578195384725123_7334580438216482946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A-TiLxP9Z2IQ7kNvgH2yvtU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCwnTU-sB0fh3pvTh4dtmA3JKu08CRBTm0zxkQC-eq0aw&oe=67395D2C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎯 Archers, get ready for a hands-free experience! Bow Spider is coming to Colorado @ TAC this weekend. Go hands-free with our innovative device and take your archery game to the next level! Find us online or at one of our nationwide retailers near you: www.bowspider.com		BowSpider		10690	https://www.facebook.com/bowspider/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436314	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/1/24, 10:19 PM	1731437869	1733113143		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437082	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 11:52 PM	1731438188	1733377957		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437028	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438169	1732022967		1782																										www.dependnte.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.dependnte.com/products/sunglasses			1.0866395855395E+14	Dependnte03	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442484259_949623970273509_7813826165750539695_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rFMpXOR79bwQ7kNvgGJPJp0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYC-aKYl0ZJQZ2rSd2ba3_jqm62HFw1gmbIhr01VijfygA&oe=6739756A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Dependnte03		181	https://www.facebook.com/100083370439654/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437038	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438173	1732022967		1782																										www.tenderplanets.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Tenderplanets.com		https://www.tenderplanets.com/products/sunglasses-2			3.2851444034024E+14	Tenderplanets.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451621735_715504224017579_6800859083876784551_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xf8nsfjMqQoQ7kNvgG8iHqt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYB4dCvl8ZqjMUBNcGJQmlgPCLe3NmT7CYLvPiDD8QxLBQ&oe=67396015	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Tenderplanets.com		6745	https://www.facebook.com/61559641314505/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437043	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438174	1732022967		1782																										www.ascribei.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.ascribei.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.0332075581152E+14	Ascribei	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451549425_336361806203368_2894588058866862031_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=E_wmfbdqa-0Q7kNvgGNjRpj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYB3-PMcmg3ax0j_he7gmlhnRFpygeHAXi5t5LOD5OTeBg&oe=6739614E	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437115	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/2/24, 4:35 AM	1731438200	1733135727		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Gift Code：vip777		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lnaz.jlsyen			1.0134464269417E+14	Ninefold Fairyland	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450060134_519788100747956_3119876470268032132_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ayU6j4IttN0Q7kNvgFbxhUd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBTAlCa3Ez8CGDDJF3grmjPH4aK7_AHWqyU_irY_omsiA&oe=67397A1B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		📣🥳Free game without any recharge🤩🤩 📣🥳The best MMORPG Mobile game in 2024!📣📣		Ninefold Fairyland		532	https://www.facebook.com/100084264623823/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437520	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 10:46 AM	1731438370	1733330792		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437150	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	6/13/25, 2:29 AM	1731438214	1749799794		1782																										lumenok.com	Learn More			DCO	Lighted Nock Selector	{{product.description}}	https://lumenok.com/pages/nock-selector?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Facebook_Insta_Nock+Selector&utm_campaign=Nock_Selector_Social_Ad			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393501653_1971134739939628_5368681016984060141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBd8kqnE5I4Q7kNvgFpIA3Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAsCbL9cs921D91mfQAs3ukaELaJBVyhh3MxAVhtm8tOg&oe=67398A22	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Don't know what size nock you need? Head over to the nock selector & find the EXACT nock for your arrow.		Lumenok		166155	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437147	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438214	1732022967		1782																										shapesence.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.com/products/bluevibejj?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			3.2417962411565E+14	Luck Girl	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448474657_1400240017340790_2287102649331397785_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0tfl34zbO7sQ7kNvgGzdLt2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYD7lxj3DZPloStTkFjFUXJS6yTXhwN4LNN_WzUSzmKZmg&oe=67397F73	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Big guy has shot.💪		Luck Girl		8	https://www.facebook.com/61560383290603/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437159	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/27/24, 3:53 PM	1731438220	1732744381		1782																										shapesence.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.top/products/listmanymanyandguestcheapcheap			1.0806850559048E+14	Royal crazy page	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448435202_1164522597930557_7583996225110041653_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QRuGoSOdsFEQ7kNvgGqLaes&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAHw468t4WF6mjIIA6s7JAY5r9EdA0nHfFiLy0cw47WnA&oe=67397B91	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Big guy keeps shooting.🥰		Royal crazy page		0	https://www.facebook.com/100091892910964/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437161	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/1/24, 12:35 AM	1731438221	1733034953		1782																										shapesence.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.com/products/bluevibejj?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			2.514980095199E+15	Luhizito	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448347419_1107194473678850_4488675605892176232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M-zZmkzvZU0Q7kNvgGyP3L5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYDvNezH4l2gJNzZz8iOpA6An8EJlGGav6LKHVW3jyh4LQ&oe=67395F5D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock your confidence with every drop,boosting vitality day by day.💪		Luhizito		7	https://www.facebook.com/100068093018199/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437209	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/29/24, 6:42 AM	1731438242	1732884170		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442496807_1612130736213832_2998157360728285119_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VHL7_OOOL8UQ7kNvgF25s1C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCUAHTFUO3WTqgIkSK0gHlmf2IbLlTmOEXvZKR28K12gw&oe=67396174	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Why is this game so fun?! Play Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437208	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438242	1732022968		1782																										asmartly.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://asmartly.top/products/b?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			1.8209150166485E+14	A BioForcelab	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/443714959_978359633742208_5202842801681487721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6d5skh9yBusQ7kNvgGqzexk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYAukhX1Ssl7ZZ8JpupJpygNyftsRBi8jrjuYp-_o7mH7Q&oe=67395C41	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				A BioForcelab		42	https://www.facebook.com/61556196639935/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437248	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/2/24, 3:05 AM	1731438260	1733130355		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/daydream_rollplay			1.5721803097638E+15	DayDream	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441488596_356044523692123_2876433146947104897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iYYcwTS8gCIQ7kNvgGIDd1W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCkoe76qld6wKGUZOb-mKluCDoPGa9Xu8C_K9KhUsePbA&oe=67395C63	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				DayDream		267	https://www.facebook.com/daydreamsoftware/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437253	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/2/24, 3:33 AM	1731438261	1733131992		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/mallorcahelicopters			1.0059309257974E+14	Mallorca Helicopters	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441352257_436668662293465_8549097780051348671_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NvLySC8nFOIQ7kNvgGnidIC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYBut_VMtgpjBRgGnodY-o-JwrP2jhEsOklfYWd5DNNMEw&oe=673975F6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		WAIT FOR IT…… Like a scene straight out of GTA ✈️ Palma Internacional Airport | Mallorca		Mallorca Helicopters		4357	https://www.facebook.com/Mallorcahelicopters/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437252	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 8:51 AM	1731438261	1733323880		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/daydream_rollplay			1.5721803097638E+15	DayDream	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441488596_356044523692123_2876433146947104897_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iYYcwTS8gCIQ7kNvgGIDd1W&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCkoe76qld6wKGUZOb-mKluCDoPGa9Xu8C_K9KhUsePbA&oe=67395C63	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				DayDream		267	https://www.facebook.com/daydreamsoftware/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437268	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/30/24, 6:10 PM	1731438266	1733011807		1782																										hypeddit.com	Listen now			VIDEO			https://hypeddit.com/moodz2			31587797502	Parichay	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/378163596_690284026490463_8295707586478416217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WMS_ksQ49DkQ7kNvgEFj8r6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYAQmiXNzWMKdSPPg33onfHrCPsCI6G20bVJqxjIoQiSgw&oe=67397EAC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		I’m SPEECHLESS!! Over 5 Million Views/ Streams on #Moodz2 already! THANK YOU FAM 💛		Parichay		117749	https://www.facebook.com/ParichayOnline/	0		LISTEN_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437540	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 3:25 PM	1731438375	1733347532		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437272	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 7:15 AM	1731438267	1733318119		1782																										play.google.com	Install Now			DCO	One Man One War	{{product.description}}	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.habby.archero			1.7055699129225E+15	Archero	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439921914_1154802665548466_744206028294062338_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oruxyz5n-5cQ7kNvgEE_fjv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYBp0YJl0noAQfLeig_nyOlxqBuQahWuoG1k-OaMHqwy6w&oe=67395CF6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Finally on level 9. I'm hooked...		Archero		694420	https://www.facebook.com/archerogame/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437297	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 3:05 AM	1731438279	1733303128		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438676505_459563796647243_7838648700587245501_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hqCuudic_0YQ7kNvgEj5CNW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYAHGDurrXIrMc63Euo8C4Khgi9ngXkj6THh9658iXOKhA&oe=673980C9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437317	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 9:36 PM	1731438287	1733110567		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438686192_1599951320770608_7951593487858409411_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ny1S-JtDERIQ7kNvgHYe2VC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAIHsnWH8ufB5S7Zv2EeZE7Jbo_8Py9Ci25WTutmOKZUg&oe=67395B87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437562	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438383	1732022968		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437321	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 9:03 AM	1731438290	1733065383		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435976503_3758096711115915_5682349106824582573_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VzZDrkRVAM0Q7kNvgFmYAZb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCPaibPHUQcu4rkiuYn4TuoK9vl145yUnLatdOltMip_g&oe=6739911F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437337	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 2:31 AM	1731438296	1733301110		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438204973_393166876928170_2218866148947350612_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WUrPq6VYwXMQ7kNvgGC1IJn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYB1Qqo6EqvLx_Eb5WozrNkhmaXDSFOefN6P4gURsSrYSA&oe=67398D1B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437573	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438384	1732022968		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437354	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 8:47 AM	1731438303	1733496446		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437357	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/7/24, 12:15 PM	1731438304	1733595305		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437587	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/28/24, 1:55 AM	1731438389	1732780554		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/gregbridgesart			1.0620474221814E+14	gregbridgesart	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/363895122_621162433473069_7198498876232514127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1QsCtvvhTMoQ7kNvgGcoUEC&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDaOnryE8-KbeVNlBLUz11Y_BTwU9OMR0VepsmfZWzV6A&oe=67397645	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				gregbridgesart		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gregbridgesart	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437367	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438315	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436447050_353054793823580_1725770958331990521_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=38Kcta2EME0Q7kNvgG_53Lx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYDg5SfSH50doz3yhfNFULBTDuDaBT3HJEVFbf_12vVFhg&oe=67397807	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437371	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438316	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434430231_2851278625011842_6083822264475891880_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UQ9sbZRuwOsQ7kNvgH6Vsh8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYByPVCBIwx8JsahSSLp8KNafL_FO7PMxyP8Tiz_jm4BHA&oe=67398CD9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437379	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438317	1732022968		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/grottipapi			1.0549524892544E+14	grottipapi	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/419503858_899279781573265_3343328293947159112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=5PZ_5uKUhaYQ7kNvgGNyPcT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYBg47h5dwkDTbvvxCz_djQuWoJL2Flb6tpz8-sCdc1kkQ&oe=67396EEA	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		Cruising around in #LosSantos on #GTAONLINE while blasting bangers 🔊🔊 Nothing like it 🤩🤩 @fariswithadollarsign @lexxcarver #gta5 #gta6 #pontiactransam #newmusic #grandtheftauto #lyricvideo #imponteruiner #weekend #saturday #gamer #gaming #relaxing #peaceful #stressrelief		grottipapi		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/grottipapi	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437383	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438320	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436007253_1638961556933014_7854473355218566919_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OmNjP8U5vR8Q7kNvgHzV6Vu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBAW698xLBYIdpUfBbvoEHuk-DC11yfP6tA-QxmYhA5sQ&oe=67397669	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437628	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 9:12 PM	1731438400	1733281928		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437644	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/7/24, 10:33 AM	1731438405	1733589188		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437392	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438322	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435460858_1624341025014581_739467339243255239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oQ-zN4KKJH8Q7kNvgHUb9Ki&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBb0XfKHL-KjnrTp3j3MwzBEXSITvDQSLXXuX_k1pbk9w&oe=673986C3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437394	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438325	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433934090_1199403818105778_5225217072395325789_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dhcI9fitoEQQ7kNvgFrFiBk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYDyHx0SnEDvFvjH3mmobLTUnCXoWVBaMe1Tuau1stxlqg&oe=67398292	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437668	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/29/24, 11:30 PM	1731438411	1732944628		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437685	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 2:16 AM	1731438417	1733300214		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1084930849			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/429581234_1099310164730363_1086504078742655591_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9sVa1Xeem4oQ7kNvgHJfSov&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYDADq8iUEI8fXf57Bwsr-C3k6LmQI740PhMfiuMfKDXOw&oe=67396EA1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		How many kingdoms can you conquer?		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437403	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/10/24, 4:31 AM	1731438327	1733826673		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435957913_930248478801308_2031386260841533956_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C7gq5Si7A_kQ7kNvgGgHS75&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBZZdxoWO8hUPXWD7FCUXayi7Te9Vt1QYE2SYVzcDiv0g&oe=67396A4E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436221	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437829	1732022968		1782																										merrithew.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://www.merrithew.com/instructor-training/find-training/ontario-toronto#workshops			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465984601_1458684198139170_5437178588802457217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9QmycRt7DtoQ7kNvgHVqRio&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYD5iBl-R0ZvG7mqqH4SfI0dVlx0-dUI1DDxlU-GJKwSJg&oe=67399203	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436244	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/29/24, 11:59 PM	1731437838	1732946397		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			IMAGE			http://instagram.com/cuttingedgema			3.2484543456634E+14	Cutting Edge	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466406151_1970535800088726_6569313940304091487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Eoi3znvzpagQ7kNvgEZBAXC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYCBm572fH1uWIQ0Brz-C8cfnmyi2p-sdXAnVt6GQvclgQ&oe=67397B5F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Really impressive crossbow by Killer Instinct. Clean , smooth , quiet, accurate and SUPER FAST!		Cutting Edge		348	https://www.facebook.com/cuttingedgewithTheMillers/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436241	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/30/24, 9:12 PM	1731437837	1733022738		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Handcrafted in Telluride, Colorado	{{product.description}}	http://www.shopcrossbow.com/			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465985305_1684143588795664_9109533657417579314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZwh6oe4HmcQ7kNvgHkUZ3M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYAQ3DG0QYd-WRBvbJj5sGlzO2u2CPaND4qDxgi6TZmHjw&oe=673969F6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in Telluride, Colorado		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437435	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 12:06 AM	1731438339	1733724375		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434555213_749429893837857_8620851439615711120_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1f6IgrSLrEUQ7kNvgE0ywzA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYD9BFWy0DvXlPBhUFvEswHzFVO3K_eKYukNC21LALvKzw&oe=67397867	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436289	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437860	1732022968		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436292	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437861	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436301	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/29/24, 2:24 PM	1731437863	1732911852		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436299	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 12:28 AM	1731437863	1733293730		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436308	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437866	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436318	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/1/24, 8:12 PM	1731437870	1733105528		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436321	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 10:56 AM	1731437871	1733158596		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436328	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/3/24, 7:47 PM	1731437873	1733276870		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436339	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 5:27 PM	1731437878	1733182069		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436333	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437876	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436337	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437877	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436351	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437883	1732022968		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Polygun Arena NEW FPS		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.polygon.arena			1.0409219598082E+14	Polygun Arena	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465717079_9006893802676294_3761278404113435068_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yAjCXk5cnIEQ7kNvgGPGRhh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC1EiZK2eCfgiPZH2CUpEUZ23wbjC9RlMXn5gfw6BzAXA&oe=6739769B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Multiplayer 3D shooter with cartoon graphics		Polygun Arena		7491	https://www.facebook.com/polygunarenagame/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436356	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 8:47 AM	1731437886	1733323631		1782																										householdhacks.site	Learn more			VIDEO	Check Eligibility 👉		https://householdhacks.site/sopes-with-beans-recipe			4.8127932506531E+14	Coupon Master	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465549448_1115291643505533_6073448521982507696_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LMEdl6JInlEQ7kNvgETrQkP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCb40WnW_DI_LepnngoAMmBLm0s0XiXcFc0q7DVYe9exA&oe=673964E9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're seeing this, great job! Please take a short survey to apply for your opportunity 🎊✅		Coupon Master		7	https://www.facebook.com/61567779845369/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436363	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 3:07 AM	1731437888	1733303221		1782																										pacbow.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://pacbow.com/			1.1240211221106E+14	Pac Bow Archery	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465788287_2467663603442075_5375078215845780366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ESfSdyWTi0oQ7kNvgEI7ica&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAZqJFQlDr5E1mP5gYtxkeDTvV0V7PnsQQ9mhTJKh-gaQ&oe=67396C54	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Pac Bow Archery		639	https://www.facebook.com/Pacbowarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436385	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437901	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436396	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437905	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436400	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437908	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436409	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 2:42 AM	1731437910	1733388122		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436422	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 6:40 PM	1731437916	1733359213		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436430	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/2/24, 10:10 AM	1731437919	1733155856		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436445	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 12:57 AM	1731437924	1733381828		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436440	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 6:36 AM	1731437922	1733402161		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436458	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 7:23 AM	1731437930	1733318604		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436453	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 2:23 AM	1731437928	1733387024		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Brand new for 2024 these shawl vests are hand made from start to finish.	{{product.description}}	https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464974574_1641279966426053_8672094697025660444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iAPDKuUpbQQQ7kNvgFkd50T&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDFywRFojS-4CG_ZlDYMteJt_UiDA2drY-UBTJbJIcFuQ&oe=67396753	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436468	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 4:07 PM	1731437934	1733350053		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://shopcrossbow.com/collections/bags-purses			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465467640_1080450426568615_7845264950608657185_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mCjF-ynNFa0Q7kNvgHE2H9I&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCgvx0sqiUcHglxO54DPhRcrRirsTSUxfWeStdN5o5VAg&oe=673970D0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The making of The Mimi Backpack		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436476	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/3/24, 4:23 AM	1731437939	1733221413		1782																										pnumaoutdoors.com	Shop Now			DCO	Pnuma Highpoint Series	Crafted with Berber Fleece and PrimaLoft Silver Insulation, this is our warmest jacket yet. Designed for stealth and comfort, High Loft Berber Fleece provides superior warmth and silence, while microfleece sleeves maintain dexterity and maneuverability.	https://pnumaoutdoors.com/products/pnuma-highpoint-jacket			1.3245122442319E+15	Pnuma Official	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465059389_1092548069142797_9200126120820130936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VNsmkHbviAQQ7kNvgFtxsJu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC88dltsWkfUDLcHxmIqcgWpgSDOMbdc1UyxtQtz_N99g&oe=67397370	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defy frigid conditions with unparalleled warmth and stealth. Our Highpoint Collection is engineered to keep you silent and warm, even in the harshest cold-weather conditions.		Pnuma Official		23243	https://www.facebook.com/PnumaOfficial/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436487	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/1/24, 12:33 AM	1731437942	1733034825		1782																										bowspider.com	Learn More			DCO	Carry your bow hands-free!	Durable. Lightweight. Versatile. Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty.	http://www.bowspider.com/			1.9908162145463E+15	BowSpider	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464955505_578195384725123_7334580438216482946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A-TiLxP9Z2IQ7kNvgH2yvtU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCwnTU-sB0fh3pvTh4dtmA3JKu08CRBTm0zxkQC-eq0aw&oe=67395D2C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎯 Archers, get ready for a hands-free experience! Bow Spider is coming to Colorado @ TAC this weekend. Go hands-free with our innovative device and take your archery game to the next level! Find us online or at one of our nationwide retailers near you: www.bowspider.com		BowSpider		10690	https://www.facebook.com/bowspider/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436482	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 12:24 AM	1731437940	1733207053		1782																										bowspider.com	Learn More			DCO	Carry your bow hands-free!	Durable. Lightweight. Versatile. Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty.	http://www.bowspider.com/			1.9908162145463E+15	BowSpider	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464955505_578195384725123_7334580438216482946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A-TiLxP9Z2IQ7kNvgH2yvtU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCwnTU-sB0fh3pvTh4dtmA3JKu08CRBTm0zxkQC-eq0aw&oe=67395D2C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎯 Archers, get ready for a hands-free experience! Bow Spider is coming to Colorado @ TAC this weekend. Go hands-free with our innovative device and take your archery game to the next level! Find us online or at one of our nationwide retailers near you: www.bowspider.com		BowSpider		10690	https://www.facebook.com/bowspider/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436480	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 8:08 PM	1731437940	1733364532		1782																										i-quiz.acceptthisrose.com	No button			IMAGE	Take The Quiz >>		https://i-quiz.acceptthisrose.com/pq/spa/quiz_trl_trl_apocalpyse-prep-pq-61p-pq_i-quiz_1			1.0280021503472E+14	Lux & Lush - Culture	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465167623_557444426891637_8148061749519834180_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R26wNsFVZBkQ7kNvgEZMSe9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBWw6M1jDDC4kLMqjbkfCSvo-rNBZgl5rCWSG9vhKaTPw&oe=67396CC2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		👀 Are you ready to face the apocalypse? Test your knowledge with our quiz and find out if you can outsmart the zombies! 🧟‍♂️️😱		Lux & Lush - Culture		3234	https://www.facebook.com/LuxLushCulture/	0		NO_BUTTON								View Edit Delete
2436506	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 12:11 PM	1731437949	1733163089		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			DCO	{{product.name}}	{{product.description}}	http://instagram.com/4.sepi			1.1418002495775E+14	4Sepi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464793938_542534025085689_7623908682439279065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KHgro3BveEsQ7kNvgFoiIFE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAFMXZvLN9wzdWI-1y06WP4trvqcQAR3FjSS-8Fkd47dw&oe=6739836C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				4Sepi		149	https://www.facebook.com/100090634394887/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436524	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/9/24, 6:14 AM	1731437956	1733746453		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fzcq.wzcqand			1.037540094099E+14	Marfa Dungeon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464855664_1287136179135982_6947997855390391374_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ezXi7R0OAdAQ7kNvgFojnky&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYDBKjFgnFfmGl6AakESWnM8nqguWUy_aN_l82VJe2Rvyg&oe=6739730E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎊New Version! New Class!		Marfa Dungeon		105	https://www.facebook.com/100093061515828/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436538	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 11:57 PM	1731437961	1733378228		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			IMAGE	Test your mind, memory, and vocabulary!		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.playsimple.wordsearch			8.781468122145E+14	PlaySimple Games	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464268376_765247229059493_1272425263374447592_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=93xNuB3wykQQ7kNvgErZoqz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAcV6d8E4zd3fe1Zpsxz1lZOKGYFLvW-vQzX_lIgc6s4Q&oe=67396B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Classic game with a fun twist! 🌟 Put your vocabulary to the test 📱		PlaySimple Games		160853	https://www.facebook.com/playsimpleguess/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436551	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 4:43 PM	1731437966	1733265800		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An ex-assassin must fight to become a dragonrider...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464326901_837465714938884_8987525482178598089_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QsTI4-YJaGgQ7kNvgGAHR_P&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBZ74jjzMsYPOORLFBfi7R2gdqo9kz-3mJS8_GSxVFF7Q&oe=67395DEB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … For more high-stakes action with a touch of clean romance: Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2437457	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438349	1732022969		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436576	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437976	1732022969		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fzcq.wzcqand			1.037540094099E+14	Marfa Dungeon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464047575_1718030685643888_8865805105127163556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wniXGKpV5ZMQ7kNvgEc7TNR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYAzKaxAXk-yCm79xxvfVJyJ7Q-Lz6Ff_VEbeHypUyPPqQ&oe=67397E53	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		What"s Your Choice? Fight and Conquer the dungeon!		Marfa Dungeon		105	https://www.facebook.com/100093061515828/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436577	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/29/24, 3:27 AM	1731437977	1732872450		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/wetwillyoutdoors			1.4146864905906E+14	wetwillyoutdoors	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/343208715_622007756450249_4153879750093747310_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=DFfYL4wL-ZEQ7kNvgHxVfnc&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCW7l1u5408pUkDyzw1Wu6aUWAXYTci4nx5WAzc788-Bg&oe=673978FE	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				wetwillyoutdoors		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/wetwillyoutdoors	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436585	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 5:42 AM	1731437981	1733398930		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://shopcrossbow.com/pages/events			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Telluride	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461510309_1230625901530742_4376676497656080115_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Afws5Gi4APgQ7kNvgGWn-CZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCuCOABJm8Hlj3g-fa2EdzzCAH8c1dgwvhXptacWvcDcA&oe=673964D2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436598	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 5:48 AM	1731437985	1733399324		1782																										www.Lumenok.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL			https://lumenok.com/?utm_source=FacebookAd&utm_medium=FacebookAd&utm_campaign=Fall_Sales_FB&utm_id=Lum_Fall_Sales			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462910868_879921630777136_1522242753515071300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HC7KLT4aTt8Q7kNvgGLv1vu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDOl8A3L1wIn5Xqas10FIEjeuC6flR-0hjILaPLgOtESA&oe=6739779B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Lumenok		166154	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436590	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 9:15 AM	1731437983	1733411755		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463086626_1050644839853844_737404424375642860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JKO-cjPFvq0Q7kNvgGM5O8Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYA7TxxImP0Mo4uRtE0gZtVoRpKbyWQ-TSDeMkXXwFW3hQ&oe=67396674	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436593	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 11:35 AM	1731437983	1733420159		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463086626_1050644839853844_737404424375642860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JKO-cjPFvq0Q7kNvgGM5O8Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYA7TxxImP0Mo4uRtE0gZtVoRpKbyWQ-TSDeMkXXwFW3hQ&oe=67396674	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436596	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437984	1732022969		1782																										www.Lumenok.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL			https://lumenok.com/?utm_source=FacebookAd&utm_medium=FacebookAd&utm_campaign=Fall_Sales_FB&utm_id=Lum_Fall_Sales			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462910868_879921630777136_1522242753515071300_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HC7KLT4aTt8Q7kNvgGLv1vu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDOl8A3L1wIn5Xqas10FIEjeuC6flR-0hjILaPLgOtESA&oe=6739779B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Lumenok		166154	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436628	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437997	1732022969		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An epic war between dragonriders and gods...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462675614_993115855918139_1394418265950606606_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C_X2qhzP5scQ7kNvgFhZml9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYAenMefB_GLiva1OKEYHUEQQ0knZd94Zhtb1QNksfZjDQ&oe=6739916B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The battle boomed around us in a dark, deadly symphony. I took to my dragon’s saddle with my blade still gripped in one hand. Working my feet down into the deep leather pockets on either side of Blite’s strong neck, I slipped my sword back into its sheath and reached for the saddle handles. I just prayed we weren’t too late. My commander, Jaevid, and his dragon still flew in the lead. His massive blue drake, a temperamental monster he’d named Mavrik, gave a rallying cry like a roll of thunder. It made my dragon’s hide shiver. My heart beat like a war hammer in my chest as we veered in perfect formation over the sea of dark armor and war machines still churning below. Lines of dragonfire still burned high, but even as hard as we had fought so far, it didn’t look like we had made much of a dent in our enemy’s ranks. Curse it. No time to let up now. I spotted more allies, dragonriders flying in groups of three, approaching. Heh. Well, that made two formations. Good odds for any dragonrider. And we had trained nonstop for years for this very moment. “We are going to carve a path for the airship to descend and pick up our allies in the courtyard,” Jaevid communicated back, using the dragonrider code of hand signals. “Primary targets are ground war machines. Make it hurt.” I signaled my agreement. Squeezing my legs tighter to Blite’s side, I twisted the saddle handles to send him signals, steering in perfect synchronization with Jaevid’s dragon, Mavrik, to begin our assault run. The commander must have had some sort of exchange about this already with the other riders because they immediately led their two wingends on a similar pass coming in the opposite direction so we would cross midway over the battlefield. Excellent. Blite snapped his wings in tight as we dove down, falling like a flock of speeding falcons, and zoomed over the advancing line of enemy war machines. Catapults burned. Trebuchets toppled as their ropes and cables snapped. Soldiers ran like scared cockroaches. War beasts bucked and tried to flee, their saddles and armor already ablaze. Only a few enemy soldiers even dared fire at us, using everything they had. Arrows and crossbow bolts zipped past, a few even pinging off Blite’s armored chest. Fortunately, none seemed to pierce his scaly hide, and he slicked his little ears back and hissed in defiance as we broke skyward again. Suddenly, Mavrik let out a roar of alarm as a huge net made of thick metal cables whipped through the air, heading straight for us. He shot upward with one beat of his mighty wings. Blite saw it, too ... A second too late. Oh gods, it was going to hit us! I cringed, bracing for impact. With a defiant roar, a huge blue-scaled blur flashed between the incoming net and us, so fast I had no time to react. Mavrik screeched in rage as the net wrapped around one of his wings and hind legs, tangling immediately with weighed ends spinning and wrapping around him. Wh-What? He’d intentionally taken that hit? For me?! The king drake fell, roaring and still beating his one free wing, as he plummeted from the sky straight down toward the roiling mass of enemy soldiers below. He would hit hard. He’d land right in the middle of a block of enemy soldiers. NO! Slamming my hands against the saddle handles, I yelled a curse and ordered Blite to dive after him. I had to do something—I had to save my commander. Even if it meant paying the ultimate price … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436636	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 8:18 AM	1731438006	1733321934		1782																										www.casetifys.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Ancient Crossbow MINI Stainless Steel Slingshot Crafts Adult Collection Ornaments Decompression Shooting Small Model Toy		https://www.casetifys.com/products/ancient-crossbow-mini-stainless-steel-slingshot-crafts-adult-collection-ornaments-decompression-shooting-small-model-toy?st			1.0835853217426E+14	Usefulcasetifys	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462314232_355956927600816_6302595442727443946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EDcKt4_kTbgQ7kNvgGdrlNN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYB1kwsuQb1EX3-kdOQTdf6GPyWZA1NIVxte2bvrYLANVQ&oe=67396186	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		☄️☄️I want to make 100 siege vehicles🔥🔥 to directly capture the opponent's city🎁🎁 🛒🛒GET YOURS HERE：https://reurl.cc/NlgkX9		Usefulcasetifys		227624	https://www.facebook.com/100090399601525/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436642	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438009	1732022969		1782																										greatdaysoutdoors.com				IMAGE	Choosing the Right Crossbow Scope: Key Features and Tips	Learn how to choose the best crossbow scope for hunting. Discover key features and innovations in crossbow optics.	https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/crossbow-scopes/			324625144573	Great Days Outdoors	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461277419_512238641516170_6590722458668489529_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v1MwwGlt8wQQ7kNvgHxhDWe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYBIajuEuIuIi5CFG0rADM3ojDoKV_eOUq8L-YKJQ8Og8w&oe=67397F19	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		You can't hit what you can't see! Choosing the right crossbow scope is crucial for accuracy, especially in low-light conditions. Learn how to pick the best scope for your crossbow and make every shot count!		Great Days Outdoors		29635	https://www.facebook.com/greatdaysoutdoors/	0										View Edit Delete
2436647	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 4:53 AM	1731438011	1733309589		1782																										amazon.com	Download			CAROUSEL	99¢ Bestselling crime fiction	A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JW4NX1/			5.2868648390662E+14	The Book Folks	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461774604_1244842073609408_7581157158359788746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kkFnsxvaQzoQ7kNvgGCmxtz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDEI5vn1uGLfZexjxjtzs4GNdHJa-qMlJZZcDqrICD1Fg&oe=6739918D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.		The Book Folks		9499	https://www.facebook.com/thebookfolks/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436652	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 8:26 AM	1731438013	1733322370		1782																														MULTI_IMAGES						2.3159430520162E+15	Southern Wind Yachts	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461934430_1188741492204222_6302334614991466727_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wC5qMWNdvVwQ7kNvgEDlWmg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDhEQLOuakaD8JFDsq6DNZUNxkGD5Acgs_xBdJViXpsNg&oe=67398FA0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Stunning anchorage for SW102 Crossbow in a secluded, breathtaking bay of Symi, Greece. We are incredibly proud to see our owners and crew enjoying the magical moments their yachts are creating this summer. Thank you for letting us dream alongside you! Pics by Jonty Pieters, crew member and talented photographer on board.		Southern Wind Yachts		7353	https://www.facebook.com/southernwindofficial/	0										View Edit Delete
2436649	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438012	1732022969		1782																										amazon.com	Download			CAROUSEL	99¢ Bestselling crime fiction	A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JW4NX1/			5.2868648390662E+14	The Book Folks	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461774604_1244842073609408_7581157158359788746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kkFnsxvaQzoQ7kNvgGCmxtz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDEI5vn1uGLfZexjxjtzs4GNdHJa-qMlJZZcDqrICD1Fg&oe=6739918D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.		The Book Folks		9499	https://www.facebook.com/thebookfolks/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436669	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438022	1732022969		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461090442_1069516240703803_1080638085773909459_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KX8deaBNUoAQ7kNvgGX6A4d&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYBHzweQWEs3FZYEKLVbDWK4DfPHwegScYTc7a1CQuZw_A&oe=673965C7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436676	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438023	1732022969		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461084626_538831985505067_7295124684905781406_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=l1LT3-CSXTAQ7kNvgElOuCp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYAgCNTbDGbJp1xQV1kwvLPqH2_F9on-MGLIJNBTdWBchQ&oe=673964A2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436686	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 4:01 AM	1731438026	1733392902		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-5			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460658906_1020620586430565_283442875929311215_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7HOXFJLdvHwQ7kNvgHRQJ8-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAf4amWiKK00OUwXBIckowK01gC8e9HqdJpd6JHwzQBqw&oe=67399139	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436704	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 10:34 PM	1731438034	1733373241		1782																										walmart.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	#219 Crossbow	100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter	https://www.walmart.com/ip/Swhacker-219-Crossbow-Broadheads-2-Blade-100-Grain-1-75-Cut-Pack-of-3/37814354?from=%2Fsearch			1.2676108407726E+14	Swhacker Broadheads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459250349_1046603056841191_199755559286010371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=64zBY9KClUEQ7kNvgHW7x4L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAbyiEhYBpVje8DYJztqcs3UT0zFmIQzQpWmnWiOefYEQ&oe=67398E4B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter		Swhacker Broadheads		62899	https://www.facebook.com/swhackerbroadheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436722	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/6/24, 2:18 AM	1731438040	1733473101		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436733	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438047	1732022969		1782																										eligiblek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://eligiblek.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.2751294359888E+14	Eligiblek	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459327702_521630836919317_4341815584341108717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eGmkfdT_yUEQ7kNvgHIcJwF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDZ7twA7Gbs5sV1hqoD_xp4k_bOSdTUbHfuiIKX1modFQ&oe=67397FC1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Eligiblek		407	https://www.facebook.com/100091422456330/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436743	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438050	1732022969		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458324119_1883043765511630_6583198974960676136_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z0M2KQ8BSEEQ7kNvgE2Ax5s&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYB2-Ut5gVcxnHg7zstDCi1yaX2xCIoET8B0ADa5h_6obw&oe=67398271	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436747	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438052	1732022969		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-5			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458601472_551021244250277_8471247619456488439_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Fo6UYwNgSYQ7kNvgHqF95u&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDMnM6tHvg0jJepSLzxIqolIFrpc6dtEcsItrZhAjerQA&oe=67398C0C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436755	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/7/24, 8:34 AM	1731438055	1733582050		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458519154_533241939178430_3103787409127405271_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3idDgTO2ig0Q7kNvgGCJYnz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAy_BiEZcADDH8u6mgbl8gvZy6HGLmy4bEAaMZDXW5V4Q&oe=67397069	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436763	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 3:29 AM	1731438060	1733304552		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	🍥Top rated games we're playing 👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itogame.eragp			1.9713585014637E+14	Era of warfare	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458445500_1577244013214762_1560408804005653064_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EsPttB7r3qkQ7kNvgHo2fOh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDujZakZPSyMeHNG_J6KGeTPYjGFn6V4q40qdeTwVkzNA&oe=67398972	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you want to fight, fight until extinction🔥		Era of warfare		46329	https://www.facebook.com/Eraofwarfare/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436765	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 3:43 AM	1731438061	1733305437		1782																										marginatl.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://marginatl.com/products/sunglasses-4			2.6586142660226E+14	Marginatl	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458174077_1023569139508767_5737368975105153972_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=azYVp0q6Tn4Q7kNvgHKlmnl&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYC2Qiu5zJnuIgfkUxYGZr0hwnbmUkd7mBmcA1j1uQBk5Q&oe=673986B9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Marginatl		200	https://www.facebook.com/61556551694523/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436775	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/3/24, 8:17 PM	1731438064	1733278634		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436771	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438063	1732022969		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457734487_1551310259147087_2540616613059602748_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZOHQnih14lwQ7kNvgFe5Uj_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDzx8w8uqhGm4jklgW68qdLDgrtj1X7s0KCjk237SJs7w&oe=67396B82	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436772	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438063	1732022969		1782																										www.comforterap.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses	🔥Get over 49% off today🔥	https://www.comforterap.com/products/sunglasses			2.8348732152284E+14	Comforterap	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458380131_820313986885066_8969847839737535193_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fjDA9lsp8cMQ7kNvgFcO7bY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBlOsrpY4EGLeREpfqDUAi7osyiN_hqac8dP84IPFBkOw&oe=673981E2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Comforterap		110	https://www.facebook.com/61559189837768/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437466	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/30/24, 12:48 AM	1731438351	1732949287		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437476	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438356	1732022969		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437484	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438358	1732022969		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436835	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 1:30 PM	1731438089	1732023006		1782																										eligiblek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://eligiblek.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.2751294359888E+14	Eligiblek	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455323746_849918843512938_1409450988192960322_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GvxL2HIL4gQQ7kNvgFt24-o&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYCqSHN88j7JEM9jbrBNyrOjhkQlM2hHIrCIXG4zZRr2Dg&oe=67397F1D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Eligiblek		407	https://www.facebook.com/100091422456330/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436854	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 1:36 PM	1731438096	1732023367		1782																										apps.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	>>Play now		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6450815656			1.054231659531E+14	MU: Devils Awaken	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454827080_2180363029001094_8262017151462550371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_XhHzAfmXJ8Q7kNvgGGYj9d&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYCbHMVLfO_VYTjUj0KwGdrm6wCIO5AlzMeVry4YcoUCHA&oe=67398266	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🔥🔥WARRIOR SUMMON!!! High 3D graphics！You shouldn’t miss it!⚔️⚔️		MU: Devils Awaken		1519	https://www.facebook.com/MUDevilsAwaken/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437496	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 6:01 PM	1731438363	1733097666		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436877	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/5/24, 12:57 AM	1731438106	1733381825		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454393233_390835803649491_8574700479615678295_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PlnkImfwWRIQ7kNvgF8O7NW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYBBmBLv58JO6Osc_LmIby9R6g5_BcLZe6uuY3dicMRTFA&oe=673987FC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Conquer uncharted dark territories!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436878	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/5/24, 2:03 AM	1731438108	1733385837		1782																										www.landscapet.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.landscapet.com/products/sunglasses-3-2			1.0027370608447E+14	Landscapet.shop	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453263618_1162345981665549_1888028491191961741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_hFYdADxP0QQ7kNvgHZqbF8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYD1-EQOIPdKABN9bQAtQdPfjum7JZ53QDEneJQY-SQYlg&oe=6739747F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Landscapet.shop		5615	https://www.facebook.com/100087657818505/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436883	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 10:26 PM	1731438112	1733113595		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436894	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438114	1732022969		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437506	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 1:50 PM	1731438366	1732024209		1782																										www.whoshwqw.shop	Learn more			VIDEO			https://www.whoshwqw.shop/products/manba?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			1.0231912852835E+14	522 Records	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434385781_754750006429048_9077005728782961464_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L3t3N6uDpjoQ7kNvgEUO84l&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBkCsKL2HR2TA8bSuf-HvZLi1f5VmnrwULTtOt7ZT3tLA&oe=67398CF5	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0						0		0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436944	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 1:52 PM	1731438135	1732024323		1782																										www.rulesabest.com	Shop now			VIDEO	rulesabest.com		https://www.rulesabest.com/products/sunglasses-3-2			2.8206453500082E+14	Rulesabest	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452709810_1050722503296247_1475710874195193653_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MByd1bma5pMQ7kNvgH-bz-z&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYD3644kqosfbDxJH5N3Mldqc72cPQugrAHa4msageKdEA&oe=6739645D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Rulesabest		66	https://www.facebook.com/61560582790952/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436979	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:14 AM	1731438149	1733303667		1782																										www.mlionaiwte.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.mlionaiwte.com/products/sunglasses			2.857990179409E+14	Mlionaiwte-9	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451978562_484748937471125_3743349473276077402_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=la9vBPaR-NsQ7kNvgHhUeWA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYDsfkgzUSg8xNlJGoqFhw7eCrIaABfULbTwcUj66MZdSg&oe=67397E47	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩That's so cool!!!!! These smart sunglasses not only look great, but are a game changer for busy people on the go. 🥳Sunglasses that you can listen to music through, talk through and photograph with . 💥50% off on Prime Day now💥Get yours: https://www.mlionaiwte.com/products/sunglasses		Mlionaiwte-9		607	https://www.facebook.com/61557184869535/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436989	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 1:54 PM	1731438155	1732024440		1782																										www.distinctings.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.distinctings.com/products/sunglasses			1.0478331939011E+14	Distinctings.dis	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451750101_863864958993885_2595189234594642412_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d8V0IM9uNaAQ7kNvgFKGvLk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYAUAZ43OGfWnP4tH4ifvjivPMS-Q3xcAAJPBpCNNGzKXA&oe=673971A4	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎🎶🔊Bluetooth Sunglasses are a game changer 😍 For Listening To Music & Calling		Distinctings.dis		1826	https://www.facebook.com/61550191293696/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437000	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 4:42 AM	1731438158	1733308949		1782																										www.batrmnlac.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.batrmnlac.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.0781646568503E+14	Batrmnlac·r	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451417406_456960807112668_6072745632465845589_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xQ8CS6bmg6wQ7kNvgHt3Vxc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYBWCtDLfMRXkZZ0XoxJchSwvO6eMjY5jNVMBFKlFaRseQ&oe=673965F7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Batrmnlac·r		274	https://www.facebook.com/100094069231231/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437002	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 1:56 PM	1731438159	1732024560		1782																										www.vocationay.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.vocationay.com/products/sunglasses			1.0818304883288E+14	Vocationay.	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451567227_406038581867630_5900449386152149130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wtZrCn8kZQ8Q7kNvgF9ZRqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYACIAOHllY-PGq4Vl-zpDAJ7PIDceQzDyqUjNV6Sfsd0A&oe=67397816	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Vocationay.		366	https://www.facebook.com/100089052502378/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437351	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/5/24, 4:17 AM	1731438302	1733393856		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436516	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 4:19 AM	1731437954	1733393952		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464784859_564480505947065_2665248387861449581_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jXBjtJ5uD8AQ7kNvgHR_UBm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYB7OQMKNhVeWQtW1I74ND_BfNSw95EJ3lkgJPw1dHkS4Q&oe=673962BB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Only the strongest warriors can reach Lv.30! Try now!		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436857	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/1/24, 10:27 PM	1731438098	1733113645		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455141441_1172341210637024_3185907168615448037_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k0ymoKb4Q-IQ7kNvgE27uL0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYCqqXf6vx84TVlfZOYmGe8TwUCyyqn6UCldSz_qKx43Kg&oe=6739650A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437062	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/26/24, 7:17 PM	1731438180	1732670259		1782																										peryfisoin.com	Shop Now			DCO	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses	{{product.description}}	https://www.peryfisoin.com/products/sunglasses			1.0762045243694E+14	Peryfisoin	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450939943_1485204069052170_4799674088574239240_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Mv07vrFe6p0Q7kNvgE4Rmt5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYCAsuhf_oD-xaSFxd7lHGDaSjXx7LW_9vWlInxB_y9asg&oe=67398999	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩👍Discover the sunglasses that have transformed my life!		Peryfisoin		1145	https://www.facebook.com/61550095536555/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436707	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	5/23/25, 9:34 PM	1731438035	1748054050		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437060	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	5/23/25, 10:11 PM	1731438179	1748056291		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=xq15rjxmtejq6kcd5vyj&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.6784324641191E+14	Crossbow for you	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450774835_1015458610241681_5174518765841747372_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0eqWnU8d1XYQ7kNvgGiaSQF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDCGhNztvkZVJyZaWmfpfXLhTJcmpqjhzboCC3mH4Ucow&oe=67397142	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/3f532wpc				0		0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437044	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/21/24, 8:47 AM	1731438175	1732178825		1782																										www.brightmeteors.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.brightmeteors.com/products/sunglasses-3			2.912390240751E+14	Brightmeteors.Q	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451295354_1216390236185440_8425031855223220918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sIFiD4oH8GUQ7kNvgEQUmv3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYCfkOCvRWYmv3-vKv8VrXw9HlyB6rEqwaFEGciMIISfQw&oe=6739666E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨https://t.site/4f5EdBY		Brightmeteors.Q		692	https://www.facebook.com/61559070989182/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437680	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/5/24, 6:50 AM	1731438414	1733403041		1782																										gamehollywood.com	Play Game			DCO	Welcome to Titan Revenge!	{{product.description}}	https://www.gamehollywood.com/ldp/cEEx.action?gameId=239&lp=tr10&cno=TitanRevenge_GHG_FB_T1			1.4803483505697E+14	Titan Revenge	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432049138_731012869138725_5954585650042261466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EnU6W5SDGuAQ7kNvgHJNiPr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYDVH8kjDymVXu9LJawfFwsfFAk74w2NsdGqPlLCE4axJA&oe=67397DC3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Join Titan Revenge for Epic RPG Action Battle, come discover and challenge! 💥💥		Titan Revenge		10317	https://www.facebook.com/TitanRevenge/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436667	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 6:00 AM	1731438021	1733227201		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-8			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461356333_3326501127486919_1073433548214211105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3M4vs0EcK6kQ7kNvgGAijIb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDJwPO4Ng78ldDcd2J3dv6hMBMmUZh3kYZdHy5ig3VhEw&oe=67397C30	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437059	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	4/9/25, 4:50 PM	1731438178	1744235425		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=xq15rjxmtejq6kcd5vyj&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.6784324641191E+14	Crossbow for you	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450616732_1645170189609869_1031713306868474900_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=e7ua6uayKooQ7kNvgFZD_By&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDKzWR9Bm8pJNqSf_aWniRa2ZEIU6l6F3ldUIOn1rsjDg&oe=67398E6D	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/3f532wpc				0		0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437017	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	1/29/25, 10:45 AM	1731438165	1738147501		1782																										www.rotayaltyte.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.rotayaltyte.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.9738724678266E+14	Rotayaltyte.	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451295024_453981914149435_3658348429224758335_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yOQ09M36xtsQ7kNvgHAxNBk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYDqMbi-UeaWSVMT09Qzp0Br5MULxSqe_xHOw7_l9KZibw&oe=67398D6D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Rotayaltyte.		2814	https://www.facebook.com/61554365665363/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437055	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/3/24, 5:39 AM	1731438177	1733225969		1782																										WWW.ENTRANTCE.COM	Shop now			VIDEO	These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool!		https://www.entrantce.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.2954280358293E+14	Entrantce	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450765068_1013529570297816_2525244020781496001_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aPVSWTSvPP0Q7kNvgFAnWaO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBUtJuVm38x6P6mfNpD4m4UxrCV_4X53Ssu7LMQTqKX0g&oe=67398E65	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨https://www.entrantce.com/products/sunglasses-2		Entrantce		896	https://www.facebook.com/61552360884227/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436679	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 7:15 AM	1731438023	1733404519		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461173079_1207942943657211_4189688490638822904_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ROgHwk6QMFQQ7kNvgHJ3XQe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYCGdy4wLmG7TMrJtLFNlItT8SGhHxf11Ligd2o3s8xgTg&oe=6739831A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436390	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/3/24, 5:50 AM	1731437902	1733226638		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436434	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/3/24, 5:51 AM	1731437920	1733226665		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437193	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	4/19/25, 6:22 AM	1731438237	1745061757		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445095996_8163703280331245_3206354831623512797_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IZKs_75qo3AQ7kNvgGvg9M0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYC0fINPDc1vGPli9KzaSHQj_MDNi30VlTsw6ECP1J7Aog&oe=67399255	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436691	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 7:01 AM	1731438028	1733230869		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459760946_2426112134434744_8139480470379012845_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HIzXFsWzxLMQ7kNvgEDbnjI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYBwXh9N2sLVisQ8fvIhI3Hf5E-L71fyKGVaI_mamZPuFA&oe=673963CF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437565	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/30/24, 11:47 PM	1731438383	1733032047		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436324	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/1/24, 8:56 AM	1731437872	1733065004		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437079	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/6/24, 7:33 AM	1731438186	1733492008		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437171	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438226	1732022966		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Satisfied Customers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-mount			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448262278_478291738205058_9161831533689948357_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gIMeY47K43IQ7kNvgHf_OwN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYDaUCRzVTdT9lnNtEJKYYNeKz79pLOQByAluGIY7-JCTw&oe=67395BAC	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		Upgrade Your Hunting Game! 🌳 Mount your smartphone on any rifle or crossbow and record stunning videos. Stay connected in the wilderness, grab yours today! Hurry, grab your set today! 👉 https://thedauos.com/dauos_mount				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437188	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/6/24, 12:30 PM	1731438236	1733509814		1782																										asmartly.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://asmartly.top/products/g?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			1.1686234801741E+14	میرا دین اہلبیت	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445185909_1472083653513368_1349466784396189991_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tRD-7h44c8gQ7kNvgF5D6a8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYBW475nqGtkC1YuSxYMT1qFubd-un3kjS9JnplPucqc5g&oe=67395B87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				میرا دین اہلبیت		9	https://www.facebook.com/100090948525258/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437199	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/9/24, 6:30 AM	1731438239	1733747405		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444485780_317982888011691_8792308689148427600_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5JFNF4hWHf0Q7kNvgGitN3o&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCk2PNsIKxeljL3474OX2KKkBO0eUlatT_gTTV7b3PcKw&oe=67395F1E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437265	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 12:29 PM	1731438265	1733250578		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437598	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438391	1732022966		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/gregbridgesart			1.0620474221814E+14	gregbridgesart	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/363895122_621162433473069_7198498876232514127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1QsCtvvhTMoQ7kNvgGcoUEC&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDaOnryE8-KbeVNlBLUz11Y_BTwU9OMR0VepsmfZWzV6A&oe=67397645	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				gregbridgesart		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gregbridgesart	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437264	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 9:29 PM	1731438265	1733369343		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437648	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 7:37 PM	1731438405	1733276268		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436227	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/30/24, 5:43 PM	1731437831	1733010240		1782																										merrithew.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://www.merrithew.com/instructor-training/find-training/ontario-toronto#workshops			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465984601_1458684198139170_5437178588802457217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9QmycRt7DtoQ7kNvgHVqRio&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYD5iBl-R0ZvG7mqqH4SfI0dVlx0-dUI1DDxlU-GJKwSJg&oe=67399203	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437437	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/2/24, 3:04 PM	1731438339	1733173455		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434560139_453640453653351_1627885482373275511_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZR3dnC3_F9gQ7kNvgFnrUH6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYCATHEbplxZywLGmKsw0rhETyQLsCSYQ-9PN9bL4IfxUA&oe=673964C1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437653	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 11:00 PM	1731438406	1733374805		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437667	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/5/24, 3:32 AM	1731438411	1733391173		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436421	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437916	1732022967		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436473	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 7:29 PM	1731437936	1733426940		1782																										pnumaoutdoors.com	Shop Now			DCO	Pnuma Highpoint Series	Crafted with Berber Fleece and PrimaLoft Silver Insulation, this is our warmest jacket yet. Designed for stealth and comfort, High Loft Berber Fleece provides superior warmth and silence, while microfleece sleeves maintain dexterity and maneuverability.	https://pnumaoutdoors.com/products/pnuma-highpoint-jacket			1.3245122442319E+15	Pnuma Official	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465059389_1092548069142797_9200126120820130936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VNsmkHbviAQQ7kNvgFtxsJu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC88dltsWkfUDLcHxmIqcgWpgSDOMbdc1UyxtQtz_N99g&oe=67397370	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defy frigid conditions with unparalleled warmth and stealth. Our Highpoint Collection is engineered to keep you silent and warm, even in the harshest cold-weather conditions.		Pnuma Official		23243	https://www.facebook.com/PnumaOfficial/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436688	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438027	1732022967		1782																										typicaln.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://typicaln.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.0600159913742E+14	Typicaln	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459839068_1966977873716098_5575148997567156447_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fZo4Jhc5oxoQ7kNvgGvq4EY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYBlq1mO27a9z2Utuky_dlwwymgmTRXbyQqUajPL2ar24Q&oe=67399138	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Typicaln		228	https://www.facebook.com/100091985941547/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436760	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/2/24, 11:36 AM	1731438059	1733160975		1782																										appraisalm.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://appraisalm.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.1520123815761E+14	Appraisalm	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458912088_907327587943097_1770435931492262860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=esQoWMjw9nsQ7kNvgHuMJEi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYD_AF-9ZbIfRBguzJTn8GfgubczeCl6iYh3Hrk1W5KMDQ&oe=67397F99	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Appraisalm		208	https://www.facebook.com/100090392443780/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436975	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438148	1732022967		1782																										misconstructed.info	Learn more			VIDEO	Hit the "Learn More" button now to secure your prize! 👇		https://misconstructed.info/landers/mfc/usa/RavinTedNugent?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=6698ec4eaabe780012e1bead			1.0796897832873E+14	Nông My	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451842603_1200407977977380_8598971643442908765_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fbYyxDGdUe4Q7kNvgHYljZO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYAKGPU3wNS5bVqPFzxGLXtFwI6JzuCxiBNtnV7tEN7Y8w&oe=67398F48	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're reading this, 😱 Celebrate your luck! You are one of the 3,000 lucky winners who have won a Ravin R29 Crossbow for just $10 in our giveaway. 🥳		Nông My		0	https://www.facebook.com/100095653327716/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436795	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/30/24, 5:09 PM	1731438070	1733008169		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2436809	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 4:08 AM	1731438075	1733306892		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457466383_1686172778813184_5111813686781282742_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NTu1rI-Tl6kQ7kNvgGzQIlq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDsA8-0ZlP19e9VXmLlVTN-axmyEFjna9xjO4YebtXxdA&oe=673970E7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437005	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/25/24, 12:05 AM	1731438160	1732514754		1782																										www.thecoursof.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.thecoursof.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.0137355622888E+14	Thecoursof.US	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451726765_3812538122399559_415626779586701329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wBKJ5Z31jhsQ7kNvgEviQWI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYAkttn7aw7UQBvcDE6ljh8FQlBTZr4PSQmh7-d6A7wzzw&oe=67395E36	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		赞助内容 🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Thecoursof.US		287	https://www.facebook.com/100090500295923/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436981	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 8:56 AM	1731438150	1733324193		1782																										www.empiricala.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.empiricala.com/products/sunglasses			1.0448556572623E+14	Empiricala-eg	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452003382_1260937895315453_2195603112363702890_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KAp9GI7Dl3sQ7kNvgHZjTGV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYD1FmXhNvVklvSH1FDKLx_s9Y-bI4GtyV0Z2L8wmq7Ohg&oe=67395E17	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨https://t.site/4cGBHjR		Empiricala-eg		3648	https://www.facebook.com/100085528315581/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437031	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/24/24, 10:13 PM	1731438170	1732507980		1782																										www.baintonceal.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.baintonceal.com/products/sunglasses-3			1.0993268514352E+14	Baintonceal.USA	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451107600_1544715262792777_5942414928490480638_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VfHtCe_bJQAQ7kNvgER1XAM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYAGoCGrhfqsS0c7UaCJKrkqJRxMUwa7t-PtK5iNGmTojA&oe=6739867F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Baintonceal.USA		484	https://www.facebook.com/100084168013287/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437030	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/25/24, 4:19 AM	1731438170	1732529989		1782																										www.thecoursof.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.thecoursof.com/products/sunglasses-2-2?variant=74704			1.0137355622888E+14	Thecoursof.US	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451115380_878955357402231_4409128852927825675_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0bK4-yB-PosQ7kNvgFtPRa7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYBSxSM-3ofGqe9TMGjt0ajgGH365ESZoIP5WPrW_GpntA&oe=673990D9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Thecoursof.US		287	https://www.facebook.com/100090500295923/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437034	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:51 PM	1731438170	1733349119		1782																										densityg.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://densityg.com/products/sunglasses			1.7962472523502E+14	Densityg.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451545008_448057951383035_6131080987782046863_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PptGuFCdqD8Q7kNvgF3VeVm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYB_1dOJzucsdTHlUNod4UmNYvqhlQyx89LgBuSffmUqIw&oe=67398292	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Densityg.com		69	https://www.facebook.com/61553986030885/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437048	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/5/24, 7:16 AM	1731438175	1733404588		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=3dhnzpmcw76r9l71pk9o&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3521339968266E+14	Ravin for everyone	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451013528_503781888737047_2547179154893131660_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8paqHpr4SZgQ7kNvgE1VzJh&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYDS85F20k-Ii6O1d5kAsKanx0GK1SENxC1zknWa6X8lsg&oe=67396BF1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/2fh3frae		Ravin for everyone		25	https://www.facebook.com/61561353158058/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437041	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/22/24, 4:41 AM	1731438174	1732250464		1782																										www.arbitrbilogy.com	Shop now			VIDEO	49.9%🔥Sale Ending Soon! 🚀	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 Reviews	https://www.arbitrbilogy.com/products/sunglasses-3			3.0392341946169E+14	Arbitrbilogy.y	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451459162_493866026447859_5554674438772541479_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MEMazrprirsQ7kNvgFKQnh3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV_eFA3OUNt3FXU2bOp8-lT&oh=00_AYDwvGNmUOoVIMkrox5nGOZGoL7B-Yt9fPFZKoMyHbXong&oe=6739764A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨ https://www.arbitrbilogy.com/products/sunglasses-3		Arbitrbilogy.y		286	https://www.facebook.com/61557952817448/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437075	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 5:54 AM	1731438185	1733313266		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437077	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 9:16 AM	1731438185	1733325413		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437081	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 11:03 PM	1731438187	1733375004		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437089	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/1/24, 10:33 PM	1731438189	1733113995		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437515	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/4/24, 3:03 PM	1731438367	1733346195		1782																										zklshopec1.top	Learn more			VIDEO			https://zklshopec1.top/products/q?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			5.2842365726323E+14	Serious Bookings	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434269680_450752013973618_4264633037474322466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gcYPyXPbWugQ7kNvgFkzEm2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBcmJFyo4QIWvIhpYiUC_FQ3l2XWXgTRDNqx45-U65BJw&oe=67396439	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Serious Bookings		79	https://www.facebook.com/seriousbookings/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437084	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 9:21 PM	1731438188	1733368901		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Exclusive Lighting Design	The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450370522_446449848227984_8625808796578727815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wu_Z73NVZWAQ7kNvgET_yR0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDOEJ8P4zJYS6nQ34P2n81EFmqo7GEauBq8J_QHblrT-Q&oe=67396614	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The building block set and the lighting set are designed integrally to ensure excellent lighting effects, smooth building experience and neat cord management.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437093	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438191	1732022967		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437091	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/30/24, 10:45 PM	1731438190	1733028310		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437100	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 8:25 AM	1731438195	1733322349		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			IMAGE			http://instagram.com/sportsmen_target			3.4354671884169E+14	Sportsmen Target	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450197673_1118634189210885_345979620403485114_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6GHWrfxez_kQ7kNvgEYq0jS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBf09qR1js6-qnx_2GIyLnLCGW2dPnrrBWJhqhcZM5D_w&oe=67397017	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🇺🇸 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰Ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren kompletten Einkauf bei @steambow !!! Wie? Ganz einfach über meinen Link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Es freut mich sehr es euch mitteilen zu dürfen!! Ich arbeite ab jetzt enger mit Steambow zusammen und kann euch einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren Einkauf geben. Ihr geht über meinen Link, macht den Einkaufswagen voll (auch Sammelbestellung) und ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf den kompletten Einkauf. Wenn ihr mich unterstützen wollt, gebt den Link gerne weiter😎👊🏽 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰You get a one-time 5% discount on your entire purchase at @steambow !!! How? Quite simply via my link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Shipping world wide! I am very pleased to be able to tell you! I am now working more closely with Steambow and can give you a one-off 5% discount on your purchase. You go through my link, fill up your shopping cart (also collective order) and you will get a one-time 5% discount on the complete purchase. If you want to support me, please pass on the link #crossbow #crossbowshooting #crossbowlife #sport #archery #steambow #steambowusa #steambowstinger2tactical #fabdefense #focus #steambowstinger #combatsports #combat #combatshoot #crossbowpistol #hunting #fishing🎣 #rabatt #custom #tactical #gun #m4 #vortex #discount #target #focus		Sportsmen Target		106	https://www.facebook.com/61561180437404/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437104	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 9:24 AM	1731438195	1733325862		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/the_artifact_armory			2.0444567276281E+14	the_artifact_armory	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/434065017_916149810517293_3946055406223079127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=jpr7v6BPfDkQ7kNvgGRU0dk&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAQldWZcCPNG2O-l3mNLT9hgucmg1P5e80gp8lOlE_dsA&oe=673986FD	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				the_artifact_armory		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/the_artifact_armory	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437129	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438205	1732022967		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://pocketpromo.site/?key=wnouot1fjg4v5q7gpykx&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3763751610825E+14	Crossbows For you	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449067180_1162631364995514_8801512956545277818_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=508-Ewd7JzcQ7kNvgEVXuW0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYCM89IuH6sW5KWWpAVb_Z1X6zic0DUhNwLZsziEBVcGmw&oe=673981AD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/yvb72ude		Crossbows For you		12	https://www.facebook.com/61561662806429/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437124	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 8:18 AM	1731438204	1733321900		1782																										www.icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO	❤️‍🔥 FINAL DAY: 50% OFF! ❤️‍🔥		https://www.icefacibuy.top/products/czymmms?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			3.6224233364095E+14	Dr. Ira Sharlip	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449107659_449726421201299_2828944545146367422_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B9PcTQIlVjEQ7kNvgEAFkyy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A6oVnNmVc68eKKOFdaMs_no&oh=00_AYCB3c8R2UqMrDZUWoNxMpm9DdweeN_RnJWBpMu_TEti5w&oe=67397AB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock the Power of Transformation! From caterpillar to dragon, experience a magical journey with us. ❤️		Dr. Ira Sharlip		13	https://www.facebook.com/61561535936393/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437112	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 4:26 PM	1731438199	1733351216		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Get 100,000,000 diamonds		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lnaz.jlsyen			1.0134464269417E+14	Ninefold Fairyland	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449925288_1809392392921696_762141373322378765_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hzLs0IhRLdgQ7kNvgEUpjvp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYAa92Gbej0R-bUBViQ7jIKL5svbLpQJVBjNxo6D8gFiNg&oe=67399002	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎁brand new mmo officially release! 😍Get strong without spending, 💎 Pack code: 🎁VIP555 🎁VIP777 🎁VIP999		Ninefold Fairyland		532	https://www.facebook.com/100084264623823/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437122	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 7:43 PM	1731438203	1733363031		1782																										www.icefacibuy.top	Learn more			VIDEO	❤️‍🔥 FINAL DAY: 50% OFF! ❤️‍🔥		https://www.icefacibuy.top/products/czymmms?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			3.6224233364095E+14	Dr. Ira Sharlip	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449436597_1660366711379849_104482571019264278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=maQUZ-h-8woQ7kNvgFSf11O&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYCN9l694qB_lbdbYq20JQVRt_bBaMQVbRrPEvb7vc8Ccw&oe=67397E1D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock the Power of Transformation! From caterpillar to dragon, experience a magical journey with us. ❤️		Dr. Ira Sharlip		13	https://www.facebook.com/61561535936393/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437134	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438208	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/scrawndo			4.0050501980135E+14	scrawndo	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/448930830_1015650613330666_764203175699595266_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=1TmaTHMqocAQ7kNvgGsQG-O&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYArE_i7BRX6ys43z5B5zeICrGRBjfMpO_Eal1CwpFCSMg&oe=67397A4E	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		one time i tried streaming #doink #twitch #streamer		scrawndo		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/scrawndo	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437132	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 4:55 PM	1731438208	1733352937		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://pocketpromo.site/?key=4iyljtkw1n1p3kfiwu54&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.4193518234086E+14	Hot Offer	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442417020_906972978113020_7355796759330896319_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FEmJCZzQeDAQ7kNvgGkB_Rf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYArDg71FF5hukStHnoz-4TVDikLja4camMJfAIqg9OhXg&oe=67398AE4	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/bden3cmu		Hot Offer		19	https://www.facebook.com/61561191825075/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437139	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438212	1732022967		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						3.4354671884169E+14	Sportsmen Target	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448981157_1431160800870682_5235446761266379235_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mYlpN5dVYOQQ7kNvgGxBeLm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYCdieFdPbmccVASP-GHw7aax4lODtQEIcn5zgNkVNCNwA&oe=67395C89	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🇩🇪🇺🇸 Happy Sunday 🦂 Steambow M10! Effektiv, taktisch, Compact! - Carbon Warbolts - Sehnenwax von Barnett Hatte schon lang nicht mehr soviel Spaß. In nächster Zeit (noch im Aufbau) erkläre ich euch die tauglichen Einsatzmöglichkeiten der M10 🇺🇸🇩🇪 Happy Sunday 🦂 Steambow M10! Effective, tactical, compact! - Carbon Warbolts - Tendon wax from Barnett Haven’t had this much fun for a long time. In the near future (still under construction) I will explain the possible uses of the M10 #crossbow #crossbowshooting #crossbowlife #sport #archery #usarchery #steambow #steambowusa #steambowstinger2tactical #steambowstinger #crossbowpistol #hunting #fishing🎣 #barnett		Sportsmen Target		106	https://www.facebook.com/61561180437404/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2437143	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438213	1732022967		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448372124_312505641923973_1086292447209913358_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DPJZzl9FhsYQ7kNvgH73TTW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYC5yhAtaW5I3Xu3cEawZ8VV2lz5eRDOOvtG6jPvvuHjnw&oe=673987B5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		100M players‘ choice. Join now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437154	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438216	1732022967		1782																										lumenok.com	Learn More			DCO	Lighted Nock Selector	{{product.description}}	https://lumenok.com/pages/nock-selector?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=Facebook_Insta_Nock+Selector&utm_campaign=Nock_Selector_Social_Ad			1.8407539497697E+14	Lumenok	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/393501653_1971134739939628_5368681016984060141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FBd8kqnE5I4Q7kNvgFpIA3Q&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAsCbL9cs921D91mfQAs3ukaELaJBVyhh3MxAVhtm8tOg&oe=67398A22	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Don't know what size nock you need? Head over to the nock selector & find the EXACT nock for your arrow.		Lumenok		166155	https://www.facebook.com/Lumenok/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437141	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/1/24, 7:31 PM	1731438212	1733103096		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448643046_1199042404448088_1376971812757628807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cLvKhBHJUKUQ7kNvgHpyipg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYCDkeP8JRbgogxRj7uresnSPa6GR2QR9ktgFiLz4zVZhg&oe=673985F7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		100M players‘ choice. Join now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437167	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/6/24, 7:53 PM	1731438222	1733536407		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Satisfied Customers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-mount			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448209160_1405764116789120_119325696223302508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=awNMFEqnPtwQ7kNvgEJ3xKO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYDn7oIVe8SwEu4QwBJ2SlAghBhlFY9FeoWjrm9NJWRg_g&oe=67397C34	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		Upgrade Your Hunting Game! 🌳 Mount your smartphone on any rifle or crossbow and record stunning videos. Stay connected in the wilderness, grab yours today! Hurry, grab your set today! 👉 https://thedauos.com/dauos_mount				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437182	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438233	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/spellbound_archive			2.696203228924E+14	The Spellbound Archive	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445408230_464328772937282_6576593722077286296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fxhtU9IBmHkQ7kNvgHK0eN4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYAbLBn1vpuiCq-kWBk89QyiN9dEQ31EpKCqYj8S5qxeAw&oe=67397EFF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				The Spellbound Archive		2	https://www.facebook.com/61557003984252/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437184	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438235	1732022967		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/spellbound_archive			2.696203228924E+14	The Spellbound Archive	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445408230_464328772937282_6576593722077286296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fxhtU9IBmHkQ7kNvgHK0eN4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYAbLBn1vpuiCq-kWBk89QyiN9dEQ31EpKCqYj8S5qxeAw&oe=67397EFF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				The Spellbound Archive		2	https://www.facebook.com/61557003984252/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437179	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 10:33 PM	1731438231	1732854816		1782																										play.google.com	Use app			IMAGE	Continue reading,👉opening the app will jump to the book	Great Story Starts Here	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dreame.reader			1.8869917433007E+14	Ringdom-z	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/447958691_8128459180498080_496270071935686596_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Uh2JFq_LWzoQ7kNvgF89FSy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCeOsJFyByE1ElffGIeYMTSDQCbuLQo3RcQlbNR7w3meg&oe=67395BEC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		When a rival family murders her father and brothers, she knows she doesn't have much of a choice. Kill or get killed. ------- Chapter 1 The day that Marco Mastroianni was killed was the day that changed Modesty's life. Marco was the head man of the mafia in Catania, Italy. He was also her grandfather. She was only nine years old at the time. That was also the day that Seargeah decided that he didn't want his only daughter to grow up in that kind of life. As he had and his three sons will. But first, he had to convince his wife Carmela. Carmela had always wanted a daughter. Modesty is the spitting image of her mother. She is also as sweet and docile as Carmela. But has the temper from her father's side of the family. After four long days of talking and arguing, Seargeah finally was able to convince Carmela that it would be best if their daughter moved to New York. He has a sister and brother-in-law that lives there. His sister, Lagia and Tobias Vlaho have not been blessed with kids. Seargeah and Carmela have three sons, Marcello is the oldest than Errico and Filippo. Modesty is also the youngest of the four kids. Modesty's papa took his papa's place in the mafia the same day that his father was killed. Marcello is next in line. The Mastroianni has always had enemies. But their number one enemy is the Troisi family, It is run by Salvatore. He and his wife Pietra has five kids. Elexandros is the oldest and next in line to take over. Santo, Giusto, Ciro, and their only daughter Rosalia. None of them has any knowledge that Modesty exists. Modesty met Lincoln Moore on the first day of her arrival in New York. Lincoln lived next door to her aunt and uncle. He fell in love with her the moment he saw her. Lincoln walked up to Seargeah and looked up at him in his eyes. "Sir I am Lincoln Chadrick Moore. I am your new son-in-law." He extends his hand out to her father Seargeah nods his head and extends his hand out to Lincoln. "Son you already have a good grip. But my daughter has to marry a man that can take care of her and protect her. Do you honestly believe that you can do that?" He looks at Lincoln "Yes sir, I will protect her with my life. I will be a millionaire one day, Modesty will never have to want for anything." Lincoln is still looking at Seargeah. "Son for some reason I believe you will. Yep, I believe you will." Seargeah smiles and nods his head. That was fifteen years ago. Modesty is twenty-four now, she is one of the top fashion designers in the world. She is 5'8 with long black hair, brown eyes, and naturally tanned skin. Modesty is also married to her childhood sweetheart Lincoln Moore. The couple was married on her eighteen birthday. Lincoln is 6'1, twenty-six years old, medium brown complexion, brown eyes, bald head, a goatee and is very handsome. That day when Lincoln told her father that he was going to be a millionaire he was wrong. He is a billionaire, business magnate, and i software developer. He and Modesty have three kids. Two girls and a son. Four-year-old Legacy is the spitting image of her mother. Serenity is two years old. She is a mixture of both parents. Then there is Lincoln's mini-me eight months old Amadeo. Modesty has never been back to Catania since the day she came to the United State. Her family visits her twice a year. That is on her birthday and Christmas. When she was growing up she and Lincoln spent a lot of time together. He was quarterback and captain of the football team. Modesty was head cheerleader. During the senior year, they were Homecoming King and Queen. They were and still are inseparable. Neither one has ever dated anyone else. Lincoln would be in the room with Modesty while she was training. So when she was training, he was developing software. She is a 10th-degree black belt in Taekwondo, and is a blackbelt in Kung fu. 10th Dan in Keno. Modesty also has other survival skills. Such as expert crossbow, ax, and knife thrower. She is so good with a gun that Lincoln calls her a sniper. He should know he is also an expert marksman Her aunt and uncle treated her as if she were their own child. They wanted Modesty to go to college to become a doctor. But she didn't want any part of that life. She always knew that she wanted to be a fashion designer. Lincoln stood behind her one hundred percent. Her parents are her uncle and her aunt didn't fight her on it. Lincoln became a millionaire when he was eighteen. A billionaire at the age of twenty. He created some computer software. Several companies were interested in buying it. Lincoln decided to cut out the middle man. Which seems to work for him. His net worth is 10.3 billion now. ***** "Catania Italy" Salvatore Troisi has called a meeting. He and his family have been trying to take over the Mastroianni. Especially after the death of Marco. Salvatore underestimated Seargeah. Salvatore was under the impression that Marco was still running things. But it was Salvatore, Marco just still had the title. He planned on taking over the Mastroianni territory. Salvatore has even tried to bribe some of some men that work for Salvatore. No person in their right mind would ever betray a Mastroianni. **** Elexandros is thirty-one, 6'0" black eyes, and has short black hair. He is handsome but is also very cocky. Elexandros believes that no woman can resist him and his charm. Those that have resisted him have always ended up with a permanent scare on their face. Santo is twenty-nine, 5'9 black eyes and long black hair, He is handsome as his brother Elexandros but not as strong or confident. He is married to Maria, she is also twenty-nine. She wears her hair short and thinks that she is the answer to every man's prayers. Maria had several lovers. Santo and her marriage were arranged, she was supposed to have married Elexandros. But he didn't feel that she was pretty enough or worthy of him. One day she just disappeared. Ciro is twenty -six, 5'10 black hair and black eyes. He is just as handsome as his other brothers. The only thing different about him and his family is that he is a priest. That was the only way he could think of to get him out of the mafia life. Giusto and Rosalia are twins, and twenty-three years old. Giusto and Elexandros should have been twins. Because he is the younger image of his older brother. Giusto wants to be just like Elexandros in every way. Rosalia is 5'7 brown hair and brown eyes. She has no ambitions in life besides shopping and marrying a rich man. Chapter 2 Today is Filippo's twenty-sixth birthday. Seargeah is planning to spend the day with his sons after an important meeting. He will be leaving tomorrow to visit Modesty and her family. He will be traveling with them to an island in the Bahamas. The island is one of the four islands that Lincoln and Modesty own. Carmela is looking forward to tonight. She has planned a surprise party for Filippo. Tonight is also the night that he will announce his engagement. Carmela has chosen Cecilia Russo. She is the daughter of a local businessman and a friend of Seargeah. Cecilia is twenty-one 5'7" shoulder-length black hair and black eyes. Seargeah is meeting his sons at one of his restaurants after his meeting. Marcello is leaving one of his one-night stands apartments. As soon as he starts the car, it blows up. Errico loves going to the ocean just to walk and look at the sunrise and sets. Today he and his fiancee Laila, are sitting on a blanket watching the water. Errico always said that the water calms him. His cellphone rings, he looks at the screen but doesn't recognize the number. But he answers it. It was a call from an unknown man telling him about his brother's car had been blown up. He and Laila don't waste any time running to the car to go check on Marcello. He is also trying to call his father and Filippo. He starts his car it also blows up. The same thing had happened to Filippo as he is leaving his favorite coffee shop. Seargeah, Leo, and Alonzo are sitting in the car, they are leaving to meet his sons. When his phone rings. He doesn't look at his number. He gets calls all the time from numbers that he doesn't know. So he answers it. "Phone Conversation" Seargeah: Hello Unknown: First there were three sons. Now there are none I would make you suffer, but that wouldn't be any fun. Seargeah: What have you done to my sons? Unknown: (laughs) Seargeah: Who in the hell is this? Unknown: (laughs) Seargeah: You bastard. If you have harmed, my sons, in any way. I will make sure that you will suffer. Even if I die doing it. I promise you. "End of call" "That bastard hung up. Leo, Alonzo you two call Filippo and Errico. I am calling Marcello." Seargeah is dialing a number. All three men weren't able to reach the three men. "Shit" Seargeah yells as Leo starts the car. All three men were blown up. **** "Sempre Orso" (Forever Ours is the name of the Mastroianni's Estate.) When Franco walks into the room Carmela is decorating for the party, she is holding a vase of red roses. She looks up at him, she knew that something was wrong. By the way, he is looking at her. "Franco, no" She shakes her head, looking at him. "Who?" "First you should sit down." He points at a chair "Who?" She yells Franco drops his head. " All four of them. Including Laila, Leo, and Alonzo." Carmela drops the vase. She falls onto the floor, sitting on it crying. She looks up at him. "How?" "They were blown up in their cars." Franco takes out a handkerchief, and he hugs and wipes her face. She shakes her head. "I'm fine. I'm fine. I need a few minutes alone. Have someone clean this up. I have a call to make." She stands up and walks out of the room. As soon as Carmela is in her bedroom She loses it, she burst out crying falling on the bed. **** "Troisi's house" Elexandros is sitting in the den, his sister walks into the room. "Rosalia, you need to get married. The first thing I am going to do when I take over is to marry your ass off. Hell you're not doing anything else. So you can at least have some babies." She turns to look at him. "Not you or anyone else is going to force me to marry anyone that I don't love or have some crying babies. If you want some babies in the family. Then you get married and have some." She walks out of the room. His cellphone rings. He smirks looking at the number on the screen. "Phone Conversation" Elexandros: You better be calling me to say that it's done. Unknown: Yep, the father and the three sons don't exist anymore. Three more people are also taken care of. Elexandros: I don't care about those three. That was their fault, being with those bastards. Remember don't say a damn word to my father or anyone else about this. Unknown: My lips are sealed "End of call" He laughs as he walks over to the bar. "That just leaves Carmela. I don't have to worry about her. Now that Seargeah is gone she will give up without a fight." He mumbles and laughs. Salvatore walks into the den. "What have you in a cheerful mood? "Nothing at all my dear father. How did your meeting go with the shippers?" Elexandros holds his glass up at his father. "Those assholes are still being stubborn as hell. But our shipment will be out on time ." Salvatore sits down. "Good that's good. I have been thinking that now is the time for us to take over Mastroianni's territory." Elexandros smirks. He is only mentioning this to his father. Elexandros already has plans to start a takeover. Salvatore's cellphone rings. "Son don't rush things. We will have their territory soon. We just have to wait until the right time." He takes his phone out of his pocket. He wasn't on it but a few seconds. Elexandros knew that someone is calling him about Mastroianni's men's deaths. He pours himself another glass of brandy. "Damn it seems that Seargeah and his boys pissed someone off. They were all killed in car explosives. It looks like our time is sooner than I thought. Fix me a drink. It's time to celebrate." Salvatore smiles. **** "In New York City" Modesty is straddling Lincoln, both are moaning. He raises his head, kissing her breast. There is a knock on the door. She stops moving, looking at the door. "Who is it." "Mommy, daddy is us," Legacy and Serenity said in unison. "Cupcakes, you two go see Zara. Mommy and I will be down in a few minutes." He is looking at the door, "Okay daddy, but hurry up. We want pancakes." Legacy said before she and her sister leave the door. "It seems that our little tribe is craving for your delicious pancakes" She is sliding up his shaft. Lincoln grips her waist pulling her down on his shaft hard. "Cuore Mio," (My Heart) then we have to be quick." He pushes up inside her hard. Modesty moans as they are moving their bodies. He grips her waist tighter and flips her on her back. Lifts both of her legs over his shoulders thirst her harder, As they're moaning and moving in rhythm until they reach their climax together. Lincoln smiles, looking at her naked body."Damn, Cuore Mio, I wish we had more time this morning. But our Cupcakes want pancakes. You have a meeting in thirty minutes. He looks at the clock on the nightstand. "Tonight you and me right here after the kids are in bed. Don't be late." She gives him a peck on his lips. "I will never be late for you." He picks her up carrying her to the bathroom. The house phone rings as soon as they are walking into the bathroom. He stops by the vanity for her to answer it. She answers it. "Okay, Madre, stay calm. We will be there tonight." She hangs the phone up. "My Papa and brothers were killed." She looks at him. "Oh, Cuore Mio," He still has her in his arms. Lincoln sits her down on the chaise. "What do you need? " he kisses her forehead. Modesty shook her head. "Nothing. I'm okay. Let's get showered. Before our Cupcakes come back." "You're going after the bastards." He picks her up carrying her to the shower. "Yes, I am going to kill everyone that is responsible" She lay her head against his head. "You do whatever you have to do. I will take care of our kids. Just make sure that you be careful, and stay alive. As always, come back home to us." Lincoln is washing her. She nods her head. "Vengeance is mine sayeth Modesty." She whispers. ------- Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app)		Ringdom-z		19	https://www.facebook.com/61554776801645/	0		USE_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437172	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/4/24, 11:45 PM	1731438228	1733377513		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Limited Time Offer		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-sling-hook			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448350580_748873207173434_1351641074662444246_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L0b_RWXaSfUQ7kNvgH8ch3K&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCGvuXDC4Aonf2c_wRCOQnxSde3WnImRo8VIp1GP_qB-g&oe=67395B5A	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🌿 Unleash Your Hunting Potential with the Dauos Sling Hook! 🦌 Say goodbye to restrictions and hello to freedom with our revolutionary sling catch! Designed for hunters, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Dauos Sling Hook ensures your gear stays secure and your hands remain free for the thrill of the hunt. ✅ Secure Your Gear: Keep your rifle, bow, crossbow, or camera readily accessible while hiking rugged terrain or crossing streams with ease. ✅ Unmatched Versatility: Compatible with any sling up to 5/8" thick and adaptable to any pack strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is the ultimate solution for hunters of all disciplines. ✅ Quick and Easy Installation: No assembly required - simply attach to your favorite pack shoulder strap, trim to fit, and you're ready for action. ✅ Comfort and Reliability: Engineered for maximum comfort with specialized features to ensure a secure grip on your shoulder strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is your trusted companion on every adventure. Experience the difference today! Order your Dauos Sling Hook and elevate your hunting experience to new heights. 🌟 Get Yours Now and Embrace the Freedom of Unrestricted Exploration! 🔥 https://thedauos.com/slinghook				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437522	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438371	1732022967		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437190	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438236	1732022967		1782																											Like Page			VIDEO						1.0315704899291E+14	Cogan Lollins	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444500768_1160616268303621_4061437085044747478_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xuHnJtPgNKEQ7kNvgG-3ah0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYCdrAOzGp4-xYUGD75UkVUwW2bf7mNZkm7_ubGtAzJzdA&oe=673966D3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Van Helsing Full Timeline Explained! This video took a long time to make so I hope you enjoy. This has always been a favorite of mine so I really wanted to dive into all the mysteries in this movie. Check out my page for more videos about vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures!		Cogan Lollins		1779	https://www.facebook.com/CoganLollins/	0		LIKE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2437205	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438240	1732022967		1782																										www.snouinwbing.top	Learn more			VIDEO	Choose it, embrace your powerful moments!		https://www.snouinwbing.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			2.9412454712294E+14	Hazel Foster	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/424775680_1908328316265740_2934996130977771533_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PeC0PVUK658Q7kNvgEsFIVr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYC_GhUkKIzZLYjHnh0gvn6T_Mx9a-ba1KYmefFU--D1Kw&oe=67396A0B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		One drop unleashes male potential! ⚡️Unique formula, fully unleashes male energy. Choose it, embrace your powerful moments! https://www.snouinwbing.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Hazel Foster		36	https://www.facebook.com/61558846038002/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437200	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/5/24, 8:35 AM	1731438239	1733409346		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442417081_1172596744046814_3852445922968623114_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Lx8jA3FI8cYQ7kNvgE_2hzA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYC91qFlf6CtwTq5bQuXwkMUPzKOyCFhMdTJ32tLzpl0iw&oe=67396A4B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437214	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 2:39 PM	1731438245	1733085593		1782																										onlinehol.com	Shop now			IMAGE	onlinehol.com	Bored of standard dice rolling This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller It s compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices The loading mechanism allows you to lock the catch with 1 swift motion Use the trigger to release the dice It is recommended to aim the crossbow sl...	https://www.onlinehol.com/products/crossbow-dice-roller---holder			1.0061723310202E+14	Kf-help.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436495129_1660650907807329_8982746398740936113_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KhOsDAFp33kQ7kNvgGzejoi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYAlzx8UqvI3hIUcqb9bK-Sy-kLIy5ScGdsF5pnZ1KJ39g&oe=673969D1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎲Bored of standard dice rolling? This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller. It's compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices.		Kf-help.com		54	https://www.facebook.com/100094257708541/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437527	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/6/24, 10:48 AM	1731438372	1733503687		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437216	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/10/24, 8:34 AM	1731438245	1733841278		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437220	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438250	1732022968		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437225	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/5/24, 3:33 AM	1731438252	1733391205		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437534	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/5/24, 9:30 AM	1731438374	1733412635		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437235	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/9/24, 4:08 AM	1731438255	1733738891		1782																										www.bootstounrap.top	Learn more			VIDEO	Choose it, embrace your powerful moments!		https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			2.5077746146194E+14	Caroline Gomez	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442436393_963200828689412_3757247329834467692_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DnpxagpQwCYQ7kNvgFzqhNe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYA6HS7xaesg0oD_mlfukNOfAsHJtY84efzpS-XKKtmniQ&oe=673992EC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		One drop unleashes male potential! ⚡️Unique formula, fully unleashes male energy. Choose it, embrace your powerful moments! https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Caroline Gomez		37	https://www.facebook.com/61559259991872/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437256	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438261	1732022968		1782																										www.youtube.com	Sign up			VIDEO	D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 118: Gazi!		https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeT_cRiddQgjRL7PWSHqx2g?sub_confirmation=1			2.2884553439139E+14	7 Sided Die	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438171115_949287890163656_2814139808725408671_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xq0wST3PKjYQ7kNvgFHvSkA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYAY4BkNOcOO-iSFeAraNZau0bpEopX_cvdRFAKXBHpChA&oe=673962F1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 118: Gazi! D&D Live Stream Thank you for checking out 7 Sided Die (7SD)! This is one of our live streamed games! We're a group of gamers. Some of us are military, some are in construction, IT, others retail managers, a few are parents, and still others are students, etc. So, we're just everyday people who stream live strictly for fun! We hope you enjoy our stream nonetheless! We stream our some of games on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/7SidedDie, on our Twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/7SidedDie, on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/7-Sided-Die-228845534391387/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/7_sided_Die, on our KICK page at https://kick.com/7-sided-die and occasionally on our Trovo page at https://trovo.live/s/7SidedDie/224125104. Our streams are archived indefinitely on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and as permitted by the level (Streamer, Affiliate, Partner, etc.) on Twitch, Kick and Trovo. Again, thank you for checking us out, and "Roll a 7 sided die!" '7 Sided Die is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Wizards of the Coast's Fan Content Policy is located here: https://company.wizards.com/en/legal/fancontentpolicy. Neither 7 Sided Die, the Carpathian Adventure nor any of 7 Sided Die's streams and videos are approved or endorsed by Wizards or Wizards of the Coast. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Some background music courtesy Syrinscape. ©Syrinscape. (Some) "Music and Sound by Syrinscape. "Syrinscape under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. More info here: creativecommons.org/licenses/" https://syrinscape.com/faq/ "Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound." Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/ 7SD 7SidedDie "7 Sided Die" 7_Sided_Die "Seven Sided Die" Seven_Sided_Die DnD D&D "dnd stories" "d&d stories" "dnd gameplay" "d&d gameplay" "dnd campaign" "d&d campaign" "dnd podcast" "d&d podcast" "Dungeons & Dragons" "Dungeons and Dragons" "DnD stream" "D&D stream" "DnD live stream" "D&D live stream" "Dungeons & Dragons stream" "Dungeons and Dragons stream" "D&D tips" "DnD tips" 5e "5th edition" Carpathia Carpathian "Carpathian Adventure" "Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard" GoaGG "Ximen Vall" "Ximén Vall" "Naldo Renzi" Ximén Balder "Alderic Westerbach" "Pandor Spocks" "Micolash Dolion" "Gelila Bemnet" "Borinth Ursus Spalaeus" "The Baron" "Mátyás Báthory" "Matyas Bathory" RPG "Role Playing Game" Tabletop "Table top" "Tabletop RPG" "How to play D&D" "Tom Jr" "Tom Frickanisce Jr" "Rainer Frickanisce" 7SD, 7SidedDie, 7 Sided Die, 7_Sided_Die, Seven Sided Die", Seven_Sided_Die, DnD, D&D, dnd stories, d&d stories. dnd gameplay, d&d gameplay, dnd campaign, d&d campaign, dnd podcast, d&d podcast, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, DnD stream, D&D stream, DnD live stream, D&D live stream, Dungeons & Dragons stream, Dungeons and Dragons stream, D&D tips, DnD tips, 5e, 5th edition, Carpathia, Carpathian, Carpathian Adventure, Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard, GoaGG, Ximen Vall, Ximén Vall, Ximén, Naldo Renzi Balder, Pandora Spocks, Alderic Westerbach, Micolash Dolion, Gelila Bemnet, Borinth Ursus Spalaeus, The Baron, Mátyás Báthory, Matyas Bathory, RPG, Role Playing Game, Tabletop, Table top, Tabletop RPG, How to play D&D, Tom Jr, Tom Frickanisce Jr, Rainer Frickanisce,		7 Sided Die		486	https://www.facebook.com/100067198293097/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437258	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 4:55 AM	1731438263	1733309741		1782																										fb.me	Get quote			VIDEO			http://fb.me/			1.0141003177907E+14	Igoldencnc	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440383891_787423983320202_6230827374274117953_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aZKWtEwtvSUQ7kNvgGlYFGr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYD8aNHjqVaQhcSbTr1N6tzsu3fO3MozrjLpTpOaxyY7eQ&oe=67398B3E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🛒Crossbow portable cnc plasma cutting machine 🟢Stable structure and long life 🟢Easy to move 🟢Economical and practical 🟩The portable CNC cutting machine is an ideal upgrade product to replace handheld flame-cutting equipment, handheld plasma cutting devices, profiling cutting machines and semi-automatic cutting carts. The use is as flexible and convenient as the cutting trolley, and it can be moved at will without occupying a fixed site. It is a CNC equipment specially used for sheet metal blanking. ⏳If you are interested, fill out the form for more information.		Igoldencnc		4582	https://www.facebook.com/igoldencnc/	0		GET_QUOTE								View Edit Delete
2437236	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/9/24, 3:30 AM	1731438256	1733736654		1782																										www.bootstounrap.top	Learn more			VIDEO	Choose it, embrace your powerful moments!		https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			3.1874161798369E+14	Claire Clark	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442413369_3699876566946199_2110720753421345085_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sxVGgS-eXr0Q7kNvgHEwsF0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDrnoYogOrwVEVWtRamlfD1MTGTcqCohCb0mdzRVZ9KOg&oe=67398D79	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		One drop unleashes male potential! ⚡️Unique formula, fully unleashes male energy. Choose it, embrace your powerful moments! https://www.bootstounrap.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Claire Clark		17	https://www.facebook.com/61559233052703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437542	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 4:29 AM	1731438376	1733048976		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437262	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/5/24, 3:02 AM	1731438264	1733389339		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437259	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/5/24, 10:13 AM	1731438264	1733393581		1782																										dice-heads.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	Dynamic Game Play		https://dice-heads.com/monthly-bundle/			2.3508972118139E+15	Dice Heads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441025634_427601459972226_2244058738067871556_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WJxJkrMyv9gQ7kNvgHzQ3Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYDZZWyeX7MnNWfTUIgzBl6bFWRmknHbCf9T6W2vFfMuCw&oe=67398109	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Dice Heads		2225	https://www.facebook.com/diceheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437537	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/7/24, 4:18 AM	1731438375	1733566719		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437546	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438378	1732022968		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437280	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438272	1732022968		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/westeroscontent_tunisia			1.020450962043E+14	A knight of the seven kingdoms : the hedge knight	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440371921_1133158534497408_9176131048586790803_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=d4XbnhWxYv8Q7kNvgEZsxQY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYB-PNj4L5__pL0Vb6Q82eCWWuyx-2RAXQdC7lSwHhOw8A&oe=673966E2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"In game of thrones Season 4 finale, and in 'A Storm of Swords' Chapter 77, Tyrion kills his father Tywin Lannister. While the fate of Tywin remains consistent in both the books and the show, the circumstances leading to his death differ. In the show, the argument revolves around Shae, and Tywin's derogatory remark about her prompts Tyrion to take action. However, in the books, Tyrion's motive is rooted in the quest to find his wife Tysha. When questioning Tywin about her whereabouts, Tywin callously responds with 'wherever whores go.' This haunting phrase not only triggers Tyrion to kill his father but also becomes a recurring inquiry in his subsequent encounters, as he grapples with the haunting question, 'where do whores go?'" #got#asoiaf#asos#tywin#tyrion#lannister		Westeros content tunisia		6	https://www.facebook.com/100091856498706/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437294	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438277	1732022968		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438651864_7530847457032564_6605369090009264704_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lmz5UEh7dWYQ7kNvgE0nvH1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYDWPpnTsuCurhjgsacscyGwnB-9zgHcb4b0f4iSbkXFig&oe=673969B0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437285	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 8:48 PM	1731438273	1733107726		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	⚠ WARNING-ADDICTIVE ⚠	100 pulls and 3 SSR heroes: Zhang Liao, LingQi and Zhuge Liang for beginners.	http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qoolandgames.swordchronicles.gp.us			1.0821506896058E+14	Sword Chronicles: Awaken	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438059704_1811318919294498_8814611532009892225_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ryRQ-Bv0OUQ7kNvgELfgnX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYBoAmfdUCg2HiZcUTuelkvL49_eMJAtvipS3XKNLUFxig&oe=67396761	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🔥Join the battle for supremacy! 🌟Over 100 epic heroes, thousands of lineups! 🎁Beginners can get up to 100 pulls for FREE!		Sword Chronicles: Awaken		16454	https://www.facebook.com/SCAwaken/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437302	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438281	1732022968		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437607258_1159916378688199_4518339552377818328_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ccxZ-lL4RYIQ7kNvgF3O_9n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYA9lqiUS69iX1B_YlALWJZk4Q3uUAxwb-nv-7NKMEJZPw&oe=67397460	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437319	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/29/24, 10:37 AM	1731438288	1732898233		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436236231_743217614661956_5188923105667158496_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nyplXkyP2-wQ7kNvgFYr9Q6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYDzYLP8Nf6Ai1e3Yoru7SuTtrC4MchZw5kVZnWOeKfN7g&oe=673980B1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437306	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 8:24 AM	1731438283	1733063054		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439755586_1803011836844474_6137525718417294590_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uOBeI3RoUioQ7kNvgE3MQe9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYANGVw4e4LA3gMpAKQR02sG0KUSnKGLzQH8v5UdHfniDQ&oe=67396172	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437326	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438292	1732022968		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437875573_752574620401462_6376715327212748395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uBUOdq6pSbUQ7kNvgH3-O0D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCl7I0fkCfGMfzGI8CGTA5Q04SYMoyDA889t5fN9267vA&oe=67398F71	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437324	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 3:04 AM	1731438291	1733303079		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437773742_3667519006899729_254128810596551141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jtyxWWo3WTgQ7kNvgGWYpnZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCJHnmZruk8yLR6ChzTwmnoSUdTS2XpMKeHPtwFOtXDlg&oe=6739630C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437332	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438293	1732022968		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438691738_450415110690553_5210565945093228563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=demMdjQAAMsQ7kNvgGe_KHV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCYjYhKouDoV5f8OUyRKVxVf_TauyHhTAmn2uGLBRyJcg&oe=6739850B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437328	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/30/24, 3:33 PM	1731438292	1733002397		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435725109_1844898732623030_3157260338843817817_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y8eQQiOm4NgQ7kNvgEjSba-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAUc0XT1a2IMUxrEw6D6QrBvDKEHBJ04K9F_OOEWrPZJQ&oe=6739692E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437330	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/2/24, 1:42 AM	1731438292	1733125368		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435690751_769403208658924_4024169789007209001_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SkUoB8xNv0AQ7kNvgEG4Cpt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYDC384lKag25Vg3HneoakhC3WGY0LOqDNzpgaNIskwVMA&oe=673963FA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437340	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438297	1732022968		1782																										steambow.at	Learn more			VIDEO			https://steambow.at/en			1.2420515158182E+15	Steambow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435885200_434826069088605_1672702391766715703_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gWTMf39QTMMQ7kNvgHD0NKC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYBzLgvOnTs1jfTMWdLa1FGWyJuBvD7WGags6KamcXh4dA&oe=67398A49	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Steambow - Premium Archery Equipment FENRIS - Compoundbow with magazine AR-6 Tactical, Compact - Crossbow with magazine and much more... See more on our website: 🇬🇧 https://steambow.at/en 🇩🇪 https://steambow.at 🇫🇷 https://steambow.at/fr 🇮🇹 https://steambow.at/it 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 https://steambow.com #steambow #steambowusa #steambowpower #steambowfenris #steambowstinger #steambowtactical #steambowcompact #premiumarcheryequipment #archery #archerypractice #archerylifestyle #archerylife #archeryseason #archerygirl #bogensport #bogensportextrem #tiralarc #crossbow #xbow #arbalete #whatgetsyououtdoors #whatgetsyououtside #sportsequipment #sportsgear #outdoorgear #targetpractice #balestra #compoundbow #compoundbowshooting #bogenschießen		Steambow		1237	https://www.facebook.com/Steambow/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437348	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/5/24, 10:10 AM	1731438302	1733415006		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437363	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/30/24, 8:57 PM	1731438313	1733021830		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435756834_1100704034514755_8927988907118565585_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oHy7M7dRsjEQ7kNvgGwfwEL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYD0xpmu1UYdJyP2HvxTWcBDAbHVIFgL_5EYedPQy0ounw&oe=67395FC1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437584	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 7:13 PM	1731438387	1733274792		1782																										www.dealwbig.top	Learn more			VIDEO	A drop witnesses the rocket ascending – this is the best gift for yourself.🥰❤️		https://www.dealwbig.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			2.2986018353932E+14	Mizzy Online	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433622693_1149819412626278_2404317748277757400_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0LmNGu2GyioQ7kNvgE9IkdP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYC1-2q3C_fgO2TRuBjf4Fpg24BXMeB6I0dwAgyXRTetJg&oe=67395C9B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A drop witnesses the rocket ascending – this is the best gift for yourself.🥰❤️ Click on the link below to receive your best gift for half price🥰❤️😍 https://www.dealwbig.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Mizzy Online		22	https://www.facebook.com/61555921441914/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437369	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/1/24, 6:45 AM	1731438315	1733057155		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435489466_435182998917069_7873664016896123895_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N19ln4X6GkEQ7kNvgGWFz1-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYDrWaxekiHvZBp3HvsFaLRmHhDi9vehJpGZs9wpt9vxNQ&oe=67399268	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437373	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438316	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436270720_957515095786467_875208830111518690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pC4aTY_tLmUQ7kNvgEEx-hT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCQawl-5H0pdTk3hMcQ00MpntgMiPxBd6kdEiUE3XXFkw&oe=673981A1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437381	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 4:07 AM	1731438319	1733738848		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436035257_901841738407194_7711667380692730888_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=npNRccpGCtAQ7kNvgHoZG-r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYARKzdaz2hJjVJ9KJBX8AcvMZrVLPEI0dcqS1XFUmR_Ag&oe=673974EC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437375	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 4:17 AM	1731438317	1733739427		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436358471_806009891384209_2684266132372405924_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3XaVobuXO2AQ7kNvgHyHuK5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYBnTEqZ4uLkxmamOdj-U7uUnBZjlPZHdHJmCzzBPxhIoQ&oe=6739637B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437390	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/2/24, 10:08 AM	1731438322	1733155709		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435901947_747557514111695_7269693715248732154_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mo66_uX1F2QQ7kNvgGk4337&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYCF2G4sZHTPkyfbXz-OXQp9WFvcYTuL4w6jHpjjJkdCjQ&oe=67396DDE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437660	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 12:12 PM	1731438409	1732731175		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437655	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/1/24, 1:25 AM	1731438408	1733037914		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437396	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438326	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922076_26020242234241797_2889841262972408798_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G9XZ5LIjiKsQ7kNvgHSdBLs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYCtIFc5VPBkp9pHwT0-Az1OIQz9I2I7ygJrj3sSXo6blA&oe=67396076	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437662	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 7:26 PM	1731438410	1733275579		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437677	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/6/24, 2:42 AM	1731438413	1733474530		1782																										gamehollywood.com	Play Game			DCO	Welcome to Titan Revenge!	{{product.description}}	https://www.gamehollywood.com/ldp/cEEx.action?gameId=239&lp=tr10&cno=TitanRevenge_GHG_FB_T1			1.4803483505697E+14	Titan Revenge	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432049138_731012869138725_5954585650042261466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EnU6W5SDGuAQ7kNvgHJNiPr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYDVH8kjDymVXu9LJawfFwsfFAk74w2NsdGqPlLCE4axJA&oe=67397DC3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Join Titan Revenge for Epic RPG Action Battle, come discover and challenge! 💥💥		Titan Revenge		10317	https://www.facebook.com/TitanRevenge/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436212	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437824	1732022968		1782																										www.newsbreakapp.com	Install now			IMAGE	Breaking news from Eau Claire!		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.particlenews.newsbreak			1.1167084617094E+15	Eau Claire, WI Local - News Break	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466674928_1026393229259790_169854924431669743_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c7XVQFTmd_cQ7kNvgGZTltJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYDWnsTgnWxf9GuvvDadOAPvN5MB9lFlwbFn1lTzh7IPZw&oe=67395B0D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Eau Claire News: Man sentenced for firing crossbow at people. Install news app trusted by millions to stay informed of latest Eau Claire local news!		Eau Claire, WI Local - News Break		1879	https://www.facebook.com/100068781712776/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436216	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437827	1732022968		1782																										bestdealhunt.online	Learn more			VIDEO	You Won! Claim Your Nitro 505	Claim Now!	https://bestdealhunt.online/pghg8EzfsO6a8ZJn/?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&site=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&placement=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D			5.0574664928074E+14	Good life-g59	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466581000_1212654116705685_6684439079582223627_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IihXbviO6-YQ7kNvgFEHTIG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYDTBKJgm6LM8GOC7yqFZlwZv--TiFtiRYL3scMVhPHdng&oe=67395AC5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Congratulations! 🎉 You're one of the lucky 3,000 people who have won a TenPoint Nitro 505 for no more than $10 in our giveaway. 🥳		Good life-g59		1	https://www.facebook.com/61568209435710/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436208	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 8:58 PM	1731437823	1732762715		1782																										roadsir.com	Shop now			IMAGE	Personalized Crossbow Hunting Arrow Christmas Ornament - 2024 New Release	Perfect for besties, sisters, siblings, and colleagues, this ornament is ideal for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and anniversaries. Its elegant and timeless design ensures it will be a meaningful and cherished keepsake, celebrating love and new beginnings in style. Product details: Size: 8 cm....	https://www.roadsir.com/arrow			1.1088126168535E+14	Roadsir	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466419501_1717434845498441_3553422850618948021_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hJ-mUhpsaYAQ7kNvgHiWAjQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYALeo8trm3ynHwzZlded2XLt-idqM8xS2gnIDjJ4yYh0Q&oe=67396CED	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Release❤️Personalized Crossbow Hunting Arrow Christmas Ornament.This would be a perfect anniversary gift🎁Order here: roadsir.com/arrow		Roadsir		1902	https://www.facebook.com/100083232349431/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436223	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 3:22 PM	1731437830	1732742530		1782																										merrithew.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://www.merrithew.com/instructor-training/find-training/ontario-toronto#workshops			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465984601_1458684198139170_5437178588802457217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9QmycRt7DtoQ7kNvgHVqRio&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYD5iBl-R0ZvG7mqqH4SfI0dVlx0-dUI1DDxlU-GJKwSJg&oe=67399203	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436228	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/5/24, 2:44 PM	1731437831	1733431443		1782																										bestdealhunt.online	Learn more			VIDEO	You Won! Claim Your Nitro 505	Claim Now!	https://bestdealhunt.online/pghg8EzfsO6a8ZJn/?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&site={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}			5.0574664928074E+14	Good life-g59	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466171515_613400551012742_7762020660438261629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Udt1P4veLp0Q7kNvgH2yuiA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYBvMOm_JxKWKhaXZJg3Psitw2spyW-Etd9wO7Pg6uRMPA&oe=67396A6E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Congratulations! 🎉 You're one of the lucky 3,000 people who have won a TenPoint Nitro 505 for no more than $10 in our giveaway. 🥳		Good life-g59		1	https://www.facebook.com/61568209435710/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436233	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437833	1732022968		1782																										www.standartd.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥It's been recommended by 1.2M people on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram		https://www.standartd.com/products/ai-bluetooth-smart-glasses			1.9081454079288E+14	Etsy-Standartd	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466070443_1068788497871807_431024686749911639_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VbOO39oPOBEQ7kNvgEwWQoi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYBpYGPw4r2uZX19BLatAYvQQbzdUlSws6FyCy7B-HXqow&oe=673987D4	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 Unlock Limitless Potential with Premium Smart Glasses! 🌟 Experience the perfect blend of technology and style with our high-end smart glasses, crafted to enhance every part of your life through powerful, seamless features: ✨ Hands-Free Calling – Effortlessly stay connected on the go, no need to lift a finger! 🎶 Immersive Bluetooth Audio – Bring your favorite tunes with you, anytime, anywhere. 📸 HD Photo Capture – Preserve unforgettable moments in stunning clarity. 🌍 Real-Time Translation – Communicate across languages, wherever you are in the world. Whether you’re working, traveling, working out, or simply living life, these smart glasses combine style and convenience to make each day extraordinary. 🛒👉standartd.com/products/ai-bluetooth-smart-glasses		Etsy-Standartd		446	https://www.facebook.com/61556318894494/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436235	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 3:49 AM	1731437834	1733132961		1782																														IMAGE						4.5450711774349E+14	Nicolas Gibbs	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466454219_3918358488408886_344708077568029362_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dtqdwDY450MQ7kNvgGeXSFL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYAobAjgSIeKy-KKASQkBm0i6D8S78oLYTIGwOojp2lYtg&oe=67398106	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Do not, I repeat, DO NOT buy a Crossbow from any TenPoint shop!!! Because... My brother works at TenPoint and told me that most people don’t know that if they answer a short survey, they can get the Nitro505 crossbow almost for free! I’ve already checked it out and received my Nitro, attaching a photo. Look how cool and powerful it is! I’ll leave the link in the comments; he sent it to me, where you can fill out the survey. It only takes 30 seconds. I don’t think this offer will last long, so don’t wait—fill out the survey now. Be sure to repost this or share it with your friends		Nicolas Gibbs		2886	https://www.facebook.com/61566985887375/	0										View Edit Delete
2437411	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 2:13 AM	1731438330	1733472837		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434652630_407012708629221_7469306964724001722_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SJkyOduUooYQ7kNvgHmJ5Ko&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD5noUSa8T8sGslPORLQclcE0bqRIIv4jEOzvhK_5QK-w&oe=673989DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437410	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 1:31 PM	1731438329	1733513462		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922861_277392808749491_6542146539746627498_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u2BbQCf_I1sQ7kNvgF533eR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYC5yatj6vEX2ggSOM4NKJUF3knd5IoVDaHqmr84jU4snA&oe=6739928F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437413	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/8/24, 11:42 PM	1731438330	1733722930		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436096764_2055936714788178_2501911458395791645_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GZvzMYzFJH8Q7kNvgGItvI6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYDwgodplvDG2JYZXlTI7PJY-SjSlGT8CHdtj4_WN4AnAA&oe=67396102	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436252	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/3/24, 6:57 PM	1731437842	1733273845		1782																											Buy now			IMAGE	Cabrinha Kiteboarding Lot- 12m Kite, Bag, & More		https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1066841851515534/			2.3217760747573E+15	Seth Schroerlucke	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466070442_457741494093187_4600237276284269304_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sZJCQEOvCyQQ7kNvgGT7AAe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYBkK12mE4JU_SsT8hoMkmACAwneKoYvtPy0-TpEcXNsuQ&oe=67398473	REGULAR_PAGE	1					1		Cabrinha Kiteboarding Lot- 12m Kite, Bag, & More - $165.00 All appear in really good condition. I purchased these kite surfing equipment a few years ago and never ended up using them, but were in good working order at the time, so I assume they still are. If there is something wrong with any of them, I will accept returns and split the return shipping within 30 days. Willing to Sell Separately • Cabrinha CROSSBOW 12m Kite Boarding Kite w/ Manual for Crossbow 2 • Cabrinha X Bow Crossbow Backpack Carrier Bag See photos for more detail SHIPPING- Click Buy Now PICKUP- Madison, WI (near eastside) Please let me know if you have any questions- thanks! Facebook Marketplace		Seth Schroerlucke		0	https://www.facebook.com/Seth-Schroerlucke-2321776074757332/	0		BUY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437417	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 9:31 AM	1731438332	1733499080		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435900502_956709476099084_5195021621820317599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jO4zDgT7W8UQ7kNvgESZSMm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYAbf7qmM9dLeRmCsXZxlYgJWFfD2TN7_sEVEAh0f_ugmQ&oe=6739890D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436260	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437845	1732022968		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	AccuBow | At-Home Virtual Archery	Free Shipping	https://accubow.com/products/accubow-2-0?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_term={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}&fbadid={{ad.id}}			1.0561733744456E+15	AccuBow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465051335_2849432825231145_4626092981845708828_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gweudEl1EQ0Q7kNvgEP8gGt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYD-UtUr9elfzzmlERhuSrzENmoXbBCGxP--fCCCqLbWeQ&oe=67395DB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ever heard of Virtual Archery? Meet the AccuBow! 🏹 The world's first ever Virtual Bowhunting game. With over 25+ game modes to choose from, you can engage in realistic simulation and fun practice from the comfort of your living room. Just download the app, attach your phone, and start hunting. See for yourself why the AccuBow is a “must have” for archers and bowhunters of all ages!		AccuBow		24568	https://www.facebook.com/accubow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437419	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438334	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435479633_409925998407769_2998626673035912586_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CdrhDUaWADUQ7kNvgGaX8wE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYC3PSyvO0hOs5HsbfFnsgsNZVGNPL_Wj4jBMprWntzs2w&oe=67397E49	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437423	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/4/24, 4:49 AM	1731438335	1733309341		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435489481_856287456312980_9059876891935253638_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RojAVwlnYWYQ7kNvgGKz7fa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBxBN1uHsxN0uEr0w-36qtH-qdufKLdPAyJQDZgrxCmjg&oe=6739869C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436272	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/7/24, 9:40 AM	1731437851	1733586009		1782																										primedealpicks.online	Get offer			VIDEO	You Won a Free TenPoint Nitro 505!	Claim Now!!!	https://primedealpicks.online/us-tp-giveaway-1105-2/?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&site=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&placement=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D			3.9861399334613E+14	Fortune Finds	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465860802_1251884852668931_7561257971589298186_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wjVbN2yJBIMQ7kNvgFB39yn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAWrFxUIZT7VMNwgpw6rj0iyh_jhYgjzhW7wbjl2rGIlw&oe=67395BB6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎉BIG NEWS! 🎉 You're 1 of just 3,000 winners in our giveaway! 🤩 Claim your FREE TenPoint Nitro 505 now and start dominating the hunt! Click to get yours before they're gone!		Fortune Finds		271	https://www.facebook.com/61567389129833/	0		GET_OFFER_VIEW								View Edit Delete
2437430	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/4/24, 9:02 AM	1731438338	1733324545		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435989036_1086967465924185_6404595012688713563_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9jttDIbCRHIQ7kNvgGLWM30&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYCPqVpl4XX_Eq-46LLsx1IPzCYTXE1YG4Vq3TCaiVvjbA&oe=6739722C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437425	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/5/24, 1:08 PM	1731438335	1733425731		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435457060_1210766433226708_1880908999393713707_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KdVWP4cBdYMQ7kNvgF7fNWq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYAnSedVbhmDx5mWXPYAduviFNPzzO8RiBiuqW4YhYrDQQ&oe=673964C9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436273	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/9/24, 7:47 AM	1731437852	1733752035		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436277	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/9/24, 4:38 AM	1731437853	1733740728		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436279	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/9/24, 6:34 AM	1731437855	1733747653		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436283	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/5/24, 6:34 AM	1731437856	1733402057		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437439	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 6:36 AM	1731438340	1733747812		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434777161_776175164520563_6945987529361106588_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TnJmE26nLfEQ7kNvgGFIutB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYAR_w0cwgEcvyJDpGzV3rr26GGJX8ElNNyZIwirlkfhgQ&oe=67395AFB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436287	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 2:53 PM	1731437859	1733345612		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436313	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437868	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436306	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/29/24, 2:52 AM	1731437866	1732870363		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436319	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 5:07 PM	1731437871	1733180879		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437441	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 9:12 PM	1731438341	1733281946		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435460454_228002963697666_8005756814523861345_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fcbGHt6cVHMQ7kNvgGUIGos&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYA06kkMFe3poEMMgICvuMX7aPKbz24DpJVcQDgW91UTkg&oe=67396025	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436316	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 6:58 AM	1731437869	1733317106		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436366	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437889	1732022968		1782																										primedealpicks.online	Apply now			VIDEO	Claim Your Prize for $8.97	Apply Now	https://primedealpicks.online/us-tp-giveaway-1105-6/?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&site={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}			4.3358509651273E+14	Golden Giveaway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465594338_463222649580903_4697551115491606859_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5htuHApLNbIQ7kNvgGPhP2S&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYALynlwk2OyxgllbDQGDWCrbiRlufnWDaDOE4GjcZZv3g&oe=67396D49	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎉BIG WINNER ALERT! 🎉 You've scored a FREE TenPoint Nitro 505 in our summer giveaway! Claim your prize now for just $8.97 and get ready to take aim like a pro! 👉 Click the link to redeem yours today!		Golden Giveaway		417	https://www.facebook.com/61567827387401/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436371	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437893	1732022968		1782																										lifeword.org	Learn more			VIDEO	Get To Know Your Bow		https://lifeword.org/			98081062483	Lifeword	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465536153_989196696307594_1300659426834962762_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6hMvSOCxyHsQ7kNvgGzM0qB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDVEKHJmZ25gd1mD8J3F1VpYsdB7sWDDmBtQUB9vk1sQA&oe=67395FCB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Get To Know Your Bow Outdoors with Shaun Merrell #outdoorswithshaunmerrell Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!		Lifeword		1846256	https://www.facebook.com/lifeword/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436354	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 7:39 AM	1731437884	1733319581		1782																										primedealpicks.online	Apply now			VIDEO	Get Your $8.97 Deal!	Apply Now	https://primedealpicks.online/us-tp-giveaway-1106-2/?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&site={{site_source_name}}&placement={{placement}}			4.3358509651273E+14	Golden Giveaway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465782761_576492684835078_7644386292042167464_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eOMlK83WMZ4Q7kNvgFCr-My&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYB_CiRdKUBP9wRjbhmtewMdRx6rP4GkeFQAhzYYCn19bw&oe=67398FC2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎉 YOU'RE A WINNER! 🥳 You're one of only 3,000 lucky individuals to snag a 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝟓𝟎𝟓 for just $8.97 in our epic giveaway! 😱 Celebrate your success and get ready to take aim with this incredible deal! 👍		Golden Giveaway		417	https://www.facebook.com/61567827387401/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436343	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/5/24, 2:56 AM	1731437879	1733388998		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436331	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/5/24, 4:43 AM	1731437875	1733395419		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436347	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 9:46 AM	1731437881	1733413561		1782																										italystored.com	Get offer			VIDEO	Tap the "Get Offer" button to seize your offer immediately. 👇		https://italystored.com/trending/nugntrav/?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=672a850788656b0012b97099			4.7553588230226E+14	Inspiration Station	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465888297_1244825859970951_7794120692729136986_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=btTG2w6TPuQQ7kNvgFOpc-f&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDCw15O0gBbd7Bd6I7EI3T33FSBuGXf2-_k4jw269c9rA&oe=673990A3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're reading this, 😱 Celebrate your success! You're among the fortunate 3,000 individuals who have secured a Ravin R29 Crossbow for just $10 in our giveaway, 🥳		Inspiration Station		7464	https://www.facebook.com/61566595236701/	0		GET_OFFER_VIEW								View Edit Delete
2436381	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437897	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437443	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438342	1732022968		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434556834_303239556118622_5498646322134783509_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3wBjE7WZ1NMQ7kNvgFRQ9Oq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBiSsbKJuAZdwz6vKTpJZN0XFmhdPtsYXJue0FB12UvuA&oe=67398D72	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436378	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 3:40 PM	1731437896	1733348410		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436388	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 5:04 PM	1731437902	1733353442		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436403	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437909	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436407	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437909	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436415	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437912	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436417	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437914	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436427	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437918	1732022968		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436460	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437930	1732022968		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436470	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 9:03 AM	1731437935	1733324592		1782																										moutew.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://moutew.com/products/womens-multi-pocket-crossbody-bag-with-zipper			1.3360113649521E+14	Moutew home	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465371957_3828363207380117_3933365140301021387_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oziwwSJQjW8Q7kNvgEAtg7M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAjXVVxq0VF4LpP_weWbmLmuw4KJfg6eywuEpYIChojHw&oe=67398400	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Multi-layer, large-capacity, wear-resistant messenger bag, whether for daily commuting or weekend trips, easily fits all your necessities. 💼✨ ✔️ Multi-layer design ✔️ Large capacity ✔️ Wear-resistant material Get it now to make your travel easier and more stylish! 👜💪 #Messenger bag #Fashion essentials #Travel goodies		Moutew home		571	https://www.facebook.com/61550771559893/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436449	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 11:36 AM	1731437925	1733333813		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436478	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437939	1732022969		1782																										pnumaoutdoors.com	Shop Now			DCO	Pnuma Highpoint Series	Crafted with Berber Fleece and PrimaLoft Silver Insulation, this is our warmest jacket yet. Designed for stealth and comfort, High Loft Berber Fleece provides superior warmth and silence, while microfleece sleeves maintain dexterity and maneuverability.	https://pnumaoutdoors.com/products/pnuma-highpoint-jacket			1.3245122442319E+15	Pnuma Official	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465059389_1092548069142797_9200126120820130936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VNsmkHbviAQQ7kNvgFtxsJu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC88dltsWkfUDLcHxmIqcgWpgSDOMbdc1UyxtQtz_N99g&oe=67397370	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defy frigid conditions with unparalleled warmth and stealth. Our Highpoint Collection is engineered to keep you silent and warm, even in the harshest cold-weather conditions.		Pnuma Official		23243	https://www.facebook.com/PnumaOfficial/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437449	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438345	1732022969		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433947232_783689993825900_4359386558660951353_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nKL-18JMCZgQ7kNvgFsyNmI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYAJZBs89wzRo57FXuf98Ivt3xsGJUfapT13daenQ-b6ag&oe=67396C94	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436495	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437945	1732022969		1782																										eagledigi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	💖Create Your Own Steampunk-Powered Crossbow		https://eagledigi.com/products/metal-assembly-archimedes-steampunk-crossbow			3.0756647576815E+14	EagledigiI	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464972771_451081110894864_5066481817228222394_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iC7lpZ8PUbYQ7kNvgGwPuTT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCW8jwooItdpr1MR5BROgOAgNuAwTvwByZDn830Kla6Bw&oe=67397A54	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		⚙️ Assemble your own steampunk-powered crossbow for a fun DIY project. 🌟 Steam-punk design with glowing barrel and heat dissipators. 🎯 Functional and interactive—shoots small rubber bands! 🛒Click to buy now: https://shorturl.at/Vd4iW		EagledigiI		45	https://www.facebook.com/61558568055282/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436497	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 4:09 PM	1731437946	1733177354		1782																										dewbu.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Free Shipping All Orders🔥	3-Years warranty,Free exchanges + Returns	https://dewbu.com/collections/early-black-friday			1.0852550474695E+14	dewbu.heated.apparel	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464800263_489951793504040_1657835486788107392_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KA023Mfb29kQ7kNvgG55uDt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYB5a6MOEsjRqLtF52j3dKI0p8RGbB-8_1rjbFnfWurHMA&oe=67398D62	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🔥🔥Black friday sale! Get 30% off on your heated jacket now! ✅stylish foldable hat ✅3 levels of heat, top up to 140°F ✅12V Battery/Intelligent Led Display ✅Multiple Power Supply Methods		dewbu.heated.apparel		2578	https://www.facebook.com/dewbuHeatedapparel/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436511	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 5:30 AM	1731437951	1733484601		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fzcq.wzcqand			1.037540094099E+14	Marfa Dungeon	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464872612_1576789813272334_7174224273744532005_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k9cCHAxRqhwQ7kNvgFpXeGk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYABZvQwRIY7HhcSyEXQDOvyyVbFgZ7iquIGoXcPP4Q5eQ&oe=67397CB5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Only the strongest warriors can reach Lv.30! Try now!		Marfa Dungeon		105	https://www.facebook.com/100093061515828/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436546	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437965	1732022969		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	BACK IN STOCK | Immersive Virtual Bow Hunting	Free Shipping	https://accubow.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&fbadid=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			1.0561733744456E+15	AccuBow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464362715_1080314099751315_2626989618704176141_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7p19-eJlYVkQ7kNvgEw63OP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAsGDWGVE6m6jTj2d_7ndUFvuPjwIlIvjPtUfUFRx63Rw&oe=67397A60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ever heard of Virtual Archery? Meet the AccuBow! 🏹 The world's first ever Virtual Bowhunting game. With over 25+ game modes to choose from, you can engage in realistic simulation and fun practice from the comfort of your living room. Just download the app, attach your phone, and start hunting. See for yourself why the AccuBow is a “must have” for archers and bowhunters of all ages!		AccuBow		24568	https://www.facebook.com/accubow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436535	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 11:40 AM	1731437960	1733161250		1782																											Send Message			CAROUSEL	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD					2.8157480522825E+14	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464623278_579497494739520_5773825510366516213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PaW78SwuL9wQ7kNvgGNV1Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBApPxNuixG_tRD_5TbErYuD8D42IfVnO1SXG-byAl1mA&oe=67395E88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD		22676	https://www.facebook.com/brushyforkoutfitters/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436558	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 8:43 PM	1731437969	1733452997		1782																										do.r2games.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Free RPG game. Play NOW	Dark Odyssey, an epic online rpg game that contains AUTOMATIC UPGRADING, endless CHALLENGES, massive BOSS FIGHTS, orc INVASIONS, and CHARACTER CUSTOMIZATION. Get ready to embark on a dark and thrilling journey, increase your power, team up with other players and save the world!	https://www.r2games.com/link.php?id=1010828			2.2960943304673E+15	R2Games	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464298200_3772012046347558_2187902570433372837_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gYhdcDvtCHEQ7kNvgFgSkX-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDNxvNq5erL_dYtboBu5JxMyQeylo0JQMGNDvO7H_qulA&oe=67395FEB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Welcome to the world of Dark Odyssey! ⚔⚔ The world is full of danger, don't go alone 💥💥		R2Games		9928	https://www.facebook.com/R2GamesNew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436568	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 7:11 PM	1731437973	1733188278		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	BACK IN STOCK | Immersive Virtual Bow Hunting	Free Shipping	https://accubow.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&fbadid=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			1.0561733744456E+15	AccuBow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463971177_1107159707543118_1945632528407096242_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5o9yOC-iQmgQ7kNvgGzCoTC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCkKxzFzO7n2fgXbbb6p-GHrkX1D-Ut8MQBA5Gijlv7aw&oe=67398C75	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ever heard of Virtual Archery? Meet the AccuBow! 🏹 The world's first ever Virtual Bowhunting game. With over 25+ game modes to choose from, you can engage in realistic simulation and fun practice from the comfort of your living room. Just download the app, attach your phone, and start hunting. See for yourself why the AccuBow is a “must have” for archers and bowhunters of all ages!		AccuBow		24568	https://www.facebook.com/accubow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436588	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 2:17 AM	1731437982	1733300223		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An assassin's last hope is to become a dragonrider...	Fans of Eragon and House of the Dragon will love this epic fantasy adventure	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463462053_527968063275374_4354651224018780225_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mL0dkucm0OAQ7kNvgE5xkAy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYB95ktPMLUI-rUatIk1N58xTh_PIcwstaL9IqxGcH6YNw&oe=673964C0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436603	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 9:45 PM	1731437986	1733370357		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463022317_8471293876250048_7582923471004569257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsDhiSeitcgQ7kNvgFEQJnT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDtPa3RBKaA8SYHYi4-jFfCDipcrdIX8X0XlBDrXxHeCg&oe=67397B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436574	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 1:44 AM	1731437976	1733471052		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install now			IMAGE	Warriors and Adventure		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id6459700431			1.2548237730416E+14	Warriors and Adventure	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464085293_1308363143873803_7332100133735744159_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QfQR_YVYgSEQ7kNvgEYooBe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYASKzer3Z0QuWzk_w8oR1s-6GstDXQsc0xmE3_qLPl5VQ&oe=67397748	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A wondrous adventure awaits there		Warriors and Adventure		1501	https://www.facebook.com/61550117414086/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436630	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731437997	1732022969		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An epic war between dragonriders and gods...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462591471_419490957549307_4814576019735375240_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=962TKyLbYjwQ7kNvgF-fEQo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYBp9Mw9bBNerprTERD5Sfb6QXoz9-HWGBxN3YRVDzwrkw&oe=67399057	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The battle boomed around us in a dark, deadly symphony. I took to my dragon’s saddle with my blade still gripped in one hand. Working my feet down into the deep leather pockets on either side of Blite’s strong neck, I slipped my sword back into its sheath and reached for the saddle handles. I just prayed we weren’t too late. My commander, Jaevid, and his dragon still flew in the lead. His massive blue drake, a temperamental monster he’d named Mavrik, gave a rallying cry like a roll of thunder. It made my dragon’s hide shiver. My heart beat like a war hammer in my chest as we veered in perfect formation over the sea of dark armor and war machines still churning below. Lines of dragonfire still burned high, but even as hard as we had fought so far, it didn’t look like we had made much of a dent in our enemy’s ranks. Curse it. No time to let up now. I spotted more allies, dragonriders flying in groups of three, approaching. Heh. Well, that made two formations. Good odds for any dragonrider. And we had trained nonstop for years for this very moment. “We are going to carve a path for the airship to descend and pick up our allies in the courtyard,” Jaevid communicated back, using the dragonrider code of hand signals. “Primary targets are ground war machines. Make it hurt.” I signaled my agreement. Squeezing my legs tighter to Blite’s side, I twisted the saddle handles to send him signals, steering in perfect synchronization with Jaevid’s dragon, Mavrik, to begin our assault run. The commander must have had some sort of exchange about this already with the other riders because they immediately led their two wingends on a similar pass coming in the opposite direction so we would cross midway over the battlefield. Excellent. Blite snapped his wings in tight as we dove down, falling like a flock of speeding falcons, and zoomed over the advancing line of enemy war machines. Catapults burned. Trebuchets toppled as their ropes and cables snapped. Soldiers ran like scared cockroaches. War beasts bucked and tried to flee, their saddles and armor already ablaze. Only a few enemy soldiers even dared fire at us, using everything they had. Arrows and crossbow bolts zipped past, a few even pinging off Blite’s armored chest. Fortunately, none seemed to pierce his scaly hide, and he slicked his little ears back and hissed in defiance as we broke skyward again. Suddenly, Mavrik let out a roar of alarm as a huge net made of thick metal cables whipped through the air, heading straight for us. He shot upward with one beat of his mighty wings. Blite saw it, too ... A second too late. Oh gods, it was going to hit us! I cringed, bracing for impact. With a defiant roar, a huge blue-scaled blur flashed between the incoming net and us, so fast I had no time to react. Mavrik screeched in rage as the net wrapped around one of his wings and hind legs, tangling immediately with weighed ends spinning and wrapping around him. Wh-What? He’d intentionally taken that hit? For me?! The king drake fell, roaring and still beating his one free wing, as he plummeted from the sky straight down toward the roiling mass of enemy soldiers below. He would hit hard. He’d land right in the middle of a block of enemy soldiers. NO! Slamming my hands against the saddle handles, I yelled a curse and ordered Blite to dive after him. I had to do something—I had to save my commander. Even if it meant paying the ultimate price … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436634	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 4:30 AM	1731437999	1733308215		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An epic war between dragonriders and gods...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462486863_1010026124206849_1365732183298907587_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3zrgbURiRLUQ7kNvgFgPmzA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYBOL3RkoV2KbFGqcRBWQzBIAe5b1iAAMq2G43ldHsNRXA&oe=673983F3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436623	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 12:03 PM	1731437995	1733400183		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Handcrafted in Telluride: The Olive Collection		https://shopcrossbow.com/collections/the-olive-collection			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Telluride	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462606487_8496854280367865_2232583142546778474_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DLFtQg6YbR0Q7kNvgG475h4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDxCHEhyrDeWRThm2-e9LTyAoFeJP-0ncvyS-IywuPCIw&oe=673979D8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handcrafted by craftswomen in Telluride, Colorado, The Olive Collection is here! This limited launch features genuine leather designs that bring both elegance and durability to your style. Elevate your wardrobe with these beautifully made pieces before they’re gone!		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436689	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438028	1732022969		1782																										appraisalm.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://appraisalm.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.1520123815761E+14	Appraisalm	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459823196_1434259940581428_8022217922465815921_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k0qn1LbYMiYQ7kNvgGcUG3d&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAZ5YHcqgHOF6u0DZFyFjrMfwQwlPu1MXxdPnmEoXs0nw&oe=67395C8F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Appraisalm		208	https://www.facebook.com/100090392443780/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436674	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/28/24, 1:33 AM	1731438022	1732779207		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461228208_1980868089020654_8321517676166125254_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi108_8kfTgQ7kNvgGXbRJk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYAHVbpTsvlTnlU6Ci4AQjjNR6SyvBAjRAschpNi6esMtg&oe=6739874A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436684	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 2:20 AM	1731438025	1733386812		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-5			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460718523_1039079674537690_4458612665144513251_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=beODLyW5_kYQ7kNvgGYNqjs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDkqIN4TvLVVJ4gXa1rmC_9tkdplJJjBI0HOMiMBQvcgQ&oe=67397222	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437461	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438350	1732022969		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436725	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 11:21 PM	1731438042	1733376066		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436715	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 1:22 AM	1731438038	1733383330		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436730	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438045	1732022969		1782																										expturelmp.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://expturelmp.com/products/sunglasses-4			2.7359981584103E+14	Expturelmp/i	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459300469_1500850463894381_456144479076146663_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_lK97CWDB4MQ7kNvgGiANkm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYCSzF3N0pybI2gIC-Ntm25Sr6boQHwUjUPykDZ3IQFbZw&oe=673979BF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Expturelmp/i		343	https://www.facebook.com/61558689683248/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436731	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 8:08 PM	1731438046	1733278137		1782																										appraisalm.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://appraisalm.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.1520123815761E+14	Appraisalm	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459304873_1502677257075255_3555719082768434673_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UKQBlohlRYoQ7kNvgE7cjxs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAALY-fw1LucqR9Z1sAYbsLtRPDFJa4tIoqT9CnmBXNHw&oe=67399209	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Appraisalm		208	https://www.facebook.com/100090392443780/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436728	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 10:06 PM	1731438044	1733285174		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436739	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 4:46 AM	1731438048	1733309187		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459123164_1523588178363670_7171513926145779458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ffpos_ZAEOwQ7kNvgHHqdI1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYBh00GTkwDk_S3bhMs27OG1UO96HWNY9fAPk_rbRybO2Q&oe=67395D71	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436767	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438061	1732022969		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458256859_525891013135766_6013064285149370775_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h9_32zdXAC0Q7kNvgHpPoYG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYB7dI-2QmkXxhcnhSg31ezLANXKjUb8Ko8UKKr5DtOdRA&oe=67398271	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436748	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 2:13 AM	1731438052	1733213611		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458604598_487341580935051_7258431635096282840_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lJ8KtADP77wQ7kNvgHR45_D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDO0oK5JXNaFR0Y2PFrTCr8vpexq_wBTd9EMA0UUsd6bw&oe=67397DE8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436751	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 10:57 PM	1731438053	1733288223		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458797044_482340404568556_5346137716162516962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GFmSaT_xHVwQ7kNvgHeFWl-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYB3Vx7YlbT5N8G4QdpPjDpzRj-YQIzdlsi9WJa-6RouGw&oe=67395B8E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436761	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 9:03 AM	1731438060	1733324583		1782																										marginatl.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://marginatl.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			2.6586142660226E+14	Marginatl	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458488815_1185585832721947_6159391717090085341_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i4_pOVgsQQEQ7kNvgGV70NN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYCGtZ3TDV_JA9nNG36P8ku0g5_70djaF06NkRYLlJB14Q&oe=67395C97	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Marginatl		200	https://www.facebook.com/61556551694523/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436799	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/30/24, 10:08 PM	1731438071	1733026104		1782																											Get Directions			CAROUSEL	Visit us Today		fbgeo://32.38946,-81.7502,"16648 GA-67, Statesboro, GA, United States"			1.7623460635826E+14	Bowtreader	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457273457_8478682268823295_5029638882611678232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTsg9RSzZ3MQ7kNvgGtT66n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBRzo6teMqF5bxwDYYeIenW_RdFs1MyLlSv2yQN7kegbg&oe=673965DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Bowtreader		5499	https://www.facebook.com/bowtreader/	0		GET_DIRECTIONS								View Edit Delete
2437464	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 4:35 PM	1731438350	1733265325		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436806	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/3/24, 10:58 PM	1731438073	1733288291		1782																										Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo delle Armi Antiche	INTERESTED			EVENT	Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo delle Armi Antiche	Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo delle Armi Antiche | Echoes and Legends: A Year at the Museum of Ancient Arms Preparati a un viaggio indietro nel tempo con "Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo"! 🎉 Get ready for a journey back in time with "Echoes and Legends: A Year at the Museum"! 🎉 Il 3 settembre, la suggestiva Seconda Torre di San Marino si anima con rievocazioni storiche, esibizioni di balestrieri, cavalieri e guardie medievali, per celebrare un anno dalla riapertura del Museo delle Armi Antiche. On September 3rd, the evocative Second Tower of San Marino comes alive with historical reenactments, crossbowmen demonstrations, knights, and medieval guards, celebrating one year since the Museum of Ancient Arms reopening. 🕒 Programma della Giornata / Daily Schedule: 11:00: Incontro con la Federazione Balestrieri Sammarinesi per scoprire i segreti di questa antica arte e il ruolo dei balestrieri nella storia di San Marino. 11:00 AM: Meet the Sammarinese Crossbowmen Federation to discover the secrets of this ancient art and the role of crossbowmen in the history of San Marino. Pomeriggio / Afternoon: Rievocazioni medievali con i gruppi storici della Corte di Olnano e della Compagnia dell'Istrice che animeranno la Torre con scene di vita medievale e spettacoli storici. Medieval reenactments with the historical groups of Corte di Olnano and Compagnia dell'Istrice, who will bring the Tower to life with scenes of medieval life and historical performances. 🎟️ Apertura straordinaria del Museo della Balestra (Contrada Omerelli 51) dalle 09:30 alle 13:00 con guide disponibili in italiano, inglese e tedesco. Un'occasione unica per scoprire la storia delle armi da lancio e delle tecniche di difesa. Special opening of the Crossbow Museum (Contrada Omerelli 51) from 09:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with guided tours available in Italian, English, and German. A unique opportunity to explore the history of throwing weapons and defense techniques. 👥 Partecipa con Noi! / Join Us! Condividi l'evento, invita i tuoi amici e vivi una giornata all'insegna della storia, della cultura e delle tradizioni di San Marino. Share the event, invite your friends, and experience a day of history, culture, and traditions in San Marino. Non perdere l'opportunità di fare un salto nel passato e di vivere la storia in prima persona! Don't miss the chance to step back in time and experience history firsthand!	https://www.facebook.com/events/523278676908905/			1.0496445597711E+14	Museo delle Armi Antiche Repubblica di San Marino	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457252104_1561321407835859_1466931952391145388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Rzp87SOfZbkQ7kNvgENs1MU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYCiw9-5tUVIy2hDingpWtgEakfnLAI4F1OZeVlzOPJfkg&oe=6739803E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo delle Armi Antiche | Echoes and Legends: A Year at the Museum of Ancient Arms Preparati a un viaggio indietro nel tempo con "Echi e Leggende: Un Anno al Museo"! 🎉 Get ready for a journey back in time with "Echoes and Legends: A Year at the Museum"! 🎉 Il 3 settembre, la suggestiva Seconda Torre di San Marino si anima con rievocazioni storiche, esibizioni di balestrieri, cavalieri e guardie medievali, per celebrare un anno dalla riapertura del Museo delle Armi Antiche. On September 3rd, the evocative Second Tower of San Marino comes alive with historical reenactments, crossbowmen demonstrations, knights, and medieval guards, celebrating one year since the Museum of Ancient Arms reopening. 🕒 Programma della Giornata / Daily Schedule: 11:00: Incontro con la Federazione Balestrieri Sammarinesi per scoprire i segreti di questa antica arte e il ruolo dei balestrieri nella storia di San Marino. 11:00 AM: Meet the Sammarinese Crossbowmen Federation to discover the secrets of this ancient art and the role of crossbowmen in the history of San Marino. Pomeriggio / Afternoon: Rievocazioni medievali con i gruppi storici della Corte di Olnano e della Compagnia dell'Istrice che animeranno la Torre con scene di vita medievale e spettacoli storici. Medieval reenactments with the historical groups of Corte di Olnano and Compagnia dell'Istrice, who will bring the Tower to life with scenes of medieval life and historical performances. 🎟️ Apertura straordinaria del Museo della Balestra (Contrada Omerelli 51) dalle 09:30 alle 13:00 con guide disponibili in italiano, inglese e tedesco. Un'occasione unica per scoprire la storia delle armi da lancio e delle tecniche di difesa. Special opening of the Crossbow Museum (Contrada Omerelli 51) from 09:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with guided tours available in Italian, English, and German. A unique opportunity to explore the history of throwing weapons and defense techniques. 👥 Partecipa con Noi! / Join Us! Condividi l'evento, invita i tuoi amici e vivi una giornata all'insegna della storia, della cultura e delle tradizioni di San Marino. Share the event, invite your friends, and experience a day of history, culture, and traditions in San Marino. Non perdere l'opportunità di fare un salto nel passato e di vivere la storia in prima persona! Don't miss the chance to step back in time and experience history firsthand!		Museo delle Armi Antiche Repubblica di San Marino		1957	https://www.facebook.com/100093842319942/	0		EVENT_RSVP								View Edit Delete
2436769	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/3/24, 11:17 PM	1731438062	1733289455		1782																										www.tidewe.com	Shop now			VIDEO	See Through Hunting Blind	30-Day Money Back Guarantee	https://www.tidewe.com/products/vis-360-silent-4-full-panels-see-through-hunting-blind-with-carrying-bag			1.5139591719747E+15	TideWe	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458192325_1588078395451508_8928763525430234610_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tzDChkoDHZ8Q7kNvgGhhphX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYBcQNf5yVLZt8anqWXEjD_68LDfw48k9SiJUgMaJNrTfQ&oe=673963FF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌳 Blend in, see everything! Up to 50% OFF Vis360 Blind. 360° see-through design, blackout panel option. Silent entry, 10 windows. Your new hunting HQ awaits! Shop now! 🏹 #InvisibleHunter		TideWe		72821	https://www.facebook.com/tideweoutdoors/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436820	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438081	1732022969		1782																										jangebot.com	Order Now			DCO	Jangebot™ Smart Bluetooth Audio Glasses	Super SALE-60%OFF!!✨	https://www.jangebot.com/products/jangebot%E2%84%A2-smart-bluetooth-audio-glasses			1.1463944150917E+14	SuperJangebot	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456280326_1645423929646046_893105557484204534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt25yEs05AQ7kNvgGH3nIS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0CHuaj1974IHx7Xgb0P5gbX1bLkuugodtP650VPth8g&oe=67397EB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"The glasses have a pretty sleek design I noticed that they are durable at the front the polarized lenses look great the sound quality is pretty good allowing you to stay sware of your surroundings it's a great feature for outdoor activities also you can awser calls without having to grab your phone. The battery life isn't bad for this product it can last you a good few hours the controls are pretty great they are simple and convenient overall I'd say this product is great for the price."--B E. Hurry up and get for you or a gift for your family or friends here👉https://shorturl.at/Eu9jv		SuperJangebot		10	https://www.facebook.com/100089362984665/	0		ORDER_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436811	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/3/24, 11:36 PM	1731438076	1733290561		1782																										etrendoo.com	Shop now			VIDEO	4.8/9⭐ - "Love driving with these, super easy to use!"		https://etrendoo.com/products/5-0-smart-glasses-with-headphones			3.6108825709077E+14	Etrendoo	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457444670_1020000609776374_8982077007548384889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6iGSKJc7acgQ7kNvgG7boEW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDLT67Q7NaQOcgKxjuWnsfQoMczISbPy8Az08FQ15DENQ&oe=67396B62	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Tired of juggling your phone and music? 😫🎶 Meet AudioVision – the ultimate smart glasses! 😎✨ 🎧 Hi-res audio for crystal-clear sound. 📱 Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless connectivity. 🖐️ Touchpad control - navigate with ease. 🔋 Long-lasting battery for all-day use. Elevate your audio game and stay stylish on the go! 🚀 Tap to upgrade your experience!		Etrendoo		368	https://www.facebook.com/etrendoo/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436824	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/10/24, 8:13 AM	1731438082	1733839980		1782																										jangebot.com	Order Now			DCO	Jangebot™ Smart Bluetooth Audio Glasses	Super SALE-60%OFF!!✨	https://www.jangebot.com/products/jangebot%E2%84%A2-smart-bluetooth-audio-glasses			1.1463944150917E+14	SuperJangebot	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456280326_1645423929646046_893105557484204534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt25yEs05AQ7kNvgGH3nIS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0CHuaj1974IHx7Xgb0P5gbX1bLkuugodtP650VPth8g&oe=67397EB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"The glasses have a pretty sleek design I noticed that they are durable at the front the polarized lenses look great the sound quality is pretty good allowing you to stay sware of your surroundings it's a great feature for outdoor activities also you can awser calls without having to grab your phone. The battery life isn't bad for this product it can last you a good few hours the controls are pretty great they are simple and convenient overall I'd say this product is great for the price."--B E. Hurry up and get for you or a gift for your family or friends here👉https://shorturl.at/Eu9jv		SuperJangebot		10	https://www.facebook.com/100089362984665/	0		ORDER_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437482	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438358	1732022969		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437491	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 9:07 PM	1731438360	1733281645		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436849	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 2:00 PM	1731438094	1732024800		1782																										www.quotatioy.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.quotatioy.com/products/smart-wireless-headphone-sunglasses?variant=42284			1.0812467214439E+14	Quotatioy	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455089264_1692253024904324_4238291712931245169_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6KQ52Ln3iloQ7kNvgECrsut&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYCbcrXnyJQ8lkVgC45WCUbWMDonHGK3a8ONUBW6n3J2ZQ&oe=67396D63	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new smart wireless earphone sunglasses! 🌟 These glasses allow you to connect to the phone and have a conversation with them, which is really fun, and they are also very beautiful and trendy. I wear them for everything I do now, and I'm so happy! 🥰		Quotatioy		336	https://www.facebook.com/100088268723165/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436839	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/5/24, 12:18 AM	1731438090	1733379510		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			IMAGE	Don’t hesitate, join NOW👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itogame.eragp			1.1668789487202E+14	Game crush	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455895733_859883635749796_594387449382436748_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aLZYxk4dcQcQ7kNvgE15wql&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYBOVjXwaUQ2y5qWAIdq8RVC6Ez-_5P-KymuKkdxXf8qsA&oe=67395A9B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		#FreeVIP #FiercePVP #GlobalServer This game is a must-play game and you can’t afford to miss this year! 💎Download and claim 100 million diamonds as a free gift!💎 🔻 🔻 🔻 🔻 🔻		Game crush		10	https://www.facebook.com/61552852756685/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437489	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/5/24, 7:43 AM	1731438360	1733406211		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436837	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/6/24, 1:32 PM	1731438089	1733513528		1782																										www.potentiail.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.potentiail.com/products/sunglasses			2.5294330790238E+14	Potentiail	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455848469_1065187375274308_5488086769991143035_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0P38hUmYi2EQ7kNvgECvPzD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYA30J6VwGKGxKsullYn8ZWpPL2rvDSVP9aYkXnsgMrFMA&oe=67397B95	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨ Shop Now:https://www.potentiail.com/products/sunglasses		Potentiail		49	https://www.facebook.com/61556932234777/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436875	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 3:19 PM	1731438106	1733347174		1782																										www.exhibitionk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🎶⚡Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.exhibitionk.com/products/ssiu			1.1574555144115E+14	Exhibitionk.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454242283_785428500154071_2880387991332197729_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sYKsv4S82VYQ7kNvgF4nSRt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYBz4qTaKZFXSu5MC84huqhPRxKtFRt_TGBKVGvty_fisg&oe=67396B1A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎🎶🔊The smart glasses have built-in Mic and speakers. You can go hands-free when taking calls thanks to a discreet omnidirectional mic built into its frame or enjoy your music.		Exhibitionk.com		2894	https://www.facebook.com/100090650167517/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437500	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/5/24, 3:27 PM	1731438365	1733434021		1782																										youtube.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://youtube.com/watch?v=JDYv8Hverbo&si=wn-ww2TNgYJQMe2y			2.5687322417194E+14	sl_crossbros	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/429977291_962235642000042_7148833336457099679_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_aid=0&_nc_ohc=BCJhL87G96oQ7kNvgEQxt7S&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYBw-uW23oBUhSjAWw0G-XNxrCjZ7WR3Wt_RnUH_m-CykQ&oe=6739904A	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE #crossbows #crossbow #archery #crossbow #bow #hunting #outdoors #crossbowlife #crossbowking #crossbowman #crossbowhunter #crossbowshooting #bow #bowhunter #archerylife #archeryhunting #crossbowcustoms #survivalist #ekarchery #archeryaddict #beararchery		sl_crossbros		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/sl_crossbros	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436861	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 2:02 PM	1731438100	1732024920		1782																										anrdre.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://anrdre.com/products/smartsunglasses			2.8735142778748E+14	Anrdre US	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454665684_533212459224878_5107747633797231717_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CqHGmaDwGfwQ7kNvgGNbwd0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYDzOrLHL0poNm5VwHM7Jg2oM7nNhTP8L1xuSjqMuGyvmQ&oe=6739613F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎🎧 Experience the ultimate blend of style and technology with new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸 🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life 🛒👉https://anrdre.com/products/smartsunglasses		Anrdre US		113	https://www.facebook.com/61557341591888/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436871	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 2:03 PM	1731438104	1732024980		1782																										www.regardingt.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Smart Wireless bluetooth glasses!		https://www.regardingt.com/products/ssiu			1.060135723697E+14	Regardingt	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454311034_1954414068348890_5860953058296908918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_IPquECDFO4Q7kNvgGKM-Wf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYCAAcud_TqDt5mAz9W166yJTlQPmxcXMZIQsbdX8MMmbQ&oe=67397328	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. https://www.regardingt.com/products/ssiu		Regardingt		379	https://www.facebook.com/100088819004268/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436916	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 10:19 AM	1731438123	1733329190		1782																										www.budlereony.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥49% off🔥 -Smart Wireless Headphone Glasses		https://www.budlereony.com/products/sunglasses			1.0158410602098E+14	Budlereony	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453319267_775282651188077_538235592297370503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=aBtf2GOarKAQ7kNvgGACRNk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYBiKRteu4-tBPVEburPe8l68GJk02lP_MY8WTNBUyN8hQ&oe=6739910E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. Buy here：https://t.site/3WIRKbq		Budlereony		2245	https://www.facebook.com/100084743903507/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436912	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 2:08 PM	1731438122	1732025280		1782																										www.attendantu.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.attendantu.com/products/sunglasses			3.1833268802954E+14	Attendantu-USA	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453489406_1642399769634956_4524383840305063866_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IAaTNYHhDVsQ7kNvgGvMdZo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYDPfNqOBcPPhG5W6wNVPs42HSYF1DrzI2ck4XcDlZf4gw&oe=6739793D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Attendantu-USA		1351	https://www.facebook.com/61559422540855/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436919	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438124	1732022969		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						1.0968931556752E+14	Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453221171_1031890988379877_69401701340320823_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KT6ApdfGbqAQ7kNvgEh2kdm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYCbKQhw6U0RQNCLfDNyDcuYO1nQOCVKkj7jx_agqJpjzg&oe=6739612F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Standing Terracotta Archer It was unearthed in the northeast corner of Pit No. 2 of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, located in the square formation of crossbow soldiers. The Standing Terracotta Archer is a vivid and dynamic work of realism, a rare and outstanding work in the history of ancient Chinese sculpture. With his head slightly turned sideways, his mouth tensed, the serious attitude and movements echo each other, making him vividly lifelike. #terracottawarrior		Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum		98909	https://www.facebook.com/EmperorQinshihuangMausoleumSiteMuseum/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436928	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 2:01 PM	1731438127	1733342491		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453262050_1291997245111899_8899030901241022130_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tmcohBTa_lAQ7kNvgHyNzYd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYC5Vjy5nKhL4rtIAdYEX4kBCWIMEy-6dSJXKs5Y3ZKPFQ&oe=67396126	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436921	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 5:20 PM	1731438125	1733354438		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						1.0968931556752E+14	Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453253274_1441254896532969_1266601853575475682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7BaQ174S_GUQ7kNvgEwr6Ho&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYCzHRjHZBI25xMxpvTWlrkvkF3X2Qt4VMHay4hLZjN4rQ&oe=67397752	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Terracotta Cavalry There are 116 terracotta cavalrymen found in No.2 Pit of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, with a height of 180cm~190cm. The cavalrymen generally stand in front of the left side of the horse, with one hand pulling the horse's bridle and the other hand in the shape of lifting a crossbow. #terracottawarrior		Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum		98909	https://www.facebook.com/EmperorQinshihuangMausoleumSiteMuseum/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436959	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/29/24, 7:55 AM	1731438140	1732888551		1782																										www.antarctici.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.antarctici.com/products/sunglasses			1.2031391783452E+14	Antarctici.store	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452373445_3195646453899110_8771784013370682232_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ul-OsOCOazIQ7kNvgGkJXFG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYDREJl-hhpJief2A_oR3kKazc1b4Kg5WEpWo_ZGSQw2Bw&oe=67396C28	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Antarctici.store		364	https://www.facebook.com/61550888592644/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436952	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438139	1732022969		1782																										www.snrtrplant.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.snrtrplant.com/products/sunglasses			2.2392544748028E+14	Snrtrplant	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452480877_992887139286163_7302759595771181993_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=I84iqP9nJk0Q7kNvgF5Or7C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYBZw-K5bMn-DjA_buQiXLUWG1WR6LQDHUNYyJCVnTVqOw&oe=67399230	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. 🛒Grab yours>>https://t.site/3SiJsV5		Snrtrplant		1051	https://www.facebook.com/61558151068303/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436939	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/9/24, 10:52 PM	1731438132	1733806355		1782																										www.stellaya.com	Shop now			VIDEO		⏰ Time Sensitive Offer! Use This Code Now to Get Your Discount! ✨	https://www.stellaya.com/products/2024-upgrade-bluetooth-sunglasses			1.0068446241189E+14	Stellaya	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451239290_434038339629936_8035539945691556178_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9GzUC1jBVXUQ7kNvgFNWf7S&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYCutz5ydsbT6EvxZ5uOJ5Tanlc8JRMJLiauOxpRp0B1jA&oe=67396A9C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨ https://tinyurl.com/54ncbyzx		Stellaya		5911	https://www.facebook.com/100076194855901/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436973	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/1/24, 6:31 PM	1731438146	1733099473		1782																										www.generallye.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.generallye.com/products/sunglasses			1.9839826336729E+14	Generallye04	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451424500_846529650256169_5044719874254077281_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ILM0lwNgXsYQ7kNvgEPuavH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYCuO7uWnSukSn8pzDfqqd_cKr-Z3FA9-gKOYGGJwkC7aQ&oe=67396BFE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,you can wear it to listen to music, talk, navigateplay games, watch TV, take online classes, Home office, outdoor mountaineering and other occasions.🥳 Let glasses become your life, work smart little assistant.✨		Generallye04		9332	https://www.facebook.com/61556652465745/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436971	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 2:59 PM	1731438146	1733345946		1782																										www.empiricaly.com	Shop now			VIDEO	49.9%🔥Sale Ending Soon！🚀 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 Reviews		https://www.empiricaly.com/products/sunglasses			2.899941542036E+14	Adapttoup	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452201272_478873831506801_9071303035809115599_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zXUvoQWcZboQ7kNvgGXYBhR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYAgEqBzCL50Bv967g1Or-Rv1G6NXtCS_4B0nerNVSI4Eg&oe=67397B73	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,you can wear it to listen to music, talk, navigateplay games, watch TV, take online classes, Home office, outdoor mountaineering and other occasions.🥳 Let glasses become your life, work smart little assistant.✨		Adapttoup		225	https://www.facebook.com/61559177766426/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436966	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:07 PM	1731438143	1733346465		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			IMAGE			http://instagram.com/sportsmen_target			3.4354671884169E+14	Sportsmen Target	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452309515_840766591331762_8084415028867440057_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=taBypWYIUVgQ7kNvgGTeHQQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYDg17w-87yJt2wSv9hu1KJx8tFS9cVmk1LLGJBJJUMOZA&oe=67397999	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🇺🇸 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰Ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren kompletten Einkauf bei @steambow !!! Wie? Ganz einfach über meinen Link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Es freut mich sehr es euch mitteilen zu dürfen!! Ich arbeite ab jetzt enger mit Steambow zusammen und kann euch einmalig 5% Rabatt auf euren Einkauf geben. Ihr geht über meinen Link, macht den Einkaufswagen voll (auch Sammelbestellung) und ihr bekommt einmalig 5% Rabatt auf den kompletten Einkauf. Wenn ihr mich unterstützen wollt, gebt den Link gerne weiter😎👊🏽 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇦🇨🇦 ⚠️5% Discount⚠️ 💰You get a one-time 5% discount on your entire purchase at @steambow !!! How? Quite simply via my link 🔥🔥🔥🔥 🇪🇺 https://steambow.at/pages/shop?ref=SportsmenTarget 🇺🇸🇨🇦 https://steambow.com/?ref=SportsmenTarget 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Shipping world wide! I am very pleased to be able to tell you! I am now working more closely with Steambow and can give you a one-off 5% discount on your purchase. You go through my link, fill up your shopping cart (also collective order) and you will get a one-time 5% discount on the complete purchase. If you want to support me, please pass on the link #crossbow #crossbowshooting #crossbowlife #sport #archery #steambow #steambowusa #steambowstinger2tactical #fabdefense #focus #steambowstinger #combatsports #combat #combatshoot #crossbowpistol #hunting #fishing🎣 #rabatt #custom #tactical #gun #m4 #vortex #discount #target #focus		Sportsmen Target		106	https://www.facebook.com/61561180437404/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436983	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438151	1732022969		1782																										www.adapttoup.com	Shop now			VIDEO	49.9%🔥Sale Ending Soon！🚀 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 Reviews		https://www.adapttoup.com/products/sunglasses			2.899941542036E+14	Adapttoup	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451668649_856438623061232_838398091404074102_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OgA1cNHIv_oQ7kNvgF3ixit&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYBr1dsotTPHg-rsrUMN1_0-yTDrHurlixhq-QDtVnCqMA&oe=6739795A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,you can wear it to listen to music, talk, navigateplay games, watch TV, take online classes, Home office, outdoor mountaineering and other occasions.🥳 Let glasses become your life, work smart little assistant.✨		Adapttoup		225	https://www.facebook.com/61559177766426/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436986	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438152	1732022969		1782																										www.entitley.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.entitley.com/products/sunglasses			1.1602824142004E+14	Entitley-USA	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451981198_1180809709703921_9197764497866380329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ly4BlgkpmAwQ7kNvgEmXmhz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYAgmqLLkfqNbs5DjFQB-YosxnVgDlf3JZ_ve3Wk0vzAOg&oe=67395F19	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Entitley-USA		224	https://www.facebook.com/100090833495881/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436993	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 7:29 AM	1731438156	1732022969		1782																										www.mutualecip.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.mutualecip.com/products/sunglasses			3.222583242847E+14	Mutualecip	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451132167_3830253760590868_4684487226153808332_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4dLFGX1fuz0Q7kNvgHuMkm9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYC2whpa75ntp66AGvw2nKTNfeobPbmWZKW0D2bkgQaRPA&oe=6739898D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mutualecip		212	https://www.facebook.com/61558736402178/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436987	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/2/24, 1:57 AM	1731438154	1733126237		1782																										www.eneralizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.eneralizek.com/products/sunglasses-2			2.1668147153001E+14	Eneralizek/	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451955009_762810005796069_3690330595625997767_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BQFWM4qQJG0Q7kNvgHz5E5C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYCY3d0uOxoua3FmxAdVKRbDN0JZ0McajTA7UMpTX_MjfQ&oe=673975CE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,you can wear it to listen to music, talk, navigateplay games, watch TV, take online classes, Home office, outdoor mountaineering and other occasions.🥳 Let glasses become your life, work smart little assistant.✨		Eneralizek/		115	https://www.facebook.com/61556243093100/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436995	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 3:52 PM	1731438156	1733349166		1782																										www.awarekadj.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut!		https://www.awarekadj.com/products/sunglasses			3.5826475070195E+14	Awarekadj	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452099622_829812635766338_5106979531417273411_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=c9tjtgGHTm4Q7kNvgHTaY0-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYA8zlGc46lIt6dWmNwWXHBo0FMXk_w4IRNDbq7dLhedKQ&oe=67395D8E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		I love that I can listen to music, talk otp and even still use Siri on my Bluetooth glasses❤️ 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Awarekadj		194	https://www.facebook.com/61561445403006/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436998	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/9/24, 9:41 PM	1731438157	1733802114		1782																										pneuialmatic.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://pneuialmatic.com/products/sunglasses-2			1.027390126987E+14	Pneuialmatic.USA	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450943384_1565325147737867_5714660216959583140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rrrPppQ7mw8Q7kNvgENMbxW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AmIaH3GqnEu4XRpHyzVInUx&oh=00_AYBnVHUJvalnHYR7KTEgIu2jsljrn3CnN7VOHoMAXne_tQ&oe=67397E35	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Pneuialmatic.USA		2064	https://www.facebook.com/100088797641097/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436848	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 1:34 PM	1731438094	1732023244		1782																										www.whichevery.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.whichevery.com/products/sunglasses-3-2			1.0595710898409E+14	Whichevery	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455137808_1032030198272904_6017367903225188602_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LbVyO1RsQb0Q7kNvgEJRLeK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYDgXm4fYd5EHOoMHb1v62ZxjQ36C994Dk3O8TvWBvK8jA&oe=673986EC	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Whichevery		221	https://www.facebook.com/100087137954903/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436831	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 7:37 PM	1731438086	1733362648		1782																										www.derivescend.com	Shop now			VIDEO	HOT SALE		https://www.derivescend.com/products/sunglasses-3			2.8384438148655E+14	Derivescend-A	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456334919_1054894386010567_8589078155600079486_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F8QJFl5hUIAQ7kNvgHTTnKB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYByLSz8IumilPHi2JbLOO_JNr4phFZFTKS91uc8dWIqdw&oe=6739705D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶 Introducing the latest Bluetooth glasses for 2024! Experience a world of music without any restrictions. Say goodbye to wires and hello to freedom with our wireless Bluetooth connection. ✨		Derivescend-A		425	https://www.facebook.com/61559716381576/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436903	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 12:09 PM	1731438117	1733335780		1782																										hellomaterials.com	Shop now			VIDEO	FREE SHIPPING + 50% OFF TODAY		https://hellomaterials.com/products/dauos-mount			1.0353853279169E+14	Thesharpevo	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453843137_480928371352111_6561827939970913335_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=je0wkq5-Ss0Q7kNvgENSpDz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYAvUoVSo5VjfbFN6sTpvrGQOO2QeQ7sc77CBHaUG3NAmA&oe=673978C7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Hunters, elevate your game with this Mount! This versatile mount secures your smartphone to your rifle, crossbow, or any cylinder, allowing you to record your hunt in stunning HD. Why spend hundreds on low-quality action cameras when you can use your high-quality smartphone? ✅ Record Your Hunt: Capture every thrilling moment with ease. ✅ Track Your Hits: Instantly review your shots and make informed decisions. ✅ Stay Connected: Check messages and time without missing a beat. Inspired by a love for hunting and a passion for innovation, the Hellomaterials Mount is designed to enhance your outdoor experience. Get yours now and make every hunt unforgettable. Limited time offer: 50% off today + free shipping! Don’t miss out! https://hellomaterials.com/products/dauos-mount		Hellomaterials		814	https://www.facebook.com/100093631585838/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436907	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/19/24, 2:06 PM	1731438119	1732025160		1782																										www.favourablte.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.favourablte.com/products/bearscome-blue-blocking-glasses-shades-sunglasses			2.286742403353E+14	Favourablte	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453980316_523093736741908_7451825555866447873_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5Wsm_mHUySMQ7kNvgHzDRHX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYAyRj_yI6yhysMyt91ZE1sIA60YwiLYUlLTmudTMInu7A&oe=673974B6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨Bluetooth connection, high quality music, clear and transparent sound; 😍Gas conduction technology, listening to songs does not affect the acquisition of external sound; 💪Will not be in the "ear blind" state, greatly reducing the security risks; 🍁Fashion design, suitable for a variety of scenes;		Favourablte		455	https://www.facebook.com/61556587954435/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436931	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/19/24, 2:12 PM	1731438129	1732025520		1782																										www.oncondtitat.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🌞 Game-changing sunglasses! 😎		https://www.oncondtitat.com/products/sunglasses-3-2			1.0014581943086E+14	Oncondtitat	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452934796_513434174559377_1216398689016598633_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Cji4fa_ifuYQ7kNvgH2dXam&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYC9IYRrKpHiB9ZPmWWEu38GoLENasrO0qQ9bux_u5-3GQ&oe=67397160	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🌟 I'm obsessed with my new Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🌟 These sunglasses are a total game-changer. 😎🎧📸🎵 Enjoy Crystal Clear Sound 😎 Look Effortlessly Cool 💬 Hands-Free Calls 🔋 Long Battery Life		Oncondtitat		1421	https://www.facebook.com/100082837707703/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436937	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 9:07 AM	1731438131	1733324822		1782																										misconstructed.info	Learn more			VIDEO	Press the "Learn more" button to claim your offer immediately. 👇		https://misconstructed.info/landers/mfc/usa/RavinTedNugent?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=6698ec4eaabe780012e1bead			1.0796897832873E+14	Nông My	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453069548_474044605413210_7224469481888262063_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qfdBPdZYpL8Q7kNvgFsxOtZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYCAa7q9psqf8kBWAirUWLiGt6fcatyPN5-vqH_FS3sXuA&oe=67397FAB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're viewing this, 😱 Hooray for your success! You're among the fortunate 3,000 who have snagged a Ravin R29 Crossbow for only $10 in our giveaway. 🥳		Nông My		0	https://www.facebook.com/100095653327716/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436401	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/1/24, 8:01 AM	1731437908	1733061666		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465423304_1074459380790715_5870329257738853395_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VZQDf_5_gsEQ7kNvgGtuBQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYAdqnB8epMb2yQuYhLfzU1YtLB7dfli2hkoyDpl_gM0IQ&oe=67398A77	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436865	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 4:26 PM	1731438102	1733178390		1782																										www.othertwise.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.othertwise.com/products/sunglasses			3.0113173975202E+14	Othertwise	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454629737_1078409034001113_6053514788045524147_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KQQABD4Rx2QQ7kNvgGfafO7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYDs15mtQsdjx-A67BTOw0cv055t_RoX4CDtLe7GxnadlQ&oe=67398D97	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge.		Othertwise		1304	https://www.facebook.com/61558970535680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437092	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	1/31/25, 9:28 PM	1731438190	1738380507		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437109	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/5/24, 3:39 PM	1731438198	1733434783		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/the_artifact_armory			2.0444567276281E+14	the_artifact_armory	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/434065017_916149810517293_3946055406223079127_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=jpr7v6BPfDkQ7kNvgGRU0dk&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAQldWZcCPNG2O-l3mNLT9hgucmg1P5e80gp8lOlE_dsA&oe=673986FD	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0				the_artifact_armory		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/the_artifact_armory	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437175	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/27/24, 1:09 PM	1731438230	1732734591		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Satisfied Customers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-mount			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448141279_7697346590320347_5769315558182175487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q1Pumiwup6QQ7kNvgEoiuFF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYBTmzU5uCLUd-piHeDUtUOSAJsKL34BlBKMp13PycwnLw&oe=67395BAB	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		Upgrade Your Hunting Game! 🌳 Mount your smartphone on any rifle or crossbow and record stunning videos. Stay connected in the wilderness, grab yours today! Hurry, grab your set today! 👉 https://thedauos.com/dauos_mount				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437015	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/22/24, 3:55 AM	1731438165	1732247700		1782																										coloureshop.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://coloureshop.com/products/sunglasses-2			3.2771699708752E+14	Coloureshop.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451130936_3812883682371504_5443034673997907436_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-drnS2DvsKEQ7kNvgFfhRRD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AftMIJIi1kHxhzPKzE7ERo4&oh=00_AYB-_xcSpm1KpoTVUZXSVXMUI_8eT8sp2orekxJ9VFKxJg&oe=67397334	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎧🕶️ Experience the future of audio with our Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds!		Coloureshop.com		1677	https://www.facebook.com/61559795016252/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436645	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/27/24, 12:45 PM	1731438010	1732733114		1782																										amazon.com	Download			CAROUSEL	99¢ Bestselling crime fiction	A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JW4NX1/			5.2868648390662E+14	The Book Folks	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461774604_1244842073609408_7581157158359788746_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kkFnsxvaQzoQ7kNvgGCmxtz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDEI5vn1uGLfZexjxjtzs4GNdHJa-qMlJZZcDqrICD1Fg&oe=6739918D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A female Asian detective holds her own in a white-male dominated world.		The Book Folks		9499	https://www.facebook.com/thebookfolks/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2437212	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/1/24, 2:31 PM	1731438244	1733085116		1782																										onlinehol.com	Shop now			IMAGE	onlinehol.com	Bored of standard dice rolling This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller It s compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices The loading mechanism allows you to lock the catch with 1 swift motion Use the trigger to release the dice It is recommended to aim the crossbow sl...	https://www.onlinehol.com/products/crossbow-dice-roller---holder			1.0061723310202E+14	Kf-help.com	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436491184_407493838817995_6546935401735937741_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2_W5qu-ze_gQ7kNvgEu9qfN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYC6ZNYiiMS8FiycXTJfyh0GyEeOKIGHL5FePNAjNWLUxQ&oe=67397340	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎲Bored of standard dice rolling? This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller. It's compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices.		Kf-help.com		54	https://www.facebook.com/100094257708541/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437163	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/2/24, 12:53 AM	1731438221	1733122393		1782																										shapesence.com	Learn more			VIDEO			https://shapesence.com/products/bluevibejj?campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}			2.514980095199E+15	Luhizito	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448103828_434507459467315_3787629916064986247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kdnx1O3jTRwQ7kNvgGEHHdM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYAqfIFGKsb8Qo-ry_0fY23ZfT2LnNAiaGTzsUtmGsGEVg&oe=6739717E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Unlock your confidence with every drop,boosting vitality day by day.		Luhizito		7	https://www.facebook.com/100068093018199/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436262	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 3:32 PM	1731437846	1732743154		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-2			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465790355_1645028049694867_6772502510019557869_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bJIjNENoeO0Q7kNvgFw64du&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYD7TTearK6325mXfggSZjbf76W9lrQgSuqti16ReHp7QQ&oe=67396350	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436225	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 2:42 PM	1731437830	1732740173		1782																										merrithew.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL			https://www.merrithew.com/instructor-training/find-training/ontario-toronto#workshops			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465984601_1458684198139170_5437178588802457217_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9QmycRt7DtoQ7kNvgHVqRio&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYD5iBl-R0ZvG7mqqH4SfI0dVlx0-dUI1DDxlU-GJKwSJg&oe=67399203	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436207	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	5/21/25, 9:42 PM	1731437822	1747881780		1782																										primedealpicks.online	Apply now			VIDEO	Get Your $8.97 Deal!	Apply Now	https://primedealpicks.online/us-tp-giveaway-1106-2/?campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&site=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&placement=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D			4.3358509651273E+14	Golden Giveaway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466338906_909143597513242_882344852225682212_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2wXCG4hnQkkQ7kNvgHCiRfW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYCUmK5kJo7rLONR37TE0vu3nRct4HUJ_3qZdzT5SJkLzg&oe=67395D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎉 YOU'RE A WINNER! 🥳 You're one of only 3,000 lucky individuals to snag a 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝟓𝟎𝟓 for just $8.97 in our epic giveaway! 😱 Celebrate your success and get ready to take aim with this incredible deal! 👍		Golden Giveaway		417	https://www.facebook.com/61567827387401/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437694	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 3:41 PM	1731438419	1732743698		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Install Now			DCO	Get 777 Free Draws🎉	{{product.description}}	http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1664335636			1.081249221191E+14	Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428702953_1294895474745022_271974139990118811_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XeSzQ6JRUhgQ7kNvgF7Z9Q2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBRs_Z7ijqAdFS-crpMaY4rBDP6eDuYArbvoDu9goFhzQ&oe=67399320	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The Dungeon's door has opened🎉Forge Your Own Hero's Journey📲		Eternal Hunt: Dark Ancients		2100	https://www.facebook.com/100088190161207/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437671	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 2:52 PM	1731438411	1732740767		1782																										gamehollywood.com	Play Game			DCO	Welcome to Titan Revenge!	{{product.description}}	https://www.gamehollywood.com/ldp/cEEx.action?gameId=239&lp=tr14&cno=TitanRevenge_GHG_FB_T1			1.4803483505697E+14	Titan Revenge	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428712680_418826437305195_5858516169441456784_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v0IbVnrUKXAQ7kNvgGJ9Z_t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYD0RgdzOBqVFgZqVa5SdSPL-psCk5VKlbR5baGr4GV98w&oe=67395BEA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Join Titan Revenge for Epic RPG Action Battle, come discover and challenge! 💥💥		Titan Revenge		10317	https://www.facebook.com/TitanRevenge/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436413	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/27/24, 2:54 PM	1731437911	1732740873		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436873	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 1:18 AM	1731438104	1733123902		1782																										www.consulbefor.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.consulbefor.com/products/sunglasses-3-3			1.0946305850871E+14	Consulbefor	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454390395_1494132807896880_2401939667566343924_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sq5_vBUQlfgQ7kNvgENv2sA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYDIwH3ob05GhPvEdzCvFaFV2BY1zahzdCG4saOX9L4ZqQ&oe=67398E87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		I can't wait to share some of the amazing moments about what these smart glasses have brought to me and my family!😜		Consulbefor		13590	https://www.facebook.com/100083798149155/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436218	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 6:16 PM	1731437828	1733185000		1782																										linktr.ee	Learn more			VIDEO			https://linktr.ee/hippomovie			3.8983813087818E+14	hippothemovie	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/464555151_1807518826650618_8551584841378843722_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=TaDbLHTwtSoQ7kNvgE4BidY&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAy6iJcxhx7aNPGNzUcVHNmF87LPeq7mnhCKuNJyM6Suw&oe=673960D9	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		And you thought your family was strange…HIPPO arrives in select theaters THIS WEEKEND 🦛 NYC opens Nov 8th and LA on the 16th. Grab tickets now while they’re still available! Links 🔗 in bio for all current showings (most with live Q&As). Stay safe out there 🦛⚔️🛸		hippothemovie		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/hippothemovie	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437705	1	active	11/12/24, 1:07 PM	12/2/24, 2:07 AM	1731438422	1733126837		1782																										musiccityarchery.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	For All Your Archery Needs		http://musiccityarchery.com/			7.4702195870935E+14	Music City Archery	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422264410_752229343444243_7706606627779637779_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=F0lOZZuybYoQ7kNvgHBKSPf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAyxL-jquihUAKMoRJawQCQPDqO0Mi2O-PzDRQR-3n5Aw&oe=67398387	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Music City Archery		2617	https://www.facebook.com/musiccityarchery/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436210	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 4:51 PM	1731437824	1732747867		1782																										roadsir.com	Shop now			IMAGE	Personalized Crossbow Hunting Arrow Christmas Ornament - 2024 New Release	Perfect for besties, sisters, siblings, and colleagues, this ornament is ideal for Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and anniversaries. Its elegant and timeless design ensures it will be a meaningful and cherished keepsake, celebrating love and new beginnings in style. Product details: Size: 8 cm....	https://www.roadsir.com/arrow			1.1088126168535E+14	Roadsir	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466147058_1950233035452716_8256653755201370221_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8MHrnzJxJoYQ7kNvgGGjo8K&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYBDpXSxf1bo3_lg3_fTnIJYkVMm_FZ1_AaaazvN_-B8eg&oe=673973FA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Release❤️Personalized Crossbow Hunting Arrow Christmas Ornament.This would be a perfect anniversary gift🎁Order here: roadsir.com/arrow		Roadsir		1902	https://www.facebook.com/100083232349431/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436549	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/27/24, 4:58 PM	1731437965	1732748306		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An ex-assassin must fight to become a dragonrider...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464272539_1190402865405439_8176830678555709690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pde656xwGloQ7kNvgGRjD1M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBeLsNs1BSyzsYvMWzbANbwuh2vfcUASNRITLQnZ4Q4Bw&oe=673987AD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … For more high-stakes action with a touch of clean romance: Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436562	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 6:33 PM	1731437970	1733185982		1782																										www.casualedgenuine.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Smart Glasses, Wireless Headphone Music & Calling		https://www.casualedgenuine.com/products/last-day-sale-49-off-smart-glasses-wireless-headphone-music-calling?variant=13050			3.8909278762285E+14	Casualedgenuine+Hr	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464270107_555370856878590_250302600799129808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PGgMJmxAs_8Q7kNvgEcEeAw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYAuJ-BnTGcX6vf_j0HxLsGEy2Qev93e39Yuh9UkCocNRQ&oe=673971DD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		💥Smart glasses - A New Era of Intelligent Interaction!💥 🎯✅ Effortless automatic pairing. 📷✅ Enjoy remote photography. 🎧✅ Make Bluetooth audio calls with ease. 🎙✅ Wake up the voice assistant effortlessly.		Casualedgenuine+Hr		207	https://www.facebook.com/61563844847146/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437344	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/2/24, 2:11 AM	1731438299	1733127069		1782																														MULTI_IMAGES						4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435976352_801321792055466_1595975461543692487_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q-FiJCUKNhoQ7kNvgFVX31L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCUfDWdVzrPwK9oJfZW5RC7xP8q5DRvZ3PKmJKjgxcXJQ&oe=67397F31	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		EXQUISITE SUPER Series Daryl 1/12 scale action figure from 【The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon】now joins Hiya Toys. Story follows【The Walking Dead】, Daryl wakes up on the southern coast of France, where he encounters Isabelle, a nun, and a child named Laurent. Nuns believe that Laurent is the key to saving the world from walkers. One day, Codron's men attack the abbey. Faced with the last request of the elder num, Daryl is determined to protect Laurent and Isabelle on their journey to an outpost called 'The Nest'. In return, Isabelle has pledged to assist Daryl in finding a port. Amidst the multiple crises, they support each other to break through the siege. This brand new Daryl action figure stands 15.8cm tall, faithfully reproducing the facial details of Daryl from 【The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon】. Dressed in a black trench coat, mud-covered marching boots, and a detachable canvas bag slung diagonally, all faithfully recreated even in the 1/12 scale. The clothes, jeans and belts are all made from real cloth, ensuring both superior poseability and aesthetic appeal. Daryl was equipped with a harpoon, a crossbow, a rifle and his old buddy morning star, always accompanying Daryl at the forefront of challenges. With a highly posable body and 6x interchangeable hand parts, allowing enthusiasts to recreate a variety of action poses from the series. Additionally includes a special stand for this series is also included, featuring a black base adorned with the series logo, providing an immersive experience of the most thrilling bloodbath! Price: 89.99 USD Release time: 2025Q1 Check this on: https://www.hiyatoys.com/products/hiya-exquisite-super-1-12-scale-6-inch-the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-daryl-action-figure and check local shop on: https://www.hiyatoys.com/pages/where-to-buy #actionfigure #hiyatoys #figurephotography #collectibles #toys 🏆Hiya Giveaway: Make comments on this post to win our EXQUISITE SUPER Series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Daryl action figure! End Date: 2024 April 26th Winner will be announced via DM		Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0										View Edit Delete
2436230	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/27/24, 6:02 PM	1731437831	1732752163		1782																										Customer Appreciation Sales Event	INTERESTED			EVENT	Customer Appreciation Sales Event	Don't miss out on our biggest sales event of the year! • Live Machine Demos....and Reps... Ideal Machine, Weima, Pillar & Larick, Castle & CSI, Cameron & Taylor, Cehisa Edgebander, MTC, Costa, Streibig, Leadermac & Cantek. Don't Miss Out! • Factory Reps • Refreshments Served Throughout the Day • Big Green Egg/Ravin Crossbow/Air Works Gift Card Promo •Virtual Live Stream.	https://www.facebook.com/events/521514464133478/			2.6259018086346E+14	AW Machinery	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466494108_1781021199370328_5295557121154586504_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Gibo5Njv28Q7kNvgEoZL-g&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYCrwdQLO24u7qBRqOOyrQoA_1GF9Zc9YoRWpkJ4NpBWhA&oe=6739814C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		‼️Customer Appreciation Sales Event!‼️ @awmachinery.woodworking is gearing up for another great sales event & you don't want to miss out on our biggest sale of the year! Thursday November 21, 8-4 at.... 📍AW Machinery 6161 Mt Hope Road Apple Creek Ohio 44606 •Live Demos •Factory Reps •Refreshments •Big Green Egg/ Ravin Crossbow/ Air Works Gift Card with purchase of qualifying machine. 16,000 Sq Ft Showroom, showcasing the latest woodworking innovations in the industry. Demonstrating 25+ Machines Call us today! 📞 330-778-0020 awmachineryllc.com #awmachinery #woodworking #woodworkingequipment		AW Machinery		295	https://www.facebook.com/awmachineryllc/	0		EVENT_RSVP								View Edit Delete
2437355	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/2/24, 3:02 AM	1731438303	1733130130		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			https://www.instagram.com/_u/hiya_toys			4.2369941439035E+14	Hiya toys	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435890169_455637816898997_1400948676440987007_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FSrTwLbgGZgQ7kNvgFTZtCZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAXnfqWnXPshFzM-NXiILEZ6_2mTuqOMJPUipLtCs_k1g&oe=67398A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Hiya Toys		21447	https://www.facebook.com/Hiyatoys/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436270	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 3:19 AM	1731437849	1733131166		1782																											Buy now			IMAGE	*Red/White Wii Bundle**Cleaned and Tested**Selling Together*		https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/916799576557989/			1.0893644210312E+14	Kerri Henry		REGULAR_PAGE	1					1		*Red/White Wii Bundle**Cleaned and Tested**Selling Together* - $260.00 Red Wii (Refurbished)-$80 White WiiMote w/ Motion Plus & 2 Nunchuks-$30 Sensor Bar, Racing Wheel, and Baseball Bat-$10 Active Life Explorer-$8 Active Life Outdoor Challenge-$6 Alvin and The Chipmunks The Squeakuel-$6 ATV Quad Kings-$5 Battle Rage-$6 Blazing Angels-$5 Boom Blox-$6 Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2012-$7 Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2009-$5 Cabela's Outdoor Adventures-$6 Carnival MiniGolf-$7 Cars 2-$6 Cars Toon Mater’s Tall Tales-$6 Chicken Blaster-$5 Cooking Mama Cook Off-$6 Deer Drive-$6 Game Party-$6 Game Party 2-$8 Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout-$5 Hannah Montana Spotlight-$4 Heatseeker-$6 Kidz Sports Crazy Golf-$5 Kung Fu Panda-$5 LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4-$7 LEGO RockBand-$10 LEGO Star Wars Complete Saga-$6 Link’s Crossbow Training-$6 Littlest Pet Shop-$6 Looney Tunes Acme Arsenal-$6 Madden 10-$5 Madden 12-$7 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games-$10 Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games-$12 Monster Hunter Tri-$9 *FULL LIST AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST* Grand Value $458 $300 Firm Learn more about this listing on Facebook Marketplace: https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/916799576557989/		Kerri Henry		0	https://www.facebook.com/Kerri-Henry-108936442103116/	0		BUY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436383	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/1/24, 6:22 PM	1731437899	1733098979		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437335	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	6/11/25, 10:40 PM	1731438294	1749699629		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437732342_970951774681776_4141327689219733670_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1CKiSwkKmWAQ7kNvgEH2adA&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYBPV2Mw69jFDIV2NXQ1s4Ty3vVrAirC9lYMSm0C1kVExg&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437211	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/28/24, 2:36 AM	1731438243	1732783010		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Download For FREE		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1628970855			1.0979610510263E+14	AFK Journey	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436483490_3770385239917595_7226679730417838514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4IJfu5H4JJgQ7kNvgHNEjbr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYBo7SnH5B5aZ_Le8Ejy8ICA7SlnnPILR1C8tE7l8W4BUA&oe=67398E8C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		AFK's new flagship game		AFK Journey		217113	https://www.facebook.com/AFKJourneyOfficial/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437068	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 12:51 AM	1731438181	1732776697		1782																										www.intelligient.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🕶️Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.intelligient.com/products/sunglasses			1.8104210176101E+14	Intelligient	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450552955_1608275376571466_8221288128650340715_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cRZ2KNDGM68Q7kNvgGzltOy&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDuftV9QNbtzfnwVogX4SCX71rHk1ArwHilcGLg-LmnpA&oe=673963CE	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩These bluetooth sunglasses are SO cool! You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🎶#sunglasses #bluetooth #smartglasses #bluetoothsunglasses		Intelligient		427	https://www.facebook.com/61554096550256/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436703	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/28/24, 12:51 AM	1731438034	1732776714		1782																										walmart.com	Learn More			CAROUSEL	#219 Crossbow	100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter	https://www.walmart.com/ip/Swhacker-219-Crossbow-Broadheads-2-Blade-100-Grain-1-75-Cut-Pack-of-3/37814354?from=%2Fsearch			1.2676108407726E+14	Swhacker Broadheads	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459250349_1046603056841191_199755559286010371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=64zBY9KClUEQ7kNvgHW7x4L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAbyiEhYBpVje8DYJztqcs3UT0zFmIQzQpWmnWiOefYEQ&oe=67398E4B	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		100 grains, 1.75" cutting diameter		Swhacker Broadheads		62899	https://www.facebook.com/swhackerbroadheads/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436425	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/28/24, 4:26 AM	1731437917	1732789564		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437549	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 9:11 PM	1731438379	1732763519		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436781	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/28/24, 1:24 AM	1731438066	1732778697		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436724	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/28/24, 1:32 AM	1731438041	1732779155		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Code:ACCU20	Limited Time!	https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459275338_2261106424256061_6970781307588947603_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58AVmvZ6d3AQ7kNvgEzB7vY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYAtmzQb7JX24BL2Bmp3FzD5MowvAWRvY4I48DPWRFtr1w&oe=673978FB	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Limited Time!		Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437617	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/27/24, 11:53 PM	1731438397	1732773206		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437228	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/28/24, 12:24 AM	1731438254	1732775080		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437474	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/1/24, 12:07 AM	1731438356	1733033250		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437480	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/1/24, 12:11 AM	1731438357	1733033465		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437607	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	2/8/25, 4:05 AM	1731438394	1739009144		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Limited Time Offer		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-sling-hook			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432066330_725909343028498_7639940185673184075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4r0HcaPZFfkQ7kNvgEFfFcW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYDAkT9J0npa_qRRwQVOQm_FI0xe7-Nas_t2o-XAknK0Dw&oe=67398B2C	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🌿 Unleash Your Hunting Potential with the Dauos Sling Hook! 🦌 Say goodbye to restrictions and hello to freedom with our revolutionary sling catch! Designed for hunters, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Dauos Sling Hook ensures your gear stays secure and your hands remain free for the thrill of the hunt. ✅ Secure Your Gear: Keep your rifle, bow, crossbow, or camera readily accessible while hiking rugged terrain or crossing streams with ease. ✅ Unmatched Versatility: Compatible with any sling up to 5/8" thick and adaptable to any pack strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is the ultimate solution for hunters of all disciplines. ✅ Quick and Easy Installation: No assembly required - simply attach to your favorite pack shoulder strap, trim to fit, and you're ready for action. ✅ Comfort and Reliability: Engineered for maximum comfort with specialized features to ensure a secure grip on your shoulder strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is your trusted companion on every adventure. Experience the difference today! Order your Dauos Sling Hook and elevate your hunting experience to new heights. 🌟 Get Yours Now and Embrace the Freedom of Unrestricted Exploration! 🔥 https://thedauos.com/slinghook				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436304	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 9:25 AM	1731437865	1732807501		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436297	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 9:44 AM	1731437862	1732808645		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436265	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 10:47 AM	1731437847	1732812469		1782																										typicaln.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://typicaln.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.0600159913742E+14	Typicaln	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465957007_1607247646886724_7304890780450485211_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TrzZq9XU998Q7kNvgHisMBL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYBR9bZBN3rhqTBV6DiUkGNTlT_0perJTqJhh0M5hK3Xjg&oe=67398EF1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Typicaln		228	https://www.facebook.com/100091985941547/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436909	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	11/28/24, 11:10 AM	1731438120	1732813832		1782																										www.overcoaty.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.overcoaty.com/products/sunglasses			1.0131505952658E+14	ETSY-Overcoaty.US	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453505734_1164790964752305_7218836911274495331_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pG9ZV2fUCmMQ7kNvgFJoGsc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDsOVhQKvGY_rrDsWQvrAfL1Ow_cWTHbWcRSlXh0I1E7Q&oe=67398E04	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🕶2024 New Bluetooth glasses are grandly debuted! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection allows you to enjoy the world of music freely! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.🎶#sunglasses #bluetooth #smartglasses #bluetoothsunglasses				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437097	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 11:31 AM	1731438193	1732815103		1782																										www.legitimaty.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.legitimaty.com/products/smart-wireless-headphone-sunglasses			1.0578887916462E+14	Legitimaty	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450233326_1002758851350486_6710273667418545166_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3xh3fovfK2gQ7kNvgESh4u5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDG7T2fy8ur7u2bhQAFAq7nauD62969dwhN1Y1bjA07Aw&oe=67398A1F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		My favorite thing all 2024 so far😍These smart sunglasses are Bluetooth compatible, play music, send text messages, control your phones camera, control your voice assistant, allow you to hold a phone conversation, and more!🥳🤣		Legitimaty		633	https://www.facebook.com/100091684853915/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436255	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 11:32 AM	1731437842	1732815130		1782																														VIDEO	Non-Slip Gun Sling - Double Strap Backpack Sling - Rock Solid Shooting Sling					1.2197515116283E+14	Slogan Outdoors	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466337664_1653039655244917_1890819783757946669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4WodJYxk4GUQ7kNvgFdPxqt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYA7XHhg89Mwe0kAXA4vkLf7M9bfb10Q4GfCx0T88puP0w&oe=673986C7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The original rubber gun sling and double strap backpack sling for over 30 years! Don't settle for cheap knock-offs! Non-Slip Gun Sling - Double Strap Backpack Sling - Rock Solid Shooting Sling Made in America, by Americans! Forever Guarantee! https://www.sloganoutdoors.com/slings Slogan Outdoors Slings stretch to fit comfortably gripping your shoulder under tension, keeping your firearm and/or crossbow securely on your shoulder. The elasticity of the material and the unique double strap design allows the outer strap to be stretched over your head and placed on to your opposite shoulder. This move brings you into a 3/4 backpack position, completely securing your firearm and/or crossbow. As a shooting sling you can go into multiple positions without making any adjustments to the length of the sling. The sling can also be extended in length to become a front and ready carry sling. All our slings are constructed of a high-grade synthetic rubber. This material has a life expectancy of 40+ years without dry rot. This sling is impervious to the weather, quiet, non-slip, shock-absorbing, UV stabilized, and stays flexible to -40 degrees below zero. Sling Size Guide: Deciding whether to choose the Ultraflex Sling or the Long Magnum Sling? This decision should be made by sizing the sling to its intended user. The reason being is ensuring the user has adequate room and comfort, due to our unique double strap system that offers our well known “3/4 backpack position.” *The Ultraflex Sling is for users wearing a t-shirt size small, medium, or large.* *The Long Magnum Sling is for users wearing a t-shirt size XL, 1X, or 2X.* (Note that we have taken layers and heavy clothing into account when we state this sizing guide.) *One exception to this is, Ultraflex users may decide to go to the Long Magnum if they have a gun approaching 10lbs or heavier. *One other exception is users that are wearing a t-shirt size XL and getting their sling strictly for their crossbow, may want to go with the Ultraflex Sling. Crossbows are very compact systems and it is important to keep the sling compact and away from interference.		Slogan Outdoors		10105	https://www.facebook.com/SloganOutdoors/	0										View Edit Delete
2436250	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 1:08 PM	1731437840	1732820888		1782																										play.google.com	Play game			VIDEO	No more pay-to-win		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.global.pnck			1.0036597612959E+14	Puzzles & Chaos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465872351_842842674425206_8067118761873997504_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2OWy4J_3rAoQ7kNvgEZt2b3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYDNVWWgAUWAl3HJGoF61x9oCcP3Gtz_wrPnFeR8JS5Yxw&oe=67398023	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Legendary gear from even normal mobs🥳		Puzzles & Chaos		20718	https://www.facebook.com/PuzzlesAndChaos/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2437224	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	4/29/25, 9:32 AM	1731438252	1745937177		1782																										xorcyp.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐜𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞👉👉 Buy More Save More!!!		https://www.vyjnggf.com/products?handler=outdoor-gear&token=8H9tgskk			3.1300032189071E+14	Gaqqueb	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436481696_443500681960150_285019546833616229_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C1re0aDLHpEQ7kNvgEnHlqF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A-zV3ZO3TwuslC7sTP97LQ-&oh=00_AYCaSTOf0621Y5lbEodVPlchGvLGMz3XE1QBGRnad9-0cA&oe=67397F84	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Gaqqueb		1	https://www.facebook.com/61558872900229/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437169	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 4:46 PM	1731438223	1732833979		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Limited Time Offer		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-sling-hook			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448349337_1836153846864515_114870237832405221_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bsHBJV3vTvYQ7kNvgFSC-eP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ac5pHPsOFa0QBaxEerNDreC&oh=00_AYCUmtgjSR-c9V1x8McPdQn8GDh-2M5F1ksWjIeSYVEwnQ&oe=67398D06	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🌿 Unleash Your Hunting Potential with the Dauos Sling Hook! 🦌 Say goodbye to restrictions and hello to freedom with our revolutionary sling catch! Designed for hunters, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Dauos Sling Hook ensures your gear stays secure and your hands remain free for the thrill of the hunt. ✅ Secure Your Gear: Keep your rifle, bow, crossbow, or camera readily accessible while hiking rugged terrain or crossing streams with ease. ✅ Unmatched Versatility: Compatible with any sling up to 5/8" thick and adaptable to any pack strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is the ultimate solution for hunters of all disciplines. ✅ Quick and Easy Installation: No assembly required - simply attach to your favorite pack shoulder strap, trim to fit, and you're ready for action. ✅ Comfort and Reliability: Engineered for maximum comfort with specialized features to ensure a secure grip on your shoulder strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is your trusted companion on every adventure. Experience the difference today! Order your Dauos Sling Hook and elevate your hunting experience to new heights. 🌟 Get Yours Now and Embrace the Freedom of Unrestricted Exploration! 🔥 https://thedauos.com/slinghook				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436607	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	5/11/25, 2:48 PM	1731437989	1746992887		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463022317_8471293876250048_7582923471004569257_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qsDhiSeitcgQ7kNvgFEQJnT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYDtPa3RBKaA8SYHYi4-jFfCDipcrdIX8X0XlBDrXxHeCg&oe=67397B6C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436420	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/30/24, 5:50 PM	1731437915	1733010614		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437600	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/2/24, 4:09 AM	1731438392	1733134179		1782																										onlinehol.com	Shop now			IMAGE	onlinehol.com	bull Bored of standard dice rolling This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller It s compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices bull The loading mechanism allows you to lock the catch with 1 swift motion Use the trigger to release the dice bull It is recommended to aim....	https://www.onlinehol.com/products/crossbow-dice-roller---holder?variant=11511987			1.099739854881E+14	Onlinehol	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432480783_386568457557643_6630097744534941123_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_GXp7XrPqzwQ7kNvgG4tUuz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBwg71v8TZkRB4rKfBMlvv_HzQPzLO_xLOz0VdjGrC1zg&oe=67396C5A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎯Bored of standard dice rolling? This unique crossbow is a functional dice roller. It's compartment can hold up to 1 set of standard sized polyhedral dices.		Onlinehol		231	https://www.facebook.com/100094200711519/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436818	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/30/24, 5:41 PM	1731438079	1733010080		1782																										www.forweardtap.com	Shop now			VIDEO	49% OFF		https://www.forweardtap.com/products/sunglasses-3			1.9384163715192E+14	Forweardtaping	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456457363_377339502076038_5046741868030690369_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lPTS3Nix1c8Q7kNvgG1YUSN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYAna_fhNCdfEcOBK-zkw1WB7KqKgGGNAhvRhwDNXbpv3Q&oe=67397240	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Forweardtaping		593	https://www.facebook.com/61555048217010/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436237	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/30/24, 5:45 PM	1731437836	1733010342		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Handcrafted in Telluride, Colorado	{{product.description}}	http://www.shopcrossbow.com/			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465985305_1684143588795664_9109533657417579314_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nZwh6oe4HmcQ7kNvgHkUZ3M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYAQ3DG0QYd-WRBvbJj5sGlzO2u2CPaND4qDxgi6TZmHjw&oe=673969F6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in Telluride, Colorado		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437086	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 6:46 PM	1731438188	1732841200		1782																										funwhole.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	❤️Building block lovers should not miss it!	Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.	https://www.funwhole.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium={{campaign.name}}&utm_campaign={{adset.name}}&utm_content={{ad.name}}			1.0561416842972E+14	FUNWHOLE	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450849348_357954830444391_3111708813425945294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDVsQFrHDlYQ7kNvgG8osr2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYBZHsuyevOtCGPgQD5fPiQoJVsokvOrFGMYliGx_DMqCg&oe=67396DB1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Step away from modern life and build the Funwhole Medieval Watchtower, taking you back to the Middle Ages.		FUNWHOLE		81863	https://www.facebook.com/FUNWHOLE/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436436	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/28/24, 5:44 PM	1731437921	1732837473		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	{{product.name}}	Our new 5-panel hat features iconic rodeo embroidery and a snapback fit. Durable, comfortable, and perfect for any adventure.	https://shopcrossbow.com/search?q=trucker+hats			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465403171_1720613205176345_1609192094272821144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kjqazbpWSnoQ7kNvgF1sE9r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCEVoyrd6qcS2lxlY3D_GNOCY6-BD8_L_GAC3fWBOiItA&oe=67399085	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		New Crossbow Trucker Hats		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437120	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 7:04 PM	1731438201	1732842293		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://pocketpromo.site/?key=3p1mi735a6ttuizvsu0w&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.2951201691984E+14	Hot offer	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449364807_2192329041120564_8205929241466631813_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bXd3uxSBdNwQ7kNvgGGNqjO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYC3FF06Xde3eZrP2LOmmRYP-B21VZoHHgRMXala_GPp_g&oe=67397C64	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/2snc9t3t		Hot offer		5	https://www.facebook.com/61561809932240/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437603	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/28/24, 5:53 PM	1731438392	1732838007		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			1.0684506208708E+14	Age of Frostfall	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431502711_907878270884982_7871176958020716854_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=k6Hg7-EDRCIQ7kNvgFsH7ug&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYCLe2mGSdQHfhXrpFkREpwJSNVI8rscMhHXGMyZmOJy6Q&oe=67399007	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Age of Frostfall		769	https://www.facebook.com/100083610756555/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437099	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/1/24, 6:46 PM	1731438194	1733100372		1782																										www.imaginarry.net	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.imaginarry.net/products/smart-glasses			1.0204022589507E+14	Im-aginarry	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/449986450_8106336506054220_6245169934712124409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uSpQ32nt8OUQ7kNvgG6kF2u&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDIAObo5zlIbUG7Xzs8JpEl3TJb6h0jCbtnHCfwnhmpHA&oe=67397DB5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,, allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨ 🛒Get it here👉 https://www.imaginarry.net/products/smart-glasses		Im-aginarry		531	https://www.facebook.com/100083145259748/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437510	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/28/24, 6:13 PM	1731438366	1732839216		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			IMAGE			http://instagram.com/geekpire_official			1.0565242520142E+14	geekpire_official	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/230556229_972583996923335_3024290080248920440_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=eqenuwdNfxoQ7kNvgFoMS4X&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAOI7sHCyNhaD7f4qZpw20ICvrJSqylRIdCwk2ZqMzFow&oe=67398320	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		Two rouge survivors of the Great War within the story of our campaign featuring a rugged and eccentric but smart dwarven artificer named Belrin and his modified clockwork warforge companion Baxter. With Belrin’s ingenuity and near limitless arsenal of tools and weapons including a powerful mechanical ballista bolt crossbow with dwarven tonal architecture magics used within the myrthil metal bowstring, to increase the vibrational frequency of arrows, allowing them to partially phase through armour, duplicate via quantum entanglement between arrow heads, manifesting an infinite number of arrows, alongside explosive arrows, acid, arrows, frost arrows and lightning arrows, Berlin is also armed with a flintlock pistol, a seismic wave emitting tuning fork, explosives his trusty pick axe and his hulking mechanical companion Baxter armed with an arm cannon, bladed limbs and a shield, not to mention Baxter’s stoic and reserved demeanour is quite the contrast to Belrin’s chaotic and eccentric personality, the two make for an unexpected but formidable duo. A great thanks to @freirearts for your work on this project and a pleasure working with you as always. #dnd #dnd5e #dndart #dndartwork #dndcampaign #dndcampaignart #dndartwork #dnddwarf #dwarf #artificer #dndartificer #warforged #warforgedart #artist #fantasy #fantasyart #fantasyartwork #dungeonsanddragons #characterart #characterartwork #fantasynovel		geekpire_official		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/geekpire_official	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436618	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/28/24, 8:18 PM	1731437993	1732846696		1782																										final-rest.com	Shop Now			DCO	Be Ready For This Season With Final Rest	{{product.description}}	https://final-rest.com/			1.3129480446767E+14	Final Rest	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462855160_1484367038931229_2921368040944328170_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hRkI671KIfkQ7kNvgE9DuQx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYBc0uyhujUuZ89yzEL9ypkjTgBTPyQg95SMSCgK-JHLcQ&oe=6739896A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Be ready and steady for this season with the Final Rest. Options for any situation.		Final Rest		9881	https://www.facebook.com/finalrestshootingsystems/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436322	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 4:12 AM	1731437872	1733134328		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437314	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/28/24, 9:23 PM	1731438286	1732850597		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438079522_1004130541428099_4257055039593265883_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XuBv2upBOsUQ7kNvgGKHEiJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYAn3Zrb5PeRirMgZDREPm-zJ-UGrFBMquREplXNjVt2hw&oe=6739600C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436247	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/28/24, 8:39 PM	1731437838	1732847949		1782																											Learn more			IMAGE			https://nertyh.pro/sh2tdCbf?sub_id_1=mish&sub_id_2=2377&sub_id_3=Michael&px=968166605068893&ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			3.8246145495641E+14	Michael George	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466423398_1479652962676903_142520121615052351_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7267fAnVv8IQ7kNvgFQiMt6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqghkFKJjI1lwMt7XySTC_F&oh=00_AYA-5lf7fMoV3yyqKsCdCTB0FmKIcIWku5oXM4AKBhauDg&oe=67398BCA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Don't buy the crossbow from any TenPoint store! Here's why... My brother works at TenPoint and told me that most people don't know that if they take a quick survey, they can get the Nitro505 crossbow almost for free! I've already tried it and got my Nitro, check out the photo — it’s really cool and powerful! I'll leave the link to the survey in the comments, it takes you to a page where you can fill it out. It only takes 30 seconds. I don't think this offer will last long, so don't wait! Complete the survey now and get your crossbow. Make sure to repost or share with friends!		Michael George		3	https://www.facebook.com/61564617782062/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436493	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/29/24, 3:24 AM	1731437945	1732872286		1782																										appraisalm.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		http://appraisalm.com/products/sunglasses-4-3			1.1520123815761E+14	Appraisalm	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464911681_914811180060060_823907700870761305_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wgEgUDULg_QQ7kNvgGrY70K&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYCxAiHVvQQtFxe0_wQZtgsHk70HKW128a8pxab60k9rMg&oe=67397589	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Appraisalm		208	https://www.facebook.com/100090392443780/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437323	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/2/24, 4:37 AM	1731438291	1733135852		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/437558368_443826584806864_9103482045185981500_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R6nwDZBqPl4Q7kNvgF2k1YN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYBmtVvXx6ZUwuIIXfLudoemdUO7cYiwFVRCgoOvBugRNw&oe=673992F1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436375	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/28/24, 11:04 PM	1731437895	1732856694		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436841	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 1:21 AM	1731438092	1732864906		1782																										www.deflctrpy.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🎁Today 49% OFF🎁--Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://www.deflctrpy.com/products/sunglasses			2.7495767236609E+14	Deflctrpy	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452061782_2837227293095683_5200345746192493239_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QIm0qf-WfHQQ7kNvgHEheyr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYBCFzOPQjGrqSw1A-hjfJ1-BDnsdPKN6zV9Rt0QTiqcvw&oe=673965B3	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😎These bluetooth sunglasses are so cool! 🎶You can listen to music and answer phone calls without wearing earbuds! 🔊Theres no visual speaker on it. ⚡The gold part you see id how they charge. Buy here：https://t.site/4f8KLj3				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437528	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/29/24, 2:56 AM	1731438372	1732870618		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437316	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/29/24, 1:39 AM	1731438287	1732865945		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435690837_399041509643910_958789851874072726_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vSw6TL7eOh4Q7kNvgGOZ_sS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYCKXcyaLGSz2rvF2T6svRw35EHFJpbLjRx34y6nK30-wg&oe=67398ED4	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437454	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/29/24, 2:58 AM	1731438348	1732870728		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436899	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 2:59 AM	1731438115	1732870772		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437177	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	11/28/24, 10:40 PM	1731438230	1732855240		1782																										thedauos.com	Shop now			VIDEO	🔥 Limited Time Offer		https://thedauos.com/products/dauos-sling-hook			1.0708980249233E+14	Dauos	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/448263450_474944971579362_5518966734494899901_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QlCYCoibvF8Q7kNvgEUKWTf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYDbkek-ATm44pnvbe-Wb1_uKpbt90lC5ysNX5vLpLoNFA&oe=673989C5	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		🌿 Unleash Your Hunting Potential with the Dauos Sling Hook! 🦌 Say goodbye to restrictions and hello to freedom with our revolutionary sling catch! Designed for hunters, adventurers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the Dauos Sling Hook ensures your gear stays secure and your hands remain free for the thrill of the hunt. ✅ Secure Your Gear: Keep your rifle, bow, crossbow, or camera readily accessible while hiking rugged terrain or crossing streams with ease. ✅ Unmatched Versatility: Compatible with any sling up to 5/8" thick and adaptable to any pack strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is the ultimate solution for hunters of all disciplines. ✅ Quick and Easy Installation: No assembly required - simply attach to your favorite pack shoulder strap, trim to fit, and you're ready for action. ✅ Comfort and Reliability: Engineered for maximum comfort with specialized features to ensure a secure grip on your shoulder strap, the Dauos Sling Hook is your trusted companion on every adventure. Experience the difference today! Order your Dauos Sling Hook and elevate your hunting experience to new heights. 🌟 Get Yours Now and Embrace the Freedom of Unrestricted Exploration! 🔥 https://thedauos.com/slinghook				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436783	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 3:18 AM	1731438067	1732871921		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436892	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 12:22 AM	1731438114	1732861369		1782																										panoog.shop	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	🔥Fast delivery 3-5 days	😈Let's Fight💪	https://www.panoog.shop/collections/dwarven-forge?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{adset.id}}&utm_term={{ad.id}}			3.5107949476302E+14	Panoog-JP	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454029151_1154842695605385_1704299020019592514_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RaA6ZzqKaXAQ7kNvgECpbxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYDqkhxS6uFWjprBP6YzlijLfggpH5JNl3p8ID8AlL8BfQ&oe=67395DA7	REGULAR_PAGE	0					0		😈Let's Fight💪				0		0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436696	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/2/24, 4:35 AM	1731438029	1733135713		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-7			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459417921_905469544730378_1929262347875626028_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jjvWUelf-p8Q7kNvgEpGuh2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYBKVhe6sE55uF8LsPSTc-GMno_Um9SSoB28pKN-vTYE0A&oe=6739820F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436777	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	5/15/25, 9:49 PM	1731438064	1747363747		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457279845_2183115665380988_6804128496215210329_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YIQzCgUCSpwQ7kNvgHEgsnW&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYAIDIN3xJsnEys299a7e7r7TaSVen1rVwJtiE9L0W2PSw&oe=6739801D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437304	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	11/29/24, 1:08 PM	1731438282	1732907293		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439137083_705875514848972_1521927203609273452_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jQad3Awl-X4Q7kNvgFLk0VC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYC-izOxhKeo29DUqQgTrHFHu-Acedh3Fm7d8-qPZwuGxA&oe=67397FA0	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437385	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	11/29/24, 11:20 AM	1731438320	1732900813		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436118102_3588457931415580_2197013368018586215_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=x7XRRcQEE98Q7kNvgG22AmU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD0NWuUNer6Jd7xUGRYMCOKvOSLiEKkqT3A54ySibrdiA&oe=67397EAA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436456	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	11/29/24, 10:15 AM	1731437929	1732896905		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Brand new for 2024 these shawl vests are hand made from start to finish.	{{product.description}}	https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464974574_1641279966426053_8672094697025660444_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iAPDKuUpbQQQ7kNvgFkd50T&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDFywRFojS-4CG_ZlDYMteJt_UiDA2drY-UBTJbJIcFuQ&oe=67396753	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436758	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/29/24, 10:17 AM	1731438057	1732897042		1782																										mobilizek.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://mobilizek.com/products/sunglasses-4-1			1.2716617028503E+14	Mobilizek.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458363290_1460903587947944_2225573651757744450_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=jHezqnGNtHwQ7kNvgFR5c_u&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYA3DCqgwllM5eo5Y3DSHDSt8ak02tVFrBf91wj11fuklA&oe=67397034	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Mobilizek.com		304	https://www.facebook.com/100089564721179/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436846	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	11/29/24, 10:21 AM	1731438094	1732897285		1782																										courtesyi.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://courtesyi.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.0301529943940E+14	Courtesyi	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455738247_1039104701173750_2491543370879201466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TPV4RiM3CyEQ7kNvgF_r2DE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYCng6QpyQSZFl6HCH5Qn9xTe2Kt1jaDTyzKloWTJ70jWA&oe=673969CA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Courtesyi		226	https://www.facebook.com/100091822629884/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437605	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	11/29/24, 7:37 AM	1731438392	1732887471		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1084930849			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433129755_7585680791488663_4041320278312419263_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qUjh-RSTvbkQ7kNvgG6pCUN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYCcTmcfvXcLRxy3MX3MDr6Kko1TbNS8vmHor6nrrlL6rg&oe=673977A2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436717	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	11/29/24, 7:49 AM	1731438038	1732888188		1782																										accubow.com	Shop Now			CAROUSEL	Scope-to-Phone Crosshair Sight		https://accubow.com/			8.9258840111673E+14	Practice Anywhere	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459251626_1957115211401074_1575064173654771531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p8u9zo1RqMMQ7kNvgGOFW12&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDA_ZrraEQsFyuWXgj2gEIXwfcrUYoq4N61T5iTZn3ebA&oe=6739838C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Practice Anywhere		9825	https://www.facebook.com/practiceanywherenow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436533	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/29/24, 10:55 AM	1731437959	1732899317		1782																											Send Message			CAROUSEL	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD					2.8157480522825E+14	Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464623278_579497494739520_5773825510366516213_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PaW78SwuL9wQ7kNvgGNV1Us&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBApPxNuixG_tRD_5TbErYuD8D42IfVnO1SXG-byAl1mA&oe=67395E88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				Brushy Fork Outfitters, LTD		22676	https://www.facebook.com/brushyforkoutfitters/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436632	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	11/29/24, 2:54 PM	1731437998	1732913659		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An epic war between dragonriders and gods...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462473846_1260963445329346_3125959637818395461_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=58NDO0lKjoYQ7kNvgGpEqQT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYCxIqpTLinIfuTdXgnGY0RcWDFsLFf5KVJ_ceXDe4GYJQ&oe=673987C5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The battle boomed around us in a dark, deadly symphony. I took to my dragon’s saddle with my blade still gripped in one hand. Working my feet down into the deep leather pockets on either side of Blite’s strong neck, I slipped my sword back into its sheath and reached for the saddle handles. I just prayed we weren’t too late. My commander, Jaevid, and his dragon still flew in the lead. His massive blue drake, a temperamental monster he’d named Mavrik, gave a rallying cry like a roll of thunder. It made my dragon’s hide shiver. My heart beat like a war hammer in my chest as we veered in perfect formation over the sea of dark armor and war machines still churning below. Lines of dragonfire still burned high, but even as hard as we had fought so far, it didn’t look like we had made much of a dent in our enemy’s ranks. Curse it. No time to let up now. I spotted more allies, dragonriders flying in groups of three, approaching. Heh. Well, that made two formations. Good odds for any dragonrider. And we had trained nonstop for years for this very moment. “We are going to carve a path for the airship to descend and pick up our allies in the courtyard,” Jaevid communicated back, using the dragonrider code of hand signals. “Primary targets are ground war machines. Make it hurt.” I signaled my agreement. Squeezing my legs tighter to Blite’s side, I twisted the saddle handles to send him signals, steering in perfect synchronization with Jaevid’s dragon, Mavrik, to begin our assault run. The commander must have had some sort of exchange about this already with the other riders because they immediately led their two wingends on a similar pass coming in the opposite direction so we would cross midway over the battlefield. Excellent. Blite snapped his wings in tight as we dove down, falling like a flock of speeding falcons, and zoomed over the advancing line of enemy war machines. Catapults burned. Trebuchets toppled as their ropes and cables snapped. Soldiers ran like scared cockroaches. War beasts bucked and tried to flee, their saddles and armor already ablaze. Only a few enemy soldiers even dared fire at us, using everything they had. Arrows and crossbow bolts zipped past, a few even pinging off Blite’s armored chest. Fortunately, none seemed to pierce his scaly hide, and he slicked his little ears back and hissed in defiance as we broke skyward again. Suddenly, Mavrik let out a roar of alarm as a huge net made of thick metal cables whipped through the air, heading straight for us. He shot upward with one beat of his mighty wings. Blite saw it, too ... A second too late. Oh gods, it was going to hit us! I cringed, bracing for impact. With a defiant roar, a huge blue-scaled blur flashed between the incoming net and us, so fast I had no time to react. Mavrik screeched in rage as the net wrapped around one of his wings and hind legs, tangling immediately with weighed ends spinning and wrapping around him. Wh-What? He’d intentionally taken that hit? For me?! The king drake fell, roaring and still beating his one free wing, as he plummeted from the sky straight down toward the roiling mass of enemy soldiers below. He would hit hard. He’d land right in the middle of a block of enemy soldiers. NO! Slamming my hands against the saddle handles, I yelled a curse and ordered Blite to dive after him. I had to do something—I had to save my commander. Even if it meant paying the ultimate price … Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436291	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	11/30/24, 7:07 PM	1731437860	1733015255		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436428	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/1/24, 1:08 AM	1731437919	1733036888		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436326	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/1/24, 1:09 AM	1731437873	1733036957		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437401	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/1/24, 4:01 PM	1731438327	1733090482		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435502558_946389883560239_8063324588779684334_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZTPbaQoL6HkQ7kNvgFitSau&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD32PrdLm3DDD8O0E01ACCh3mnqrbUGAVYA7j2xklnlxg&oe=67399288	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437470	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	4/29/25, 7:54 PM	1731438353	1745974493		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437447	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/1/24, 10:58 PM	1731438345	1733115498		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432934698_1110824366822990_7068130820373047831_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8k_h205o5XUQ7kNvgESlGuR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYB954LL3Wu9-t-InOWeqAvPSV9thudZhNw0XwWeppDAdA&oe=67397D68	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436282	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/2/24, 10:13 AM	1731437856	1733156002		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436905	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 11:57 AM	1731438118	1733162227		1782																										hellomaterials.com	Shop now			VIDEO	FREE SHIPPING + 50% OFF TODAY		https://hellomaterials.com/products/dauos-mount			1.0353853279169E+14	Thesharpevo	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454012875_1567951304123604_7221541727740905009_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yNTcAvmj6CsQ7kNvgHjGM63&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqU5JnWlEJmhokVH1uSLGwm&oh=00_AYBGspY8hFodAARubUzA2bCBm_0wOzgHiQOSMrln5U303A&oe=673976CA	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Hunters, elevate your game with this Mount! This versatile mount secures your smartphone to your rifle, crossbow, or any cylinder, allowing you to record your hunt in stunning HD. Why spend hundreds on low-quality action cameras when you can use your high-quality smartphone? ✅ Record Your Hunt: Capture every thrilling moment with ease. ✅ Track Your Hits: Instantly review your shots and make informed decisions. ✅ Stay Connected: Check messages and time without missing a beat. Inspired by a love for hunting and a passion for innovation, the Hellomaterials Mount is designed to enhance your outdoor experience. Get yours now and make every hunt unforgettable. Limited time offer: 50% off today + free shipping! Don’t miss out! https://hellomaterials.com/products/dauos-mount		Hellomaterials		814	https://www.facebook.com/100093631585838/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436828	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/2/24, 3:28 PM	1731438084	1733174892		1782																										jangebot.com	Order Now			DCO	Jangebot™ Smart Bluetooth Audio Glasses	Super SALE-60%OFF!!✨	https://www.jangebot.com/products/jangebot%E2%84%A2-smart-bluetooth-audio-glasses			1.1463944150917E+14	SuperJangebot	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456280326_1645423929646046_893105557484204534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt25yEs05AQ7kNvgGH3nIS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0CHuaj1974IHx7Xgb0P5gbX1bLkuugodtP650VPth8g&oe=67397EB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"The glasses have a pretty sleek design I noticed that they are durable at the front the polarized lenses look great the sound quality is pretty good allowing you to stay sware of your surroundings it's a great feature for outdoor activities also you can awser calls without having to grab your phone. The battery life isn't bad for this product it can last you a good few hours the controls are pretty great they are simple and convenient overall I'd say this product is great for the price."--B E. Hurry up and get for you or a gift for your family or friends here👉https://shorturl.at/Eu9jv		SuperJangebot		10	https://www.facebook.com/100089362984665/	0		ORDER_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436560	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/2/24, 5:38 PM	1731437970	1733182685		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464219638_805086751628867_4995646848148093088_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-Th-tEsEiuwQ7kNvgE9_otP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCXAvG-4pSpxaLAAbLjEaUAcv3f_FKRztn6qhNiRx7d1w&oe=673990C8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		What’s it like dancing to techno with the NYC skyline in the background? It’s a mood🌙✨Also…I definitely knew the lyrics to this track by the fantastic @djbelocca😉😆Who was at this party? Event by @entergrayarea with @bart_skils for his drumcode tour at @superioringredients Video by the super talented @m0ephoto ⁣ #technomusic #drumcode #technoparty #technoconnectingpeople #technodj #technogirl #djsofinstagram #rave #techno #djs #technoculture #raveculture		Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436753	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/2/24, 9:49 PM	1731438054	1733197796		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458483509_2217549898607558_7544470425983782006_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rltLop7fFlUQ7kNvgEN4bUR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYCKdRBRHALOvTRUStSo65L7Zh-0b51e6TNdiAirF3lzsw&oe=67396ACF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436844	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	5/30/25, 1:08 AM	1731438093	1748585289		1782																										landing.aoemobile.com	Learn more			VIDEO	A must-play for strategy buffs	Pre-register now	https://landing.aoemobile.com/v1/app-landing/index.html?o2_id=184&container_id=GTM-W8GWCMMF			1.0836090207899E+14	Age of Empires Mobile	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455139184_344556171944914_2793562288037142286_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zbr8MxdXU78Q7kNvgGLN9jg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYAVGGHmfBlVNyy32FFEkvYS9BsAi6mQ1RTS9IIdwLlhqw&oe=67397AC7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The game is launching soon! Pre-register now and get ready to depart😎		Age of Empires Mobile		215724	https://www.facebook.com/aoemobile/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437682	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 7:17 AM	1731438415	1733231830		1782																										itunes.apple.com	Play game			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1084930849			2.1731699862774E+14	Frost & Flame：King of Avalon	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432162566_1157952788907286_7796736370592406881_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZK9qczTSZmUQ7kNvgHlQPTS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYBjeLZe4mX3CClyVHBqE2_y7pMwOLvBcZSK411yiyO0yA&oe=67395E2A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		That Game Everyone's Playing! Join Now!		Frost & Flame：King of Avalon		1214695	https://www.facebook.com/koadw/	0		PLAY_GAME								View Edit Delete
2436554	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 7:53 AM	1731437967	1733233997		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An ex-assassin must fight to become a dragonrider...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464215341_522809400568668_5215814065867642377_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7UOO36hZT18Q7kNvgFihZTR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYDcV2a-jVWSgbU5VfhkpF44Qu1mhtQ2DV7a7d2ETpJwXg&oe=67396161	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … For more high-stakes action with a touch of clean romance: Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436692	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/3/24, 11:49 AM	1731438028	1733248198		1782																										excellentk.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Wireless Headphone Sunglasses		https://excellentk.com/products/sunglasses-4-4			1.0750999898408E+14	Excellentk/3	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459462259_3416263648518706_4211854763259778003_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TtFy5Chx_2gQ7kNvgEyycvD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYCvyPcXdOjw1Gu-kjwiyTdZxKa5agRR8HONPSy37A815g&oe=673988D1	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Excellentk/3		352	https://www.facebook.com/100091803159680/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436813	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/3/24, 4:50 PM	1731438077	1733266246		1782																														VIDEO	Church Online Service | Crossway 70th Celebration					67712732119	Crossway Baptist Church	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457141218_494927143271912_5875201739190413317_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iKHLXzSVZ7wQ7kNvgHaLqgk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYCbpYDkE3oEDaMk4fDo6Zsa9GvntX5NRaOIradm5XphxQ&oe=67397221	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Church Online Service | Crossway 70th Celebration		Crossway Baptist Church		127365	https://www.facebook.com/CrosswayBaptistChurchAU/	0										View Edit Delete
2437288	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 6:28 PM	1731438276	1733272106		1782																										www.youtube.com	Sign up			VIDEO	D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 117: "That sounds like... a dragon...."		https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeT_cRiddQgjRL7PWSHqx2g?sub_confirmation=1			2.2884553439139E+14	7 Sided Die	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440238929_359895827097358_7837368262650412387_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oUTnVVo_YR4Q7kNvgHPJPXZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYByO3uylIIJ7YMc3diN3qpmztVfn7e5M3Sn_kV3IRjHYw&oe=67398B83	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		D&D Stream - 7SD Carpathian Adventure Episode 117: "That sounds like... a dragon...." D&D Live Stream Thank you for checking out 7 Sided Die (7SD)! This is one of our live streamed games! We're a group of gamers. Some of us are military, some are in construction, IT, others retail managers, a few are parents, and still others are students, etc. So, we're just everyday people who stream live strictly for fun! We hope you enjoy our stream nonetheless! We stream our some of games on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/7SidedDie, on our Twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/7SidedDie, on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/7-Sided-Die-228845534391387/ on Twitter at https://twitter.com/7_sided_Die, on our KICK page at https://kick.com/7-sided-die and occasionally on our Trovo page at https://trovo.live/s/7SidedDie/224125104. Our streams are archived indefinitely on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and as permitted by the level (Streamer, Affiliate, Partner, etc.) on Twitch, Kick and Trovo. Again, thank you for checking us out, and "Roll a 7 sided die!" '7 Sided Die is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Wizards of the Coast's Fan Content Policy is located here: https://company.wizards.com/en/legal/fancontentpolicy. Neither 7 Sided Die, the Carpathian Adventure nor any of 7 Sided Die's streams and videos are approved or endorsed by Wizards or Wizards of the Coast. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Some background music courtesy Syrinscape. ©Syrinscape. (Some) "Music and Sound by Syrinscape. "Syrinscape under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. More info here: creativecommons.org/licenses/" https://syrinscape.com/faq/ "Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound." Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/ 7SD 7SidedDie "7 Sided Die" 7_Sided_Die "Seven Sided Die" Seven_Sided_Die DnD D&D "dnd stories" "d&d stories" "dnd gameplay" "d&d gameplay" "dnd campaign" "d&d campaign" "dnd podcast" "d&d podcast" "Dungeons & Dragons" "Dungeons and Dragons" "DnD stream" "D&D stream" "DnD live stream" "D&D live stream" "Dungeons & Dragons stream" "Dungeons and Dragons stream" "D&D tips" "DnD tips" 5e "5th edition" Carpathia Carpathian "Carpathian Adventure" "Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard" GoaGG "Ximen Vall" "Ximén Vall" "Naldo Renzi" Ximén Balder "Alderic Westerbach" "Pandor Spocks" "Micolash Dolion" "Gelila Bemnet" "Borinth Ursus Spalaeus" "The Baron" "Mátyás Báthory" "Matyas Bathory" RPG "Role Playing Game" Tabletop "Table top" "Tabletop RPG" "How to play D&D" "Tom Jr" "Tom Frickanisce Jr" "Rainer Frickanisce" 7SD, 7SidedDie, 7 Sided Die, 7_Sided_Die, Seven Sided Die", Seven_Sided_Die, DnD, D&D, dnd stories, d&d stories. dnd gameplay, d&d gameplay, dnd campaign, d&d campaign, dnd podcast, d&d podcast, Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, DnD stream, D&D stream, DnD live stream, D&D live stream, Dungeons & Dragons stream, Dungeons and Dragons stream, D&D tips, DnD tips, 5e, 5th edition, Carpathia, Carpathian, Carpathian Adventure, Grumblings of a Gaming Grognard, GoaGG, Ximen Vall, Ximén Vall, Ximén, Naldo Renzi Balder, Pandora Spocks, Alderic Westerbach, Micolash Dolion, Gelila Bemnet, Borinth Ursus Spalaeus, The Baron, Mátyás Báthory, Matyas Bathory, RPG, Role Playing Game, Tabletop, Table top, Tabletop RPG, How to play D&D, Tom Jr, Tom Frickanisce Jr, Rainer Frickanisce,		7 Sided Die		486	https://www.facebook.com/100067198293097/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437387	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 6:46 PM	1731438321	1733273179		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433975828_1173307743665508_4371549750111183281_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p5XVw_XI3N8Q7kNvgHZGijH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYAs74MiuqGJ-HC_Q0AiMoUmq1VB8e4DCjU6LBHciCruIQ&oe=67395AFF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436465	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/3/24, 7:38 PM	1731437932	1733276323		1782																										shopcrossbow.com	Shop Now			DCO	Comes in bone and black. One size fits all with a flattering fit over a dress, tank top or long sleeve.		https://shopcrossbow.com/products/suede-shawl-vest			1.7680016867515E+15	Crossbow Leather & Hats	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465410708_444468704953998_8292086367911788312_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Hi31dAsk7XkQ7kNvgE6TuQj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC67F-h1AgkeBUHvQVwIF9AZL4Dyv6UiGWBaqG-TCiyEw&oe=67397FF8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Handmade in mountains of Telluride, Co.		Crossbow Leather & Hats		737	https://www.facebook.com/crossbowwestern/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437452	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 7:59 PM	1731438346	1733277558		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435365176_1815684825600496_7237409358955529173_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RUqm6MpD6OcQ7kNvgFAZ5UN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDz-zCH83Q5FwHzZo6Y95M5vgRHo-jzJ89_IhWqbEKjmw&oe=67397D15	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437389	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 8:02 PM	1731438321	1733277737		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435524241_422218897086320_8935473368581095373_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WpsKf6gD-mAQ7kNvgEZLbQO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBVk8qatv13PJ6eJL9IxeVEuYzZYEqDDnxqx8qnR1b_bg&oe=67395F7E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437469	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/3/24, 8:45 PM	1731438352	1733280316		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434887251_3273516259616813_4965928032027185860_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=CxjdtEak7g8Q7kNvgFmivCe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBjsFs25y1QWyIiUaqvrRvNAUQrFUc26SmFF8zKQCgKqA&oe=673980C2	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437580	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 8:51 PM	1731438385	1733280668		1782																										www.dealwbig.top	Learn more			VIDEO	A drop witnesses the rocket ascending – this is the best gift for yourself.🥰❤️		https://www.dealwbig.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn			2.1442965176059E+14	Cassey Edmonds World	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434061840_298553116589258_3849041646729052766_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ml88rNKcSysQ7kNvgHqjZM0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYAC_hysJ4XukUUKrMWh_VfidFpcBzLg7wZRVH1Ek8vLCw&oe=67395EE6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		A drop witnesses the rocket ascending – this is the best gift for yourself.🥰❤️ Click on the link below to receive your best gift for half price🥰❤️😍 https://www.dealwbig.top/products/dthgfgghfhfgjgjn		Cassey Edmonds World		4	https://www.facebook.com/61556118337565/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436552	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/3/24, 8:55 PM	1731437966	1733280905		1782																										amazon.com	Download			IMAGE	An ex-assassin must fight to become a dragonrider...	Hunter (The Dragonrider Heritage Book 1)	https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0897VY7MT			1.5442025058886E+15	Nicole Conway	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464462143_434268499342797_3098952864496206891_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GPSa5qXB_m4Q7kNvgFE-Csa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYBr2YTxxjE21hG62de5u2b9BeffTkCW5ocB1l6U03cdXg&oe=67399164	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		This is where I would die—by the blade of those who had created me. “H-Hurry up and do it!” I spat, tasting blood in my mouth with every halting, broken word. "KILL ME!" I squinted up at the nearest of my former comrades. Even with his cowl up and his face smeared with a swipe of black paint to hide his features, I could see his eyes studying me. Like he was trying to make up his mind to attack or not. Maybe he thought this was a ruse. A trick to get him to drop his guard. His gaze narrowed, grip tightening on the scimitar he carried. He took a step toward me. A sound ripped through the night, making us all pause. Something boomed through the dark. The low, rhythmic thump—thump—thump of mighty wing beats coming closer. Massive. Powerful. Was that … a dragon? I couldn’t get up or move except to roll onto my back. The rain stung at my face and forced me to close my eyes. But I could still hear the thundering of a mighty roar in the air. The earth flinched under my back as the dragon landed. Its angry snarl, and the sudden WHOOSH of roaring flames when it breathed fire, drowned out the storm. The few remaining assassins screamed in terror. Their footsteps sloshed and slurped in the mud as they fled past me. The twang of crossbow fire made the beast bellow again, and another burst of flame exploded into the night so close I could feel the heat against my cheek. Then it all went completely silent. The shouting. The dragon’s roaring. Even the rain seemed to have stopped stinging at my face as I lay there, shaking in the cold mud. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open … … and stared straight into the face of a dragon I didn’t recognize. Crouched down low, the beast’s wings shielded me from the storm as it craned its large head down and sniffed at my face. Blasts of hot breath stirred in my wet hair and it snuffled all over my head and chest, bumping me with the end of its short, black-and-red-scaled snout. Its scaly ears perked and swiveled as it made low, almost worried murring sounds. W-What? What was this? Who was this creature? And where was its rider? I kept waiting for someone to appear, a dragonrider in shining armor to clean up any remaining assassins that hadn’t already fled. But no one came. Squinting up at the dragon’s back, I couldn’t see that it was even wearing a saddle. A wild dragon, then? No. That didn’t make sense. Wild dragons didn’t act this way. They avoided people whenever they could. They certainly didn’t seek them out in the throes of battle and … save them. I mean, not outside of old tales and stories, that is. The beast blinked its large blue eyes, tilting its head to the side. It bumped me with its nose again, as though coaxing me to move. I couldn’t. Not much, anyway. Not enough to stand. It took everything I had, every last shred of strength, to reach a shaking hand up and touch the dragon’s snout. Those warm, smooth scales slid under my palm like soft, worn leather. Heh. That still caught me by surprise every time. I’d always imagined they’d be rough and cold to the touch. The dragon made curious popping and chirping sounds in its throat as I ran my fingers over the ridge of black horns that began at the tip of its nose. They were a stark contrast to the red stripe that ran down its head like a blaze. Larger black horns jutted back like obsidian spikes from over its small, scaly ears. But from where I lay, I couldn’t see much else about it. Not that it mattered. It wasn’t like this was my dragon. Any second now, its rider would show up. Maybe they just hadn’t had the time to put their saddle on before taking off to our aid? “T-Thank you,” I managed hoarsely before my arm dropped back to my side. The dragon gave a disapproving, almost panicked bark. It bumped my chest with its nose again, nipping at the front of my blood and rain-drenched tunic. But I couldn’t respond. Not this time. My head slumped to the side as everything around me seemed to fade to blurred shades of gray. I … I couldn’t do this much longer. Every second, every heartbeat, brought me closer to the end. The edges of my vision began to grow dim. I couldn’t hang on. No matter how much I wanted to. Not even when my end would put all of my friends—the woman I loved—in lethal danger … For more high-stakes action with a touch of clean romance: Continue reading the Dragonrider Heritage Series by Nicole Conway for FREE with Kindle Unlimited by clicking the DOWNLOAD button today!		Nicole Conway		1090	https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleConway/	0		DOWNLOAD								View Edit Delete
2436349	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/3/24, 9:15 PM	1731437882	1733282118		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						1.0181225190061E+14	Old Oaks Outdoors	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465714008_1584597329598878_7570520872869598355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=087rMQaBwZ8Q7kNvgFLckaX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYDVy0172uG5Pr-CnqUnUa7qtIZU1dvSf2QSH8F8jEx3fQ&oe=67398049	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		❗️ATTN❗️ The support for our Old Oaks Outdoors Platinum Membership has been outstanding! And the request for a crossbow program as been unbelievable- We had to bring a crossbow membership program to our customers! And it’s here! We’re so excited to continue to grow and offer NEW features to our membership program. Now enjoy great benefits and shoot a Tenpoint or Ravin within our program. Thank you for the outstanding support! Learn more at www.OldOaksOutdoors.com/membership		Old Oaks Outdoors		4921	https://www.facebook.com/oldoaksoutdoors/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2437567	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/3/24, 9:15 PM	1731438383	1733282146		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433684869_457092449981648_3407831440630043047_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=IR2yM1syFPgQ7kNvgFYA34a&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AqzeOpCRtISljwf7UikKx3u&oh=00_AYDAY2AGn3k2BCjKquvFfqkHwb9GNOfP6l326d66svkc3w&oe=6739811C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437290	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/3/24, 11:07 PM	1731438276	1733288869		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	Play for FREE!		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funplus.kingofavalon			1.7731758212558E+14	Mobile Game Mania	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438773706_1140179577008459_4614785664353617785_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ypFpnLtJoFcQ7kNvgFTJKUe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYDFdE-Lqb7xvVOMFmvaY7yvmMqzFUinIW-iSkFg7d9FBw&oe=67399052	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Why is this game so fun?! Play Now!		Mobile Game Mania		347	https://www.facebook.com/61553758222172/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437338	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 12:40 AM	1731438296	1733294428		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435696930_2201225726883649_3933890725883325637_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QO34ukDOWlQQ7kNvgEB3seT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYDplFLuBwoTyWaczTYJMS2ZIzH6g3F-ZEbkTMg3I1v2ZQ&oe=67398A1F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2437053	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 6:41 AM	1731438176	1733316118		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=7idbm8zhk5xd7nm03d2c&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3763751610825E+14	Crossbows For you	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450936661_988432079740427_3439904609794181092_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JfVgjOLc4RgQ7kNvgEPpRAV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDmLCpOkHd7zEZFIznWNGNZo8sskHFzLeD41uSEE4nX8g&oe=67395E83	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/yn8yutf5		Crossbows For you		12	https://www.facebook.com/61561662806429/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436311	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 6:45 AM	1731437867	1733316320		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465677675_554159453916726_4731001010959523508_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NhpFJXwpDaMQ7kNvgFd5-wt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCSFP_1TrfmLoPsb4RbFeSrw4ppmlos5DWvwrJzZFqVig&oe=67397759	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436745	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 3:31 AM	1731438051	1733304714		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458425719_2083933538670390_1441530602039580268_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HwByJzSUI5UQ7kNvgFPVzc-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYBt-5pZiJckFHpU4zyLnISL0Mbkyum_opiqolspGWASXA&oe=67398FE5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437431	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/4/24, 3:44 AM	1731438338	1733305484		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435982833_948405769827285_6761553779600405763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=psqhtNcGYwcQ7kNvgFN77zs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDYVD8ePm1coo2q6-LV4EDALKI9mK7EWzrEUGnsTmeD0w&oe=67395CB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436295	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 6:42 AM	1731437861	1733316128		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437312	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 5:19 AM	1731438285	1733311199		1782																										play.google.com	Install now			VIDEO	HOT BOOK✨Tap the button to read more👉		http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adoread.book			2.3525429634434E+14	Adoread Romance story	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436467552_1117062669506994_8319354685671361670_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xrKMIJZxAcoQ7kNvgG52lWj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ad8WFS3P2tzPTg6u3rz7YS4&oh=00_AYBknfOa7EpyfWD618cGOTxdRaHjj0etopBxeZc03054wA&oe=67398F19	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 "Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turning colder, "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice. "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like crying at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients. "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When did he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This girl named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and life-threatening situations together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry.		Adoread Romance story		396	https://www.facebook.com/61557113391558/	0		INSTALL_MOBILE_APP								View Edit Delete
2436815	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 5:30 AM	1731438077	1733311822		1782																										www.arbitrbilogy.com	Shop now			VIDEO	49.9%🔥Sale Ending Soon! 🚀	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 Reviews	https://www.arbitrbilogy.com/products/sunglasses-3			4.2126494772701E+14	Arbitrbilogy.SA	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456514778_8110326112408340_8842775806298483015_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gGzOO6xBmfsQ7kNvgGEsZN-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYC83z_AKm0XWMMNehDF49VszucgoZZ1C1kmF-oJeZT05g&oe=67395DF6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶2024 new bluetooth glasses make a grand debut! 😎Wireless Bluetooth connection,,allowing you to enjoy a free and unfettered world of music! Fashionable design, comfortable to wear.✨		Arbitrbilogy.SA		192	https://www.facebook.com/61563976135795/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436285	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 7:18 AM	1731437858	1733318332		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436491	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 7:20 AM	1731437944	1733318424		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465234524_1290560959055258_3455762459351439729_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=v1Yi94p4x6IQ7kNvgHeHskn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYDr8XOiZARsUQxooDQE40XuMmpC2h_vMQtm6ZHsYQOdOw&oe=67396CF4	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Who busts out the techno stank face when they DJ? Me apparently😅but idk, I guess it’s🤷a mood? I’ve been obsessed with this song lately; Stand by @victorruizdj & @wehbba out to @volta_records. What tracks have you guys been playing as often as you can lately? Drop in the comments below! Video by @josefff_g and the party was @entergrayarea at @superioringredients ⁣ #djs #djsofinstagram #pioneerdj #rave #raveculture #techno #technoculture #technodj #technogirl #technomusic #technoparty #undergroundtechno		Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436341	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 10:37 AM	1731437878	1733330221		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465887593_1276920366985089_184590751277020541_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sNjZsVBgSWgQ7kNvgHITqXz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBfQ7gxFpJTAtjL7Nxsdzvjz5kbpv5mWlQPXqaQf9GSog&oe=67396989	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436923	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 7:44 AM	1731438125	1733319877		1782																											Send message			IMAGE						1.0968931556752E+14	Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453383422_3825898144403281_2554815766225915355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uXrUV3lNxQAQ7kNvgHrv3ZC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AxYOpBVCPLdKnGHY2RuAABV&oh=00_AYDJV2g2TEtUxLwPnNn7jW5VzpgyfIfmHc4j8Xr2q9HCeg&oe=673984A5	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Silver crossbow holder On the front and sides of the Bronze Chariot No.1, there are two side-by-side silver crossbow holder parts welded like a goose neck with an angular head, with the notch of this part containing the handle of the crossbow, the arm placed diagonally in the front mask in front of the crossbow, and the back end of the arm placed in the crossbow. There are two functions, one is to open the crossbow, and the other is to support the crossbow when it is not in use. #Bronze		Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum		98909	https://www.facebook.com/EmperorQinshihuangMausoleumSiteMuseum/	0		MESSAGE_PAGE								View Edit Delete
2436267	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 8:19 AM	1731437848	1733321975		1782																										noirblancnyc.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Purchase any bag and get 2 FREE straps - 50% OFF ✨👌TODAY!	🚚 Free shipping on All Orders 📋 Free 30 day returns 💵 365 day warranty	https://noirblancnyc.com/products/noir-blanc-leather-crossbody-bag?variant=45283449241830			4.2105781442165E+14	Noir & Blanc NYC	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462261247_915555233953623_3747361030708773379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xuqJoy0hcdIQ7kNvgEKXBMu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYDX8wuajms1Zcc26OQ_GtufWO1GZ5McWkos5IxwVjjsqw&oe=6739636C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🎁 The Ultimate Gift Idea! 🎁 Looking for the perfect gift? Buy any bag and get 2 FREE straps – saving you over 50%! Thousands of happy customers are loving our stylish, versatile bags. Don’t miss out – give the gift that keeps on giving! 🎒✨ Shop now at 50% OFF and spread the joy! 🎁		Noir & Blanc NYC		33	https://www.facebook.com/noirblancnyc/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436572	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 10:05 AM	1731437975	1733328350		1782																											Learn more			IMAGE			https://www.merrithew.com/blog/post/2024-10-07/expand-your-expertise-two-exercises-you-can-perform-using-the-cross-bow-handles-for-the-stability-chair			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463910568_497861793215251_5522261534366085682_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Ady9nZN55wQ7kNvgGNVnOL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYAi7hU7Uug9tYN25RIzZliS2cJfZGEy2mItX2kHa0993A&oe=67397835	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Discover two game-changing exercises you can perform using the new Cross-Bow™ Handles for the Stability Chair™. These innovative handles open up a world of possibilities to diversify your workouts and keep your clients engaged. Integrating cutting-edge Pilates equipment like Merrithew®’s Cross-Bow Handles can truly set you apart in today’s competitive market! At the upcoming Merrithew Mindful Movement Symposium, UK, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in two new workshops featuring this exciting product, along with the latest advancements in Pilates. Head to the blog to dive deeper into the benefits and techniques! Click here: https://bit.ly/3BJhfBh		Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436950	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/4/24, 10:11 AM	1731438137	1733328660		1782																										www.mlionaiwte.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://www.mlionaiwte.com/products/sunglasses			2.6651111654278E+14	Mlionaiwte	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452347932_884067790222400_6564083781076487711_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2bkUM7Sx2S0Q7kNvgEyoDml&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ATkRHHta2XwZHfrcUYZebXI&oh=00_AYA7k8n-y66aYyFfXCA_q4IzrO6dwSBhnfZZmHFZEanDMA&oe=67397819	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🤩That's so cool!!!!! These smart sunglasses y actually function really well.. i have no complaints.. one thing i did discover today though is you can actually turn one side off and leave the other side on, they work independent of each other 🥳Sunglasses that you can listen to music through, talk through and photograph with . 💥50% off on Prime Day now💥Get yours: https://www.mlionaiwte.com/products/sunglasses		Mlionaiwte		299	https://www.facebook.com/61557203379052/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436423	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/4/24, 12:05 PM	1731437916	1733335517		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464913647_2570439966481485_4190201205945144983_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=YJPXSX6tFwcQ7kNvgGKCW9x&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYBerzJ99GcYo9fMXcuO-WAOUc4lncJMWhBRJb1IfofsqQ&oe=67397236	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 📜 They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world. The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436547	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 2:59 PM	1731437965	1733345975		1782																										accubow.com	Shop now			VIDEO	BACK IN STOCK | Immersive Virtual Bow Hunting	Free Shipping	https://accubow.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&utm_term=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&utm_content=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&fbadid=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D			1.0561733744456E+15	AccuBow	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464315781_884874073616609_4545038220594602038_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dfFXk9mdlHsQ7kNvgGg22Nw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AtjVzHEbpEZ72k-cNVKi4u2&oh=00_AYAJxXeKgjrPpcNnRe6pNCKO51rLkUxKKolx9yZCLuOJdA&oe=67396754	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ever heard of Virtual Archery? Meet the AccuBow! 🏹 The world's first ever Virtual Bowhunting game. With over 25+ game modes to choose from, you can engage in realistic simulation and fun practice from the comfort of your living room. Just download the app, attach your phone, and start hunting. See for yourself why the AccuBow is a “must have” for archers and bowhunters of all ages!		AccuBow		24568	https://www.facebook.com/accubow/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437406	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/4/24, 3:43 PM	1731438328	1733348625		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.274763204379E+14	Joylit Novel	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435906348_903689698108156_704486821177568529_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6mNuvSyZyt8Q7kNvgG6SFKS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBJxOwokNaFVFl0_UnvJjhLMpZ37UnxS__YE2Xk6psirg&oe=673986B3	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Joylit Novel		515	https://www.facebook.com/61550512629703/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437310	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 4:44 PM	1731438285	1733352289		1782																										client.adoread.com	Learn more			IMAGE	🔥🔥🔥 Read More👉	Hottest novel👉👉👉	https://client.adoread.com/book/loading/page/adoread/19161308412?utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_content={{campaign.name}}			2.261776805786E+14	Adoread	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438162152_827264979441253_8630164044163185256_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OXRpRVMh8VUQ7kNvgHbQROe&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AcM-ygc3rNemiF-hdRIFlax&oh=00_AYDkF8QAwX8ROFfKlc7t16CO4o1aqeYI3ipSoEjPSZV9wA&oe=6739852E	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"Wesley, are you trying to harm me? You useless piece of trash, can't even make a decent cup of coffee, can you?" Madison Blair lifted her coffee cup and splashed it directly onto Wesley Harrington's face. "What are you looking at, you spineless waste? Your name sounds so lofty? I might as well call you a waste." Glancing at the grotesque expression of his wife's mother, Wesley pulled out his phone to check the time. Exactly twelve o'clock. It had been five full years since he married Taylor Reed. The appointed time had come. He had fulfilled his promise, safeguarding the Reed family for five years, transforming them from a family living off fishing to one perceived as affluent by the common folk. Wiping the coffee off his face, he turned and walked away. "Where do you think you're going? Go fetch some more coffee," Madison shouted. "Madison, didn't you say this waste is obedient at home, doing whatever he's told? I don't think he's taking it lying down." Madison grew angrier. "Wesley, you stop right there. My family has fed and housed you. If you dare disobey, I'll have you thrown out!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued downstairs. "When Taylor comes back, I'll immediately have you two divorced. Do you hear me? Stay right there," Madison threatened, "I'll let you know your place today." Grabbing a golf club, Madison swiftly charged towards Wesley. Seeing Wesley heading downstairs, she swung the club viciously at his back. Without turning back, Wesley gently sidestepped. Losing her balance, Madison tumbled forward, rolling down the stairs with a series of thumps. "Ouch... it hurts, it hurts so much!" As Madison reached the ground floor, she wailed in pain and her sister immediately rushed to her. "Wesley, what have you done? How dare you hit my sister!" Madison's sister hurried down, checking on Madison's condition. Wesley remained silent, observing the scene. "Quick, call Taylor. Tell her to come back. Today, she must divorce this waste." Madison glared at Wesley. "How dare you hit me? Not only will I let Taylor divorce you, but I'll make sure you leave in disgrace." "Mum, what's wrong?" At that moment, a gent and a lady walked in. The lady was Taylor, Madison's daughter. She ran towards Madison. As Madison pointed at Wesley, tears streamed down her face. "Taylor, he hit me, he hit me! When you're not home, he changes his attitude, scolding and hitting me in the slightest displeasure. He even pushed me down the stairs just now. Alexis can testify." Madison's sister, Alexis Blair, chimed in. "Yes, Wesley, this trash not only hit your mother but also threatened to hit me too. We cannot tolerate such trash." "Taylor, I have been telling you to divorce him for years. You've been supporting him, treating him like a Lord at home, but he's an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing." Helping Madison up, Taylor noticed the scrapes on Madison's arms and legs, her expression turning cold. "Wesley, why did you hit my mother? You better give me an explanation." Wesley looked at Taylor, his wife. Five years had passed, and she had never shown him kindness. Taylor dressed impeccably, a paragon of a successful lady, with a face that could be deemed angelic, yet whether her heart was as angelic remained a mystery. Her figure, too, left countless men yearning. For five years, Wesley had thought he might develop feelings for this lady, but in reality, it never happened. "There are surveillance cameras in the house," Wesley stated calmly before descending the stairs into the hallway. Despite residing in a three-story villa, Wesley's living quarters were confined to the stairwell. He harbored no resentment towards this arrangement. It was merely a promise. It was just that Taylor failed to appreciate him. This home held little value that he wished to cling onto. Retrieving a wooden box from beneath his pillow, Wesley extracted two documents. Casting a fleeting glance at the modest abode he had called home for five years, Wesley smiled faintly. He thought, "Finally... I'm free." Pushing the door ajar, Wesley was met by Taylor's piercing gaze. "I've reviewed the surveillance footage. Yes, my mother intended to strike you, but even if she did, what difference would it make?" "She's a lady. How much could her blows hurt you? Why did you dodge?" "If you hadn't dodged, my mother wouldn't have tumbled down." Wesley stared at Taylor, unable to comprehend her thought process. He had no interest in engaging in these arguments. Handing over the two documents to Taylor, he remarked, "The divorce agreement. I've already signed it. Take a look. I'm leaving with nothing." "With your current influence, there's no need for you to visit the city hall. Someone will handle it for you, right?" Madison was taken aback. She swiftly snatched the divorce agreement, flipping through it hastily. The contents were indeed straightforward. Both parties willingly divorced, with Wesley relinquishing all claims and having already signed. In an instant, Madison's pain seemed to dissipate. "Taylor, sign it quickly. Sign it." Taylor was still in a daze. She pondered. "A divorce agreement? Wesley has already prepared a divorce agreement. On what grounds?" "What gives him the right to initiate a divorce? All these years, he's done nothing at home, lacking any ambition. Always practicing martial arts, what right does he have to seek a divorce?" "If anyone should initiate it, it should be me. Moreover, now that I'm back to discussing this matter with him. Could it be that word got out, and Wesley, for the sake of his pride, rushed to prepare a divorce agreement first?" "It must be so, but... No!" "Wanting to leave with nothing, is he retreating to advance? As the chairman of the Reed Group, how could I be served with a divorce?" "Hey Wesley, I never expected this from you. Have I not treated you well enough? You seek a divorce, attempting to turn your retreat into advance, aiming to embarrass me?" Taylor glared at Wesley. "I'm telling you, it's impossible." Snatching the divorce agreement, she tore it to shreds. "Taylor, what are you doing? Such a great opportunity. Why not just sign it and let him leave?" Madison grew anxious. "Mom, I do intend to divorce this trash, but the decision must come from me. I returned specifically to address this matter." With that, Taylor produced two documents. "Wesley, remember that it's me who's divorcing you. It's me who no longer wants you. Initially, out of marital obligation, I had considered offering you some compensation. Now, you don't even need to think about it. Sign the divorce agreement and leave my home." Wesley offered a faint smile as he accepted the divorce agreement. "What are you laughing at?" Taylor demanded angrily. Wesley's smile seemed to mock her, fueling her rage. Ignoring her entirely, Wesley signed the document and handed it over. "What are you laughing at? Answer me! Who do you think you are?" Taylor roared once more. Wesley glanced at her before striding towards the exit. "Stop!" The gent who had accompanied Taylor stepped forward, blocking Wesley's path. "Taylor asked you a question, and... Your previous attitude displeased me. Apologize to Taylor, or I'll have you leave in disgrace!" Chapter 2 The Unspoken Truth "Yes, let him leave in disgrace. He thought he could just hit me and walk away so easily," Madison joined in the commotion, also noticing the gent blocking Wesley's path. Madison had a keen interest in luxury goods, having frequented various high-end establishments over the years as the Reed family's living conditions improved. The gent was wearing an expensive watch and dressed head to toe in high-end luxury brands. Seeing Madison's gaze, the gent spoke. "Rest assured, today Wesley must pay the price." The gent introduced himself, looking at Wesley, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Henry Clark, the eldest son of the Clark family and the general manager of the Clark Group in the North District." "From now on, I will accompany Taylor on her journey of life, and I will not allow anyone to bully her." "My identity carries weight. You should understand that. Now, apologize to Taylor. Apologize! Did you hear me? Apologize!" Madison's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected the gent before her to hold such a high status. She continued to shout, "Did you hear that? Taylor will be with Mr. Clark from now on. Apologize now." Wesley glanced at Henry, then at Taylor. He thought, "Have they been together all along?" Wesley had wanted to ask but decided against it because there was no need. He simply gave them a glance and continued walking towards the exit. "Are you ignoring me?" Henry's face turned cold as he reached out to grab Wesley. Henry's hand froze mid-air as he received a solid hit. "Until I sign the divorce papers, Taylor and I are still wife and husband. I don't care to investigate whether you two had any intimate relationship during that time, but don't provoke me, or I won't hesitate to make you regret it." Wesley's gaze was icy, and as Henry met his eyes, he felt a twinge of fear and swallowed his words. Taylor was also stunned. She knew exactly what Wesley had been like over the past five years. There were many surveillance cameras in the house, and she would often check them. Even when Taylor wasn't home, despite how her family treated Wesley, he always obeyed without complaint, especially towards her. He had never raised his voice, no matter how they treated him. Today, not only did Wesley dodge when her mother struck, but he also initiated the divorce and now even struck Henry. Taylor was at a loss for words, thinking, "How could this cowardly gent dare? On what grounds does he dare?" This change was difficult for Taylor to accept as if she didn't truly understand this guy. The gent who used to be obedient to her, completely submissive, now revealed this side of himself. She watched Wesley walk away in a daze, feeling a strange discomfort in her heart. "Isn't he leaving with nothing?" Alexis pointed at the wooden box Wesley was holding. "What is he taking with him?" Madison also realized. Over the past five years, Wesley had always treasured this wooden box, carrying it with him wherever he went. She thought there must be something valuable inside. Realizing this, Madison hurriedly followed. "Wesley, stop right there, leave the wooden box." Wesley paused, glanced at Madison, and said, "This is my personal belonging." "Nonsense, what personal belonging could you possibly have after marrying into the Reed family? Everything you've eaten, worn, and lived in over the years has been provided by the Reed family. Put it down." As she spoke, Madison reached out to grab the wooden box. "Ah..." A scream rang out as Madison quickly retracted her hand, a gash appearing on her palm, a crimson liquid dripping. The wooden box was now stained with the same crimson liquid, trembling lightly in Wesley's hand. "It's not the right time yet, the day you thirst for this crimson liquid will come," Wesley murmured softly, patting the box before turning to continue his stride towards the exit. "Monster! A monster!" Madison screamed, causing Taylor and the others to rush out. Seeing the wound in Madison's hand, Taylor was filled with rage. "Wesley, aren't you going to say something?" Wesley halted once more, contemplating before meeting Taylor's gaze. "Just stay out of my way from now on. Consider this a warning to you." "Taylor, that wooden box of his has a mechanism. It must hold something valuable! We can't let him take it with him," Madison, enduring the pain, reminded them. "Mom, your injury is important. We'll deal with him later. Let me take you to the hospital first." Taylor comforted Madison before calling out to the retreating Wesley. "Our marriage is over! Yet, you dared to hurt my mother! This won't be the end of it! I will make you regret it!" Ignoring her, Wesley continued walking out. "Rest assured, I promise he won't see the light of day tomorrow." Henry stepped forward to console. "Let's focus on getting your wound treated first." "I want him to regret ever existing in this world, to apologize to me in repentance," Madison roared. "Mom, trust me, I will make him do just that." Taylor looked at Madison with a mix of pity and determination. "Let's go to the hospital first." In the villa area, Wesley halted, his voice cold. "Get out." An elderly gent leaped down from a tree, appearing to be in his seventies, yet landing silently from a height of around ten feet. "Mr. Harrington, your father wants you to come home and take charge." "He stopped being my father five years ago. He's my enemy." "Mr. Harrington, you misunderstood your father. He had his reasons back then. I swear in my life, once you know the truth, you will forgive him." "Huh!" Wesley smirked coldly, saying, "I nearly passed away back then. Is that also a misunderstanding?" The old gent pleaded, "Mr. Harrington, this situation is truly not as you perceive it." Wesley didn't engage further with the old guy. The events of that year were etched in his memory forever. He was the one who had been abandoned. If not for that incident, why would he have stayed with the Reed family for five years? Watching Wesley walk away, the old gent had tears silently streaming down his face. "Mr. Harrington, I truly... I truly can't bring myself to speak the truth, but you have misunderstood your father. He also bears burdens and endures pains beyond what an ordinary person can handle." As Wesley's figure disappeared, the old gent stood up, hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number on his phone. "Mr. Harrington is now divorced. I've given you the news firsthand. If your daughter is truly together with Mr. Harrington, you must fulfill the promise and let her persuade Mr. Harrington to come home." After hanging up, a middle-aged gent in a luxurious estate jumped up excitedly. Calming himself, he immediately made another call. "My dear, you're at Yeadeo, right? "Go find Wesley now. Don't mention the engagement for now. Use every means to get close to him, make him fall in love with you." "Dad, I don't have time." "No matter what you are busy with, you must go find Wesley now. No matter what reason you approach him, you must leave a good impression the first time." "Dad, I'm in trouble right now. If I don't handle it well, I might be good as gone. I have to deal with it immediately. I'm hanging up." Chapter 3 You're Nothing The middle-aged gent's voice lowered significantly. "Is there a big incident happening? You didn't tell me? What happened?" "Quinn Kingsley from Yeadeo, Mr. Kingsley, used our product and now has one foot on the grave. If something really happens to him..." "You mean Quinn, the uncontested leader of Yeadeo?" "Yes." "In that case, you should go find Wesley. Trust me, in this world, there is no problem that Wesley can't solve. As long as he's willing to help, you'll be fine. Listen to me, go find Wesley immediately." The lady fell silent for a moment before saying, "Okay." At Yeadeo Harbor, a gent with a large flaxen chain and a watch, sporting a crew cut, hurriedly disembarked, accompanied by a dozen gentlemen. "Mr. Reed, wherever that trash is, we will find him and tear him apart." "Yes, that guy dared to harm your mother. We'll make sure he pays for it." Frank Reed's face turned cold. "Wesley, you coward, thinking you can overturn the world? How dare you touch my mom? Just wait until I find you, you're finished." "We've found him. Wesley got into a taxi, and our boys followed him." "Let's go!" Frank waved his hand, leading dozens of men who boarded the car with harpoons, steel pipes, and other weapons. Inside the taxi, Wesley gazed at the scenery outside, feeling a strange sense of tranquility. He thought to himself, "I never imagined that while I was secretly paving the way for the Reed family, Taylor, after progressing so rapidly, would start looking down on me more and more." "Those ladies who know my true identity, which one of them isn't trying to throw themselves at me? Ladies like that don't interest me." "Being an ordinary gent is truly difficult," Wesley murmured, smiling faintly and deciding not to dwell on these matters anymore. He had important things to attend to and no time to waste on personal affairs. "Young lad, are you going to Feidgeuo Manor for a job interview?" The driver, curious about Wesley's destination, inquired. Feidgeuo Manor was Yeadeo's most mysterious private area. Originally a villa area, it was bought at a huge cost five years ago and completely renovated. It was said to have cost a trillion dollars. The former villa area was now Feidgeuo Manor. "That's my home," Wesley replied nonchalantly. The driver was taken aback by this revelation, silently cursing Wesley for bragging. After a couple of minutes, the driver regained his composure. "It seems like you and I both prefer to keep a low profile. My car usually gathers dust at home, so I occasionally drive a taxi to experience life." Wesley chuckled, "My car has been driven by my assistant for the past few years, so it's not gathering dust." "Haha..." The driver laughed. "We should get together sometime and see whose car is more impressive." "Sure, whenever we have the time." As they chatted, the vehicle soon arrived near Feidgeuo Manor, where the massive head of the Feidgeuo Peak protruded, creating a unique landscape in Yeadeo. The driver asked with a smile, "Since you're the owner here, it's fine if I drive in, right?" "Of course," Wesley replied. As soon as Wesley spoke, several cars caught up from behind. The cars surrounded the one Wesley was in, with the front vehicles braking to force the car to a stop. When numerous people descended from cars wielding harpoons and steel pipes, the driver's face paled. Frank and his group got out of the cars, instantly closing in, and without hesitation, started attacking, the steel pipes and harpoons thudding against the car. Frank's henchman yanked open the door of Wesley's car, poised to stab Wesley with a harpoon, but Wesley swiftly exited the vehicle. With a firm step on the ground, he launched a swift hit. A muffled sound echoed as the henchman was hit away. "What are you looking at?" Frank noticed his henchmen were all staring at him. "All of you, attack together and take him down!" As he commanded, the henchmen Frank brought with him surged forward. The taxi driver, trembling, took out his phone to call the police, but Frank glared at him. "I am Frank Reed from Yeadeo Harbor. If you dare, go ahead and make that call." Frank, leveraging his sister Taylor's status, had been causing trouble in Yeadeo Harbor, and no one dared to provoke him. Upon hearing Frank's name, the driver hastily put away his phone. "Mr. Reed, I'll just check the time, you guys continue." "Huh!" Frank snorted coldly, casting his gaze towards the surrounded Wesley. The sounds of thuds continued to ring out incessantly. Because Wesley was completely surrounded, Frank was unable to see the situation inside clearly, but he could imagine it. After all, in Frank's mind, the henchmen under his command were not to be trifled with. "Hit him hard for me!" Another muffled sound and a figure flew out. At that moment, Frank finally saw the situation clearly, and his face turned pale. Frank knew that Wesley liked to practice martial arts, but he had never expected Wesley to be this skilled. It wasn't Wesley who had been beaten, but his own men by Wesley alone. Frantically, Frank turned and ran to retrieve a crossbow from the car. "Clear the way." Frank bellowed, aiming the crossbow at Wesley. "You scumbag, you think you can fight? Move one more time, and I'll end your life! Surrender!" Wesley, holding a wooden box, stared at Frank. Ignoring the crossbow in his hand, Wesley said, "Tell your henchmen to back off, or you'll all see the light from above!" "You're really good at pretending to be tough." Frank took two steps forward. "See the light? Move a muscle and see if I can end your life or not! If you don't have the guts, apologize now!" Wesley turned his head and looked at the approaching cars, with two expensive ones in the lead, two more in the rear, and another one in the middle. "Keep acting tough, and I'll put a hole in your head." Frank spoke while glancing at the five cars. "What, looking for help?" "Let me tell you, those who ride in these cars are not the kind of weaklings like you who rely on connections. With me here, in Yeadeo's social hierarchy, even those who ride in such cars wouldn't dare meddle in this matter. And let me make it clear, without my sister, you're nothing." Chapter 4 Is He Worthy? As Frank's words faded, the five cars came to a halt. A bodyguard opened the door of the one in the middle, revealing a dazzling pair of shining shoes catching everyone's eye. The shining shoe encased a beautiful foot. Above, the skirt's hem was adorned with lace. Then, like a fairy stepping out of a painting, she appeared before everyone's eyes. The lady was beautiful! Frank was mesmerized. Ever since the Reed family rose to prominence, he had been surrounded by ladies, but compared to the elegant lady before him, they were worlds apart. It wasn't just a difference in appearance but an incomparable gap in demeanor. The lady descending from the Maybach seemed like a celestial being untouched by mortal affairs. The embodiment of a fairy in the mundane world. She simply stood there after getting out of the car, perfectly embodying what it meant to be graceful and elegant. The lady glanced at Wesley, then at Frank. Frank grinned, saying, "May I have the honor of knowing the name of this esteemed lady? I am Frank..." The lady spoke calmly. "Disrespect Mr. Harrington, and you're done for." Her bodyguards, unfazed by Frank's crossbow, swiftly overwhelmed him, sending him crashing to the ground. The henchmen who had come with Frank, previously defeated by Wesley, now scrambled to their feet and fled in all directions. Who would dare provoke someone who could afford such a car? "My sister is Taylor Reed, the chairperson of Reed Group," Frank shouted, clutching his head. Ignoring him, one of the bodyguards dragged him to the roadside grass while another used a belt to tighten around Frank's neck, exerting pressure. "Enough, a lesson is all that's needed." Wesley spoke calmly, and only when the lady gestured did the bodyguards release Frank. Frank lay there, already unconscious. Wesley turned to the lady. "Who are you?" "I am Mia Roberts, the general manager of Vinver Business Alliance's Yeadeo branch." She looked at Wesley and continued, "Mr. Harrington, my father mentioned that you have miraculous healing skills and earnestly requested your assistance. A generous reward awaits." Wesley furrowed his brow slightly, thinking, "There are indeed people who recognize my abilities and status, yet I've rarely intervened in the past five years. Today, shortly after I divorced Taylor, she is here. Whose arrangement is this?" "Mr. Harrington, my father also mentioned that you are benevolent and has raised the banner of compassion among healers, serving as a role model and benchmark for all in the medical field." Wesley chuckled, "You have a way with words. Tell me the specifics." "Mr. Harrington, please get in the car first. I will explain in detail on the way." The phrase "compassionate healer" held significant weight for Wesley, who had saved countless lives from the brink of death. Without further ado, he got into the car. Inside, after Mia brewed coffee for Wesley, she began. "Vinver Business Alliance has a wide range of business operations, and I mainly oversee the health supplement sector, which has seen some success in recent years. "Recently, Quinn Kingsley started using our medicines, and now there's an accident." As she spoke, Mia kept her gaze fixed on Wesley. Quinn, the undisputed leader of Yeadeo, was a figure of immense influence. Upon hearing this name, Wesley showed no particular reaction. "If the city's leader faces issues with your products, it is indeed a concern. Let's go and see." With just a sentence, Wesley leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. Mia was secretly alarmed, thinking, "He knows who Quinn is, yet he seems indifferent. Who is this Wesley, really? No wonder Dad has instructed me to find a way to win his favor." Mia's inner resistance toward Wesley quietly shifted. Wesley had piqued her curiosity. As the vehicle was moving, Wesley's phone rang. Wesley opened his eyes and took out his phone to see Taylor calling. Pressing the answer button, he asked, "What's the matter?" On the other end of the line, Taylor, driving towards Feidgeuo Manor, had a grim expression. She thought, "Has Wesley ever spoken to me in such a cold tone before? Is he really this heartless right after our divorce?" Already furious, she snapped. "Wesley, do you even consider yourself a human being? "Today, not only did you lay hands on my mother, but you also had someone attack my brother. Do you not remember our past at all?" Wesley calmly replied, "Do we have a past to remember?" "You truly are a heartless scumbag, just as my mother said. You are an ungrateful and vicious person I raised for five years. Even a pet would wag its tail at me!" Taylor wanted to continue her tirade, but the phone line had already turned busy. This only fueled her anger further. Just now, she had received a call from Frank's underlings, informing her that Wesley had sent people to attack Frank and even intended to end him. Taylor wanted to demand answers, but... As Taylor was clutching her fists, her gaze turned icy. After a moment, she picked up her phone again. "Wesley, you are so narrow-minded. You have no ambition. Any lady would steer clear of you." "Just because I dumped you, you are doing this on purpose to make me feel sick. Pretending to be aloof and seeking revenge? Do you even deserve it?" "In Yeadeo, squashing you would be as easy as squashing an ant. You're asking for it! If anything happens to my brother, I will make you wish you were ending!" Her furious voice message echoed in the car. Wesley chuckled and put away his phone. Beside him, Mia seemed contemplative. Before coming, she had already ordered a swift investigation into Wesley. She was curious, thinking, "How could someone valued by my father could be the one 'marrying into' the Reed family." Being tactful, Mia chose not to ask and pretended not to have heard. After about forty minutes, they arrived at the Kingsley Manor. The Kingsley family members, upon seeing Mia alight from the car, all wore grim expressions. Mia greeted them with a smile, "Everyone, this is Wesley Harrington, Mr. Harrington, the miraculous healer I specially invited to treat Mr. Kingsley." "Him? The gent who married into the Reed family?" "A miraculous healer? Is he even worthy? Are healers so worthless now?" "A useless gent who mooches off of the Reed family? How dare he call himself a miraculous healer? Truly a joke among all jokes." Chapter 5 Compassionate Healer Amanda Kingsley, Quinn's granddaughter, stared coldly at Wesley and Mia. This lady, dressed in a smart suit, also held significant fame in Yeadeo, overseeing the region's business activities, including investment attraction and various local business negotiations. Amanda had a favorable view of Taylor, who had risen swiftly in recent times, and they had interacted frequently. She was aware of Wesley's existence and had advised Taylor to part ways with him early on. But Amanda never imagined that Mia would bring someone like Wesley, a complete waste, and claim he was a miraculous healer. Glaring at Mia, she said, "Mia, once my grandfather is well, it's best for your Roberts family to leave Yeadeo." "As for you..." She glanced at Wesley. "I will advise Taylor to divorce you. You have deceived Taylor's feelings and now shamelessly made your way into my family. You are a despicable creature." After reprimanding Mia and Wesley, she turned to an elderly gent beside her, and her tone and attitude completely changed. "Mr. Phillips, sorry to trouble you. My grandfather is inside, please." Mia looked at the elderly gent, who was already in his twilight years, feeling deeply shocked. Scott Phillips, the 38th generation heir of the Healing Clinic, was now ninety-two years old. Renowned as a miraculous healer, he was a respected figure in the medical community of Yeadeo and even nationally. He no longer conducted consultations personally due to his old age. Mia had visited him specifically to pay her respects once she had arrived in Yeadeo but had not met Scott. She never expected Scott to appear in person. It was understandable, as Quinn held a prominent position in the city. Despite the profound influence of the Phillips family, they still had to show respect to Quinn. Mia looked at Wesley, feeling conflicted and thinking, "Dad has confidently claimed that Wesley has extraordinary abilities, but does he really?" She harbored doubts, but out of propriety, Mia spoke. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the trouble." Wesley smiled, "It's fine. As long as the person can be healed." His open-mindedness impressed Mia. After about half an hour, Amanda emerged from the room. All eyes instantly turned towards her. It was evident that Amanda had wailed out, with traces of tears still visible. "Amanda, how is it?" A middle-aged gent anxiously asked her. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family who had rushed back also focused their attention on her. "Mr. Phillips said that there's little hope of recovery. He could only use acupuncture to wake grandfather for half an hour. When grandfather wakes up, let's all go in and see if he has any final instructions." Everyone was shocked. "How could this be?" "Is Mr. Phillips also helpless?" The members of the Kingsley family found it hard to accept this reality, especially since Quinn had always treated his juniors well. The thought of Quinn departing saddened some, and tears silently fell. Publicly, Quinn's status was the foundation of the Kingsley family's prominence in Yeadeo. If Quinn were to pass away, the Kingsley family would undoubtedly decline. The atmosphere within the Kingsley family was somber. Amanda looked at her family members, opened her mouth, but said nothing, silently turning back into the room. "Stop crying," A middle-aged gent said sternly, "Dad wouldn't want to see you all in tears. If he's really leaving, we mustn't let him worry about us. Pull yourselves together." After these words, the middle-aged gent also entered the room. The younger members of the Kingsley family wiped their tears vigorously, trying to force smiles, but in truth, they looked better at crying than pretending to be happy. Mia's spirit plummeted as she realized the gravity of the situation. Even if an ordinary person passed away from consuming health supplements, it spelled big trouble for those who sold them. And when the deceased happened to be Quinn, the stakes were even higher. She understood that it would be difficult for this branch to stay in Yeadeo, and even the headquarters might face repercussions. "Let's go in and have a look." Wesley glanced at Mia. "There might still be a chance." "Ah..." Mia stared at Wesley in surprise. Seeing him already heading towards the room, she quickly followed suit. Inside the room, the members of the Kingsley family stood around the mattress, maintaining a certain distance. Scott lit the alcohol lamp and took out the needles, his expression solemn. He looked at the members of the Kingsley family. "Think about what you want to say to Mr. Kingsley later. Once you're ready, let me know, and then I'll proceed with the acupuncture." As he said this, tears welled up in many eyes. "If you don't mind, let me take a look. I have a way." Wesley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. Amanda's face darkened. "Who let you in? Get out!" "Mia, have you lost your mind? Tricked by this trash and actually brought him here as a miracle healer. Get out with him! I'll settle the score with you in a couple of days." Mia glanced at Wesley, at a loss for words. "Even Mr. Phillips is unable to reverse the situation. What use are you? Get out." Another younger member of the Kingsley family angrily rebuked. The middle-aged gent added, "We're in no mood right now. You better leave immediately." "I understand your narrow-mindedness," Wesley continued, "But as a healer, once I see a patient, I cannot stand by and watch him draw his last breath." "Wesley, you're quite the charlatan. Do you really want to be gone right now?" Amanda's voice was filled with anger. "Amanda, let me say a few words," Scott interjected, and Amanda fell silent. Looking at Wesley, Scott began. "Young lad, at my age, I've seen a lot and have a broad perspective. Today, however, I find it hard to remain indifferent. I practiced medicine from the age of sixteen until I stopped seeing patients for a total of seventy years." "I've saved countless patients from various illnesses. I never easily declare a patient's fate, nor do I believe I have the right to do so." "But from your recent remarks, it seems like you're accusing me of such actions. Young people wanting to make a name for themselves by stepping on the shoulders of their predecessors, I can understand." "But this kind of behavior displeases me." "My displeasure, what does it mean to you? Do you understand?" "Even if you are a healer, your career will be ruined because of this." Chapter 6 Hand of Hell In the face of Scott's veiled threats, Wesley simply smiled and brushed them off. Looking at Scott, he asked, "I've always focused on the issue at hand rather than attacking individuals. I have a few questions for you. If you can't administer the needles, how long do you think Quinn can hold on?" "Seven days, but he will remain unconscious," Scott replied bluntly. "Then let me ask you this, is there anyone in the world with better medical skills than you?" "Outrageous," Amanda coldly interjected, "Mr. Phillips is unparalleled in his medical expertise." Scott glanced at Amanda. "Amanda, let me handle this question." Continuing to address Wesley, he said, "I don't underestimate myself, nor do I overestimate. There are countless talented individuals in the world, like stars in the sky. I may not dare claim to be the best in medical skills, but those who surpass me are few." "That means there are some," Wesley calmly remarked, causing Scott's expression to shift slightly, "Indeed, there are." "Then let me ask you this. Do you think within seven days, the Kingsley family won't find someone with better medical skills than you?" "If they do find someone, do you believe there is an illness that you cannot cure, but this person can?" Wesley's questions were sharp and resounding. Scott's face changed once more as he was rendered speechless. "Even if there is, that person will never be you." Amanda's face turned icy. "Now get out. Don't spout your eloquence here. Your deceitful behavior is repulsive." "Your understanding of me is merely hearsay, isn't it?" Wesley retorted, his gaze mocking Amanda, "Has your background and education taught you such arrogance and prejudice?" "Arrogance?" Amanda's face grew colder as she disdainfully looked at Wesley. "Prejudice? "Did I say something wrong just now? You are nothing but stagnant waste, a parasite living off others. If it weren't for Taylor, you would have starved on the streets long ago." "Relying on sweet words, deceiving Taylor. She, with her kind heart, can't bear to divorce you, but don't push your luck. If it weren't for Taylor's sake, you would have been sent out long ago." Scott interrupted Amanda, "Amanda, although I find this lad a bit annoying, what he said does hold some truth. There are indeed individuals with better medical skills than me. Your grandfather can hold on for seven days. Try reaching out to see if someone can come over. I'll help you make connections." "If it really doesn't work out after seven days, I'll administer the needles to your grandfather. However, at that point, I can only buy you three minutes." As soon as Scott spoke, the faces of the Kingsley family members grew even more solemn. True healers were rare and not easily summoned. While the Kingsley family had connections in Yeadeo, their influence waned outside of it. "Mr. Phillips, please administer the needles. Life has its ups and downs, and we understand that. Just buy my father a bit more time." The middle-aged gent spoke up. The rest of the members of the Kingsley family nodded in agreement. Amanda looked at Scott. "Mr. Phillips, please." "In that case, please have everyone unrelated leave. I need silence," Scott calmly stated. Amanda glared at Wesley, her eyes speaking volumes without a word. The unrelated individuals were, naturally, Wesley and Mia. Mia glanced at Wesley, intending to leave, but she suddenly hesitated. Instead of leaving, Wesley moved forward. "What are you doing?" A young member of the Kingsley family stepped forward with a stern expression, pushing Wesley. In one swift motion, Wesley executed a clean shoulder throw, toppling the young gent to the ground, his own expression turning cold. "A bunch of fools! If it weren't for my teacher's teachings about not turning a blind eye to those in need, I wouldn't bother with you ignorant lot," Wesley remarked with disdain. As Wesley effortlessly took down one individual from the Kingsley family, the others seemed slow to react. By the time they realized what was happening, Wesley had already picked up the needle next to Scott and casually flicked his wrist. The needle flew out of his hand, piercing Quinn's temple, followed by a second needle, a third needle, and so on. "What are you doing? Stop!" Amanda's voice rose in urgency, echoed by the rest of the Kingsley family members who rushed forward to restrain Wesley. "Stay back, everyone. Wait." Scott suddenly stood up, blocking the others. "Let him try." Amanda and the others were left dumbfounded, thinking, "What does this mean?" Despite their confusion, they heeded Scott's words. After Scott stopped the members of the Kingsley family, he fixed his gaze on Wesley. Wesley proceeded to use eighteen needles in succession, symbolizing the levels of pain. Even if someone had descended into the depths of hell, they must be brought back. The final needle, also piercing a vital point, caused Quinn's body to tremble suddenly, resonating with the previous eighteen needles. Scott's eyes widened, his body trembling slightly. His reaction left Amanda and the others even more puzzled, but none dared to interrupt. Moments later, Wesley placed a palm on Quinn's chest, causing all eighteen needles to be shaken off. When all the needles landed on the ground, the part of the skin where the needles had pierced turned dark. Wesley then dragged Quinn to the edge of the mattress, flipped him over with his head facing downwards, and gave him a firm pat on the back. Quinn spat out a mouthful of black liquid. When Wesley flipped him back to lie flat, his complexion had regained some color. "The Hand of Darkness... It's the Hand of Darkness!" Scott exclaimed with excitement, his body quivering, "It's the Hand that descends into the dark world, snatching people from the hands of the Evil!" "You do have some knowledge, recognizing the Hand of Darkness." Wesley glanced at Scott. Scott's gaze towards Wesley had undergone a drastic change. He respectfully clasped his hands together. "Mr. Harrington, thirty years ago, I had the honor of attending a teaching conference held by Mr. Vanderbilt. I saw the Hand of Darkness, but my limited aptitude only allowed me to grasp the basics." "I have been blind and ignorant. I apologize for my earlier offenses. Please forgive me, Mr. Harrington." The Mr. Vanderbilt Scott referred to was Wesley's teacher, Ulysses Vanderbilt. He generously imparted his skills to others, but the ability to learn depended on one's innate talent. In this world, few could learn Ulysses' skills. Scott had been fortunate to receive guidance from Ulysses, which had elevated his medical skills. However, the Hand of Darkness, a miraculous ability, was beyond his comprehension. Wesley smiled faintly, "Your actions earlier are understandable. I appreciate your words." "Mr. Harrington, you must be an exceptional disciple of Mr. Vanderbilt, possessing unparalleled magnanimity. Impressive," Scott continued. "Enough with the flattery at your age." "You are mistaken, Mr. Harrington. Every word I speak is sincere." Mia, Amanda, and the others stood bewildered by the unfolding situation. "Mr. Phillips... he... he..." Amanda's words faltered. Scott turned to the members of the Kingsley family. "Meeting Mr. Harrington was Quinn's luck. His symptoms have been cured by Mr. Harrington. With a few days of rest, he will be fine." The waste Taylor had previously said was called Mr. Harrington by Scott! Recalling their previous attitudes, Amanda hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." The members of the Kingsley family all apologized in unison, "Mr. Harrington, I'm sorry." Chapter 7 Eight Plates of Noodles With a faint smile, Wesley remarked, "As family members of a patient, your actions earlier are understandable. There's no need for such formality." Amanda's perplexity deepened as she thought, "Where is the cowardly waste that Taylor described? This display of magnanimity and breadth is far from it." Mia, too, felt a shiver of realization, thinking, "No wonder Dad has insisted on my proximity to Wesley. This guy..." She gazed at Wesley, her curiosity piqued, a sense of exploration stirring within her. "Mia has brought you here, Mr. Harrington, to cure my grandfather. The Kingsley family will never forget this act. However, considering that my grandfather's ailment stemmed from the health supplements produced by the Vinver Business Alliance, we will be conducting an investigation into it." Amanda continued, looking at Wesley, "What do you think... of this approach?" It was Mia who had invited Wesley, so Amanda had grown wiser, refraining from asking for a direct punishment of the Vinver Business Alliance. As Mia heard Amanda's words, her heart skipped a beat, realizing trouble was brewing. "On the way here, Ms. Roberts briefed me on the situation. You conducted experiments on mice, correct?" Amanda nodded. "Yes, the health supplements we received were exclusively provided by the Roberts family. There were no similar cases on the market, so we used mice for testing. "All the mice that ingested this supplement were gone." She looked at Mia and added, her voice turned colder. "Before the experiment, I specifically contacted Mia to inquire about the testing methods during the development phase, which involved mice." "There have been individuals eyeing my grandfather's position, some even wishing for his demise. I never imagined that the Vinver Business Alliance, which I attracted for investment, would become a weapon in someone else's hands." "Do you have any of the remaining medicine?" Wesley inquired, looking at Amanda. Amanda nodded. "Yes." "Bring some over." Immediately, someone fetched the medicine. After it was brought to him, Wesley took out a supplement and swallowed it directly. This scene left Amanda and the others dumbfounded. Scott, too, was bewildered. "Mr. Harrington, what are you doing?" Wesley smiled, "Just proving that this medicine is not toxic." "Mr. Harrington, thank you," Mia thanked sincerely, feeling like sobbing at that moment. Amanda, with a puzzled expression, looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, are you suggesting that my grandfather's condition wasn't caused by the Vinver Business Alliance's medicine? What about the mice?" The rest were equally puzzled. "Yes, but not entirely," Wesley said, leaving everyone even more bewildered. Mia's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride, from relief to immediate tension. "This medicine itself is not toxic, but when taken with another substance made from a certain plant, it results in Quinn's condition. The mice would die immediately, while humans could endure a few more days." Wesley continued to explain, "The plant used in this concoction is originally meant for crafting slow-acting toxins, not for human consumption." Looking at Amanda, Wesley said, "During this period, whoever had access to your grandfather and the mice will better understand why these events occurred." The gaze of members of the Kingsley family immediately focused on a lady. Amanda, somewhat incredulous, looked at her. "Can you offer an explanation?" The lady was the wife of Amanda's deceased brother. She found it hard to accept, as did the rest of the Kingsley family. This lady had been named the exemplary lady who served her family well this year, not due to her connection with the Kingsley family but because she genuinely deserved it. "What do you mean? Amanda, what explanation do you want from me?" The lady stared at Amanda. "Am I the only one who had access to Grandfather and the mice? You, and you... and you, who didn't have access?" "You all claim to treat me as family. Since I married into the Kingsley family, I have worked diligently, contributing my share even if not acknowledged." "Amanda, it has been over a year since your brother passed, and I never once considered remarrying. Now, just because of his words, you demand an explanation from me?" Pointing at Wesley, the lady questioned, "Just because he accuses me of poisoning, you suspect me? Tell me, did I poison him?" The lady glared at Wesley. "I am merely analyzing the facts. As for concluding this case, it's not within my purview," Wesley addressed the members of the Kingsley family, saying, "You should conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. "I will write a prescription. Have Quinn take it on time, and he will recover in seven days." Amanda hurried to fetch paper and pen while Wesley prepared the prescription. Once done, he was ready to leave. Amanda said hurriedly, "Mr. Harrington, I've already made arrangements for lunch." "No need," Wesley smiled. The Kingsley family sought to build closer ties with Wesley, given his extraordinary medical skills. Wesley was well aware of this. Looking at Amanda and the others, Wesley remarked, "In the future, if you encounter any difficult medical cases that others cannot solve, seek me out. Remember, cases others cannot solve." The gaze of the Kingsley family members toward Wesley changed once again. Many renowned healers had eccentric personalities and were difficult to engage. They hadn't expected Wesley to possess such remarkable medical skills without any airs. As Wesley prepared to depart, the members of the Kingsley family did not dare to insist on his stay, so they accompanied him outside. "Oh, how could we forget such an important matter? Amanda, what about the consultation fee?" The middle-aged gent inquired, looking at Amanda. "Mr. Harrington, I apologize for the oversight. Please wait a moment." Amanda hurried back inside and soon returned with a bank card in hand. "Mr. Harrington, there's one million dollars in here." Without hesitation, Wesley accepted the bank card and boarded Mia's car. During the journey, Mia boldly looked at Wesley. "Mr. Harrington, you've helped me immensely. Can I treat you to a meal? Don't decline in a hurry. It's not a fancy restaurant, but it will leave you wanting more. It's a small place on the street, with only eight plates of noodles served each day, each plate containing different ingredients." "I managed to secure a reservation. Are you interested?" Wesley thought, "Eight Plates of Noodles? "Ah, Aaron's restaurant. It has been a while since I visited those old friends." Wesley nodded. "Let's go then." The restaurant, Eight Plates of Noodles, was located on Chanxold Street near the Yeadeo First Central Hospital. The establishment was small, serving only eight plates of noodles each day at a price of 10 thousand dollars each. Vernoic's television culinary program had specifically covered this incident. Reservations were a must to secure a plate. The restaurant's owner had a mysterious background. While the specifics were unknown, a high-ranking noble from the capital of Vernoic, Kingsland, had caused a scene there once. He had attempted to force his way in without a reservation. Although this incident hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that a garbage truck had to be called to dispose of the intruder's remains, as he was too shattered to be removed by conventional means. Since then, no one dared to cause trouble. On their way, Mia introduced Wesley to the background story. "Mr. Turner, two plates of noodles." Mia called out once they arrived. Aaron Turner didn't respond but visibly paused upon seeing Wesley beside Mia. A faint smile appeared on his usually stoic face. Though the flesh on the face seemed stiff, it was indeed a smile. "Coming right up." Chapter 8 You Are Blushing Mia glanced at Aaron with a hint of surprise, thinking, "When does he become so warm and enthusiastic? His tone seemed a bit agitated earlier, didn't it?" Soon enough, Aaron brought two plates of noodles to the table. One steaming hot and the other devoid of any warmth. As Mia observed Aaron placing the plate without steam in front of Wesley, her expression changed slightly. It was a plate of instant noodles having soaked in cold water, with the seasoning barely dissolved. She felt a sense of panic. Mia had wanted to leave a good impression on Wesley, which was why she had chosen this place. However, Aaron had served such a plate of noodles. She dared not question Aaron. The type of noodles served here was not determined by the guests but by Aaron's mood. "This lass named Mia is quite something, living up to her name, and quite kind-hearted," Aaron remarked, looking at Wesley. "Get lost," Wesley retorted, using his fork to pick up the noodles and devouring them. Mia's face turned pale instantly. Disrespecting Aaron was akin to risking Wesley's life. To her astonishment, Aaron chuckled, tears welling up in his eyes. He wiped them away. "Alright, I'll leave you to your meal." Before departing, he gave Mia a thumbs-up. "Seize the opportunity." The eight plates of noodles symbolized the eight comrades who had faced life and hardships together. Wesley ate voraciously. Initially, they had only one pack of instant noodles to share among the eight of them, forcing them to divide it. Despite the circumstances, they devoured the noodles joyfully. Aaron had promised that once they survived, each one would have the most delicious plate of noodles. However, five of the eight had perished. Wesley had come dangerously close to life-threatening situations, but managed to cling to life. For him, the plate of noodles was not food but the bond of friendship that had shielded him from harm. "Do you... know each other?" Mia couldn't help but ask, her voice low and curious. "Some things are better left unknown," Wesley replied. Mia nodded in understanding, falling silent as they continued eating noodles. She couldn't help stealing glances at Wesley throughout the meal. This gent had piqued her curiosity even more. "Wesley, I see. No wonder you agreed to the divorce so readily. You've already found someone else outside." A sharp voice interrupted their meal. Taylor approached with a cold expression, accompanied by Henry. Taylor's mother was in the nearby hospital, and she had just picked up Frank, planning to buy some food when she unexpectedly saw Wesley. Of course, she saw Mia, too. Seeing Wesley dining with a lady more attractive than herself, so soon after the divorce felt like a dagger twisting in Taylor's heart. Her anger was uncontrollable. Wesley merely glanced at Taylor, disinterested in engaging with her. Taylor was stung by his indifferent gaze. She stepped forward, glaring at Wesley. "Are you not going to explain to me?" Mia looked at Taylor, silently cursing her as a foolish lady. Wesley continued eating his noodles, lowering his head. "Get lost. Don't disturb me, or I won't hesitate to hit you." "What did you say?" Henry stepped forward, enraged. "Wesley, try laying a hand on her! Is that all you're capable of? Laying hands on ladies?" "No wonder Taylor looks down on you. You're truly disgusting trash. Apologize to Taylor now, or else you'll regret coming into this world." "And how will he regret it? Tell me." Aaron emerged, carrying a cleaver, smiling as he faced Henry and Taylor. "Mr. Turner, we dare not cause trouble in your place, but this guy is just..." Henry attempted to speak but was cut off as Aaron's cleaver struck his face, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Mr. Turner, sorry, we'll leave now." Taylor hastily helped Henry up and hurriedly left. These two individuals were fortunate to know the legendary story behind Eight Plates of Noodles and had successfully made reservations to dine here multiple times. Having distanced themselves a bit, Henry covered his face and pointed at Wesley. "Wesley, we have some unfinished business. If you're smart, come over here now and apologize." "Wesley, I've seen through you as well. I never expected that for the past five years, you've been using my money to keep a lady on the side. We'll settle the score slowly." As the two noticed Aaron glancing their way, they quickly shut their mouths and hurriedly left. Once they were out of eyeshots, Aaron fixed his gaze on Wesley. "Your dad doesn't know about your divorce yet, does he?" "What difference would it make if he did?" Wesley stretched lazily. "I've fulfilled my promise. I've given enough." Aaron nodded in acknowledgment without saying anything further. This piqued Mia's curiosity even more. "Is it like what the novels depict? Did you marry Taylor due to some special event?" Seeing Wesley's glare, Mia lowered her head to focus on her noodles. "I won't ask anymore." "For the past five years, you've been staying in the stairwell. It has been hard for you, but at least you're still untouched," Aaron remarked before swiftly departing. Mia stared at Wesley in disbelief, realizing that Aaron's words were meant for her ears. "What are you staring at? Eat your noodles," Wesley said. Mia chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" "You're blushing." "Nonsense," Wesley retorted. Unable to contain herself, Mia burst into laughter. She had tried to hold it in, but seeing Wesley's flushed face made it impossible. Ten minutes later, Mia left on her own accord, sensing that Wesley had something to discuss with Aaron. Inside Aaron's small shop, Wesley opened a bottle of wine. "Still single?" "I look too old, no one's interested," Aaron replied, opening a bottle of liquor as well. "Then why are you meddling in my love lives?" "Leave a child behind, even if you pass away, someone will remember you." Aaron took a sip. "I've actually investigated this Mia." "You investigated her?" "I knew you'd get a divorce. I've been keeping an eye on the pretty ones. This girl had done a lot of good deeds before coming to Yeadeo. Once, she saved three people in a flood and nearly lost her life. Opportunities are rare. You have to seize them." "When you've figured things out and are ready to marry, then we can discuss our affairs. That's the condition." Wesley downed the entire bottle of liquor. "Otherwise, don't bother meddling. We're on a one-way path and can't drag others along." "You..." Aaron sighed as he watched Wesley's retreating figure. On the road leading to the Feidgeuo Manor, Taylor stood gazing blankly at the entrance not far away. Twice in one day, she had come here. The first time was to pick up Frank, and this time was because Frank had lost his expensive watch. She and Henry hadn't even had a meal, rushing over to find it. The first time, she had come in a hurry when Frank was injured and left quickly as well. But this time, as Taylor looked at the entrance ahead, an infinite longing sprouted within her. "If only... I could live here, how wonderful that would be." Henry looked at her. "One day, I'll definitely build an estate more magnificent than this, and you'll be the lady of the house." As they conversed, a taxi drove by, stopping at the entrance. The person who got out of the taxi left Taylor stunned. She rubbed her eyes.		Adoread		1030	https://www.facebook.com/61556400142540/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436257	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/4/24, 5:12 PM	1731437843	1733353955		1782																										italystored.com	Get offer			VIDEO	Tap the "Get Offer" button to seize your offer immediately. 👇		https://italystored.com/trending/nugntrav/?ad_id=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&adset_id=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&campaign_id=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&ad_name=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&adset_name=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&campaign_name=%7B%7Bcampaign.name%7D%7D&source=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&placement=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&cpid=672a850788656b0012b97099			4.7553588230226E+14	Inspiration Station	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465911902_1622817265258040_6326909500711037749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QMJRx11wVooQ7kNvgF43ZxM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYBdhYJi8_beDkhZneT40yGWVtHMfSaHHx8-mfNqqfoD2A&oe=673973AD	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		If you're reading this, 😱 Celebrate your success! You're among the fortunate 3,000 individuals who have secured a Ravin R29 Crossbow for just $10 in our giveaway, 🥳		Inspiration Station		7464	https://www.facebook.com/61566595236701/	0		GET_OFFER_VIEW								View Edit Delete
2436750	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 6:27 PM	1731438052	1733358436		1782																										novel.novelsbd.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Read More👉		https://novel.novelsbd.com/fs/BFFBjmzmmyqu.html?utm_campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_ad_id={{ad.id}}&utm_ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_adset_id={{adset.id}}&utm_adset_name={{adset.name}}			1.0535600226624E+14	FicStory	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/458396949_1039513230627854_177274770337616161_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ulp6hlf1rUgQ7kNvgGaH4HX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZhb3QjdBsHL_EHTntt45om&oh=00_AYDDDKgODb-P8oDm46rHF9pGcPHYvwn4jZYL_Guvo9H8wA&oe=6739917C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Girls aged 16 to 19 were chained up in the forest to stop them from running away. Running from what? Wild animals! One girl was sacrificed. Want to know what happens next? You’ll have to read the story. ***** The week of the blood moon was finally here. No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it just kept coming back. I couldn't understand why everyone was so fascinated by this cruel and barbaric ritual. Who could actually celebrate something called 'the ritual to the beast'? I was nineteen, just the right age to be part of the ritual. There's no real proof of what happens to the girl who disappears, which completely blows my mind. How can someone just vanish off the face of the earth like that? Who even knows what this beast is or what he wants? These girls might as well be preparing to meet their end. Every 20 years, the beast takes one girl. The girls have to wear all white and are chained in the forest so they can't escape. Then the beast shows up, picks his chosen one, and vanishes with her. No trace left behind. The other girls, however, are found the next day right where they were left, with no memory of the night before. I know I won't be chosen because I despise this ritual with every fiber of my being, so there’s no way this beast will take me. But I still hate being part of this tradition. Plus, I could get hypothermia from sitting out all night in the middle of the forest, with no blanket, no heater, just me in that stupid white dress. My family really pushed me into this ritual. My dad was hesitant, but my mom convinced him it was for the best. Even my little sister was excited about it, though luckily for her, she’s only fifteen. Unlike the other girls in this town, I want to explore the world, move out of this creepy place, and go to college. I want to graduate with a medical degree and help those who can’t afford the medical care that others take for granted. Most importantly, I want to live, not die in some stupid ritual. My sister Laura is also sick; she has muscular dystrophy. It means that over time, her muscles will weaken, and eventually, she won’t be able to walk. One reason I don’t want to leave is that I want to be here for her. I want to go to medical school and fight to find a cure or a way to help her walk when her legs finally give out. I have a life to live. I even have a boyfriend, Alexis, who hates this insane ritual as much as I do. That’s one of the main reasons I like him so much. But he’s also funny and charming. He’s impossible not to love. He and I both don't want me to be part of this ritual, but my mom and the whole village are forcing all eligible girls to attend. It’s not like we have a choice. It’s going to be a long week, but hopefully, I'll make it through. Lately, time’s just been flying by and honestly, it feels like my days are literally numbered. For the past couple of days, my mom has had me running around shopping for everything from makeup to underwear. Seriously, mom, I doubt the beast cares about my undies. I’ve been so swamped that I’ve barely had time for my boyfriend, Alexis. Alexis and I have known each other since we were kids—it’s a small town, everyone knows everyone. He’s been my best friend forever, and we’ve shared everything. We started dating when we hit high school. Initially, it was all romance and excitement, but now in our senior year, it feels like the spark’s just not there anymore. I finally convinced my mom to give me a break from all the shopping and grooming. Alexis and I had planned a date today, and I was really looking forward to seeing him and just escaping all this stress for a bit. Alexis’s family is one of the few around here that actually hunts the beast. And when I say hunt, I mean they’re all in—guns, crossbows, arrows, and super sharp daggers. Alexis even tried to teach me how to shoot once, since his dad’s been training him since he was a kid. His family believes the beast was sent by the devil to snatch women from our community, so they think it needs to be dealt with. His granddad had a close call with it forty years ago, which led him and a bunch of other hardcore hunters deep into the forest. Weirdly, they never came back, and their bodies were found at the forest’s edge weeks later. Hearing Alexis tell that story definitely didn’t help my fears. That’s why Alexis and I both really hate the beast and the whole ritual thing. When I pulled up at Alexis’s place today, I saw him coming out of his garage with his favorite toy, the crossbow. “Flora!” he called out as I got out of the car. “Alexis! Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you so much. You have no idea what I’ve been through with my mom,” I said as I rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I know how much you hate this, just as much as I do. But I promise you, you won’t get taken. And if you do, I’ll do what I do best—I’ll hunt down that godforsaken creature,” he said, smiling down at me. Our spark might be dimming, but man, he still knew how to talk. “Come on, I want to show you something,” he said, taking my hand—his free one, not the one holding the crossbow—and pulling me toward the forest. “Alexis, where are we going?” I asked. It wasn’t like him to take me into the forest, even just to the edge. “Just come on,” he urged, pulling me along, and I followed, albeit a bit reluctantly. After about ten minutes of walking, we stopped. There were duffel bags on the ground where we stood. “Alexis, what are these?” I asked cautiously. "These are our tools, guns and arrows to train you. Flora, I love you, and I can’t risk losing you." "Oh, so you’re going to pull the love card? Alexis, I’m not going to get taken, seriously." I couldn’t believe he actually thought I’d get taken. "But you said yourself that you hate the beast. I’m not saying you’re going to be chosen, but we can’t know for sure. Still, you have to attend this ritual," he said, almost like he wanted me to be part of it. "Why? Do you want me to get taken?" I asked, confused. "Of course not, Flora, but you have to be there for the ritual... please don’t fight it." He opened his bag and pulled out a few guns. "Why am I such a key part of this if I might not even be the one chosen?" I asked as he handed me a gun. "Flora, every girl your age is going to be there, and the beast will only show up if everyone’s present. Once they are, I’ll be one step closer to figuring out what the beast really is. Together, we can bring it down once and for all. This chance only comes around every twenty years." He sounded desperate. "So you’re dragging me into this mess because of your obsession with the beast? You’ve got to be joking, Alexis!" "I’m trying, okay? I’m going to give you more training in case something happens. I swear I’ll come find you if needed, but you also need to know how to protect yourself," he said, gently touching my face. "Stop it!" I snapped, stepping back. "You’re basically selling me off to the devil just to feed your obsession. Alexis, the beast isn’t real. Yeah, I have to go to this ritual, but hearing you say this? That was a punch to the gut." I stepped further away, but he kept moving toward me. "And what makes you think you can even catch this beast now?" I challenged. "We finally have the tech for it. Please, try to understand. The only thing I want more than the beast is your safety," he said, getting closer. "Safety, my foot! And what kind of technology is going to help you catch this thing?" I demanded. "Technology, Flora, has given us something called a tracking device." He pulled a tiny chip from his pocket and showed it to me. "This chip will help us take the beast down for good," he said with a smirk. "How? You’re going to sew it into my dress? Alexis, you’re delusional. What if it kills me or my dress gets wet or something?" I pointed out all the flaws with this plan. But what he said next didn’t even need me to explain why it was ridiculous. "Sew it into your dress?" he laughed. "No, Flora. We’re going to implant the chip into your hand," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Implant what now?! You’ve gotta be kidding, right?" I asked, but he just shook his head 'no'. "Alexis, this is going way too damn far. You can't just put a chip in me! I’m not your lab rat. And I’m definitely not helping you hunt down that beast," I said, backing away as he came at me with the chip and a knife he’d pulled from his belt. "Alexis, what are you doing?" I asked as he kept walking towards me. "Flora, please, we can do this the hard way or the easy way." With that, I bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I was good at track, but Alexis was almost a champ. I could hear him running behind me, but I pushed myself to go faster. "Flora, wait! Flora, you don't know where you’re going!" he shouted, but I kept running, clueless about where I was headed. I didn’t know the woods at all, but Alexis knew them like the back of his hand, and I had never been here, so I had no idea if I was running towards his house or deeper into the forest. I started to slow down when I couldn’t hear Alexis’s footsteps or voice anymore, but I kept moving. I couldn’t believe he actually wanted me to be part of this, all for his own motives, but what shocked me more was the chip. He actually wanted to implant that piece of plastic in my hand. I kept walking, and the tears kept flowing, neither stopping. I walked for what felt like hours. Soon enough, the mosquitoes started really bugging me since I was wearing jean shorts. But what worried me more was that the stars were shining brightly in the sky now, and I had no clue where I was going. I had left my purse, which included my phone, in my car, and now I had no way to contact anyone. What had started as me running away from a psychotic boyfriend had now turned into me being totally lost in the middle of the forest—a forest that was hundreds of acres large and filled with dense trees. I tried to use the stars to guide me, but since I didn’t know how, I gave up after staring at the sky for about a half hour. It was quite beautiful, really—the thousands of stars dancing around the moon was a spectacular sight, especially since the stars aren’t nearly as visible with all the artificial lights in town. After walking for about another hour, my feet just gave out beneath me. I found a dry patch on the ground and sat down, leaning against a tree. I was exhausted, and my eyes started drooping as sleep began to take over. My eyes were almost closed when suddenly there was a rustling in the trees a few feet away from me. My adrenaline kicked into full gear. My eyes snapped open, and I jumped to my feet instantly. I could hear the crunching of leaves as something approached, and I prayed to God it wasn’t the psychotic Alexis. Who knew what he would do if he found me. I’d rather it be the Beast than Alexis, honestly. At least it might kill me quickly, but Alexis could just torture me and implant that stupid chip. The thing got closer and closer. My heart sank to my stomach. My hands got clammy, and I started to sweat coldly, something that happens when I’m really scared. What if it was the beast? What would it do?		FicStory		466	https://www.facebook.com/100083926423997/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437428	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/4/24, 6:29 PM	1731438336	1733358574		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433938500_2087680958262106_8640955742166336438_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=C558IaZyL_IQ7kNvgHgdLmt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYBA8W5IaMYdQquGn8vilWzBgFWaeKaOp6os027tuMc1Hg&oe=67398477	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436859	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/4/24, 6:33 PM	1731438099	1733358821		1782																										suertemall.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://suertemall.com/products/smartsunglasses			1.296321868957E+14	SuerteMall	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/454969493_1107503294322107_4907407918238422366_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BleobrXnNHgQ7kNvgEnQQd9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKoAdWt758jnWesaVY6TO8&oh=00_AYB8bIJEe7itlWlm4_xaM8vyUvHgBQhtJCNzNWyg8y1kBg&oe=6739833C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕶️ Step into the Future with These Smart Bluetooth Glasses ✅ Imagine having all your essential tech in one stylish pair of glasses. With voice control, dual microphones, and Bluetooth connectivity, your day just got a whole lot easier. 👍 Whether you’re out in the sun or on a video call, these glasses adapt to your needs with interchangeable lenses and hands-free functionality. 💪 Designed for those who value both innovation and convenience, they’re more than just a pair of sunglasses. 🛒 Elevate your everyday life with smart technology – order your smart Bluetooth glasses today! 👇 [Shop Now] https://suertemall.com/products/smartsunglasses #FutureWear #SmartTech #BluetoothGlasses		SuerteMall		56	https://www.facebook.com/61551069782926/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436566	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/4/24, 6:34 PM	1731437972	1733358867		1782																										kcheapoo.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://kcheapoo.com/products/sunglasses-4-8			4.2925693693908E+14	Kcheapoo.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464305843_514366614770761_1406814771326770039_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pC8lK27I1iMQ7kNvgF2adM3&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYBGI2bh81oklQp2hOlWvh_tny4KqL1GD4E3i_-P7kVR2g&oe=6739715C	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		📣2024 Strongest Black Technology! 😎 Glasses-type wireless earphones allow you to make calls and listen to music via Bluetooth connection! 3D high quality sound. Continuous playback for 24 hours! ✅ Glasses can change color and seamlessly switch between sunglasses and flat lenses! ✅Comfortable to wear, compatible with various types of mobile phones		Kcheapoo.com		1	https://www.facebook.com/61566815722720/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437282	1	active	11/12/24, 1:04 PM	12/4/24, 7:11 PM	1731438272	1733361103		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/tathletes_peformance			1.0658755540014E+14	tathletes_peformance	https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/448394391_6979259852176715_7152580615797410997_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=0cnjEhAKXwEQ7kNvgEdYiVS&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB-Gk88Hz-qC0YHaFuptk_SZX8kyG6SCHq_IcU8WnpsWA&oe=673980AB	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1					0		Training #speed #speedtraining #agilitytraining #athlete #athletetraining #injureprevention #boxjump #injuryrecovery #preseason #preseasontraining #football #Footballdrill #slowfeetdonteat #soccertraining #soccer #explosivetraining #functionaltraining #basketball #baseball #rugby #hipflexors #personaltrainer #sportsperformance #strengthtraining #plyometrictraining #fastfootwork #sportsperformancecoach #coaching #speedandagilitytraining #trackandfield		tathletes_peformance		0	https://www.instagram.com/_u/tathletes_peformance	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436392	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 1:05 AM	1731437903	1733382325		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2436640	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/4/24, 11:41 PM	1731438008	1733377292		1782																										greatdaysoutdoors.com	Send message			IMAGE	The 10 Commandments for Crossbow Hunters: Tips for Success	Master crossbow hunting with these 10 essential tips. Learn maintenance, practice, and how to treat your crossbow for better success.	https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/crossbow-hunting-tips/			324625144573	Great Days Outdoors	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461191780_1002288021650208_451535421637595558_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fQPlZ3rm-wcQ7kNvgFUQ2O8&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDhJhFdVWyeCvP3hlfjNCDc_Z7qRtGDhPugzo0PSn1lKw&oe=67398791	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Keep your shots close. Don’t fall into the rifleman’s mentality and try to cover as much of the woods as possible. Hunt stands that put deer within bow range. Hot acorn trees, mineral licks in the back corner of a small food plot, creek crossings, trail intersections…you know the drill.		Great Days Outdoors		29635	https://www.facebook.com/greatdaysoutdoors/	0		INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE								View Edit Delete
2436664	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 11:08 AM	1731438020	1733396881		1782																										page.joyreadings.com	Learn more			VIDEO	🔥📚《The Alpha's Voice》ALL chapters for Free！😍💞💕🔥		https://page.joyreadings.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=8727&brand=2&app=0&ppid=5102&pid=FBASC&utm_source=FBASC&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}			3.2523104068131E+14	Read the world-3	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461302663_880214867509290_1910538204015978034_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pk4yknB23xcQ7kNvgGsuv3P&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYDAiN58q0pC9K9Q1HcpU_Unxn0J3tLOGyWfX-Hji8hEtQ&oe=67396A86	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Chapter 1 CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. 👉To continue reading the story for free, download the app and search📚《The Alpha's Voice》. Enjoy Romance Now🥰		Read the world-3		712	https://www.facebook.com/61561778493802/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436698	1	active	11/12/24, 1:00 PM	12/5/24, 5:32 AM	1731438029	1733398329		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			IMAGE			http://instagram.com/arte_manzano			2.2105844129956E+14	Arte Manzano	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/459400555_1095460105327418_4449531689738661966_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Iop_YVXEY00Q7kNvgGxtl5c&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHyhSeqW2eemvJsfxAlhFLV&oh=00_AYDKXnsikd_eCc4qxlh7aTQDQ5JorLQJBe5uUgY9JjLiMA&oe=67396A87	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		DARYL DIXON - Acrylic on cardboard illustration made by #guillermomanzano . Daryl Dixon! DARYL DIXON - Acrilico sobre cartón hecho por Guillermo Manzano . #twd #normanreedus #daryl #daryldixon #thewalkingdead #thewalkingdeadart #walkingdead #amcthewalkingdead #zombies #zombie #horror #terror #illustration #illustrations #ilustracion #ilustraciones #art #arte #artemanzano #portrait #retrato #comic #comics #comicwalkingdead #ballesta #crossbow #scary #livingdead #muertosvivos . @daryldixon__twd @daryl.dixon.twd @daryldixon.normanreeduss @rideamc @normanreedusfanpages @reedus_fans @thewalkingdead @thewalkingdeadamc @fan_thewalkingdead_ @thewalkingdead @neganlucilleok @tiras.elessa @calebs_monster_closet @kab_artworks @monsters_worls @charlesreynoso @creativeartisthelp @creative_uprising @wicked_eye_candy_art @historyofcinema @historyofaction @illustration_best @illustration_daily @ilusargentinos @a_portrait_ @ilustradores_del_mundook		Arte Manzano		17859	https://www.facebook.com/ArteManzano/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436852	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/5/24, 5:37 AM	1731438095	1733398624		1782																										lesyia.com	Shop now			VIDEO	Smart Bluetooth sunglasses 👓		https://lesyia.com/products/smartsunglasses			1.6134923119972E+15	Lesyia wow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/455029094_783121247234158_1980510741797079621_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5mIN8lu5x5cQ7kNvgGh_sZV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0m75ZpI8KtfO8-WQJ8xOcsdJM_0dn-5Fj8JSHuAj7hQ&oe=6739790A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		👓😎 Upgrade your eyewear game and break into a world of possibilities with Smart Bluetooth Sunglasses.👓😎 ✅HD UV Protective Lens :Protects your eyes from harmful UV rays while driving or outdoors. ✅ Wireless Bluetooth Headset :Allows you to enjoy your music without the hassle of wires getting in the way. ✅Waterproof :Can be used in any weather condition without worrying about damage caused by water.		Lesyia wow		673	https://www.facebook.com/100064636121432/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436475	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/5/24, 5:53 AM	1731437938	1733399628		1782																										pnumaoutdoors.com	Shop Now			DCO	Pnuma Highpoint Series	Crafted with Berber Fleece and PrimaLoft Silver Insulation, this is our warmest jacket yet. Designed for stealth and comfort, High Loft Berber Fleece provides superior warmth and silence, while microfleece sleeves maintain dexterity and maneuverability.	https://pnumaoutdoors.com/products/pnuma-highpoint-jacket			1.3245122442319E+15	Pnuma Official	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465059389_1092548069142797_9200126120820130936_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VNsmkHbviAQQ7kNvgFtxsJu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYC88dltsWkfUDLcHxmIqcgWpgSDOMbdc1UyxtQtz_N99g&oe=67397370	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Defy frigid conditions with unparalleled warmth and stealth. Our Highpoint Collection is engineered to keep you silent and warm, even in the harshest cold-weather conditions.		Pnuma Official		23243	https://www.facebook.com/PnumaOfficial/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437433	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/5/24, 6:05 AM	1731438339	1733400308		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435683131_733946771920651_6246124630391577699_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zYLuz3cfwuYQ7kNvgFCKsiD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDRJJx921OKhQNbVeEatHZs6oLye5xmQYNZqNAJ6xHonA&oe=673990C8	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436625	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/5/24, 10:13 AM	1731437996	1733415219		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram profile			VIDEO			http://instagram.com/crossbow_official			1.944176612481E+15	Crossbow	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462718479_1913426049155570_3212266523597056105_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MX1QIFjPHPoQ7kNvgGCcMNF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlDxE1evcUUb2v8w8mgl_il&oh=00_AYAQ2I5eMiM2Ulzl-PaGUUogVk7zYhb3BHFl-xwb0d9mfA&oe=67397A10	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		What was it like to DJ for 1K+ people at @rockefellercenter? I think this video captures the mood perfectly😉Thank you @elibrownbeats & team for trusting me to set the stage and @project91events for having me; you guys were awesome to work with👌🏻❤️✨Who’s ready for more techno adventures soon?? Also, massive shoutout to @shvwnfvckingcooper for this really unique cinematography🙌 Track ID: Deriwo by @alosoul_bros recently out to @set_about_music #djs #djsofinstagram #elibrown #rave #raveculture #rockefellercenter #techno #technoculture #technodj #technofamily #technomusic #technoparty		Crossbow		1430	https://www.facebook.com/CrossbowNYC/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2437051	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/5/24, 6:27 PM	1731438176	1733423222		1782																											Apply now			IMAGE			https://grabgrove.site/?key=7idbm8zhk5xd7nm03d2c&asn=%7B%7Badset.name%7D%7D&pla=%7B%7Bplacement%7D%7D&adn=%7B%7Bad.name%7D%7D&son=%7B%7Bsite_source_name%7D%7D&adi=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&cai=%7B%7Bcampaign.id%7D%7D&asi=%7B%7Badset.id%7D%7D&fbpixel=4018724614932970&t1=%7B%7Bad.id%7D%7D&td=td			3.3763751610825E+14	Crossbows For you	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450940534_7348631301903740_6595873822438490442_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mCzzdR5OIFQQ7kNvgELhxYR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVOPW1nxXn0lw1Pf8MgyZma&oh=00_AYDj4VuvH_yPy8gzM1iab_vAnY4MqiT9vFZ7H45-Jy1njQ&oe=67398C6D	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Ravin offers 1 Crossbow per Household after a lawsuit over misleading advertising prices 😎 Check eligibility 👉 tinyurl.com/yn8yutf5		Crossbows For you		12	https://www.facebook.com/61561662806429/	0		APPLY_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436275	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	12/5/24, 5:19 PM	1731437853	1733440756		1782																										incendiomagicwand.com	Shop Now			DCO	Unwrap Holiday Magic with the Incendio Wand! 🎄	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.8/5 "Best X-max gift ever!"	https://incendiomagicwand.com/products/incendio-wand			1.0228810261735E+14	Incendio Magic Wand	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465859118_1288533095381263_5925533856716653409_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nMnrj3AAVccQ7kNvgGJoqGf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYAuKqQnq3NqosHDIDTzEZcoMCIx6h_T8tKtyakQsAHbcw&oe=67396D60	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Add Spark to Your Holiday Nights ✨🎄 Make this Christmas unforgettable with the Incendio Magic Wand. Imagine lighting up a cozy evening with magical fireballs—a gift that transforms any holiday gathering into a night of wonder. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone who cherishes the magic of the season. 🎅 Why Choose Incendio? 🚚 Free Shipping – Get it in time for the holidays! 🌍 50,000+ Wizards Worldwide – Join a magical community. 🎁 Best Gift of 2024 – Make memories that last beyond the season. Make Christmas magical this year! 👉 https://incendiomagicwand.com		Incendio Magic Wand		1075	https://www.facebook.com/incendiowandshop/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437186	1	active	11/12/24, 1:03 PM	12/6/24, 8:58 AM	1731438235	1733497109		1782																										instagram.com	Visit Instagram Profile			CAROUSEL			http://instagram.com/spellbound_archive			2.696203228924E+14	The Spellbound Archive	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445408230_464328772937282_6576593722077286296_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fxhtU9IBmHkQ7kNvgHK0eN4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AHIb3WgIsAhsGRojkgHXfPn&oh=00_AYAbLBn1vpuiCq-kWBk89QyiN9dEQ31EpKCqYj8S5qxeAw&oe=67397EFF	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0				The Spellbound Archive		2	https://www.facebook.com/61557003984252/	0		VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE								View Edit Delete
2436564	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/6/24, 3:22 AM	1731437971	1733476930		1782																										kcheapoo.com	Shop now			VIDEO			https://kcheapoo.com/products/sunglasses-4-8			4.2925693693908E+14	Kcheapoo.com	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463982672_1299338341092115_1231452722794400107_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FjVHBQPF1g8Q7kNvgGDWv1O&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYCwjQcJLYA9twRvr45AL1bWPh0R6M8_rFB84n-L8F1BNA&oe=67398BED	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		📣2024 Strongest Black Technology! 😎 Glasses-type wireless earphones allow you to make calls and listen to music via Bluetooth connection! 3D high quality sound. Continuous playback for 24 hours! ✅ Glasses can change color and seamlessly switch between sunglasses and flat lenses! ✅Comfortable to wear, compatible with various types of mobile phones		Kcheapoo.com		1	https://www.facebook.com/61566815722720/	0		SHOP_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437613	1	active	11/12/24, 1:06 PM	12/6/24, 8:29 AM	1731438396	1733495357		1782																										campaign.edmiston.com	Learn More			DCO	Preference 19	Start planning your charter.	https://campaign.edmiston.com/charter/			1.0897411578876E+14	EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432357478_1211314323177880_4325783941413280995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rSOUQCylZLcQ7kNvgEaBr2D&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwQdhKc0sa3TXWFai-LRCTK&oh=00_AYAsMMi0sGaVZ6C7sb4Xekd3mt7GRsGon6wU-X2IvoU91g&oe=67396F88	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		The possibilities are endless with a superyacht charter. No other holiday can compare, no other experience comes close.		EDMISTON - WORLD LEADERS IN YACHTING		8777	https://www.facebook.com/edmiston/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437408	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 8:56 AM	1731438329	1733496962		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434558424_3614469848769387_5047262944186986415_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dmJ489G6ju4Q7kNvgFCMPEH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD4VDBcmMg8S0nz4fJaJ9Cs2tk0Kul5QaMSlDB7BTAYQg&oe=67398DA6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437398	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/6/24, 1:52 PM	1731438326	1733514747		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434468888_3690261634575632_6401908243475390104_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oGf6RkCZYWoQ7kNvgGEs8pb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYBR0of7SJeEBRFx0lzCG4gllCJLXxsvOdazlLtM4-YK9w&oe=67397B23	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436968	1	active	11/12/24, 1:02 PM	12/8/24, 3:04 AM	1731438145	1733648674		1782																										fanlink.tv	Listen now			VIDEO			https://fanlink.tv/mark-wise-technobabble-30-02			3.9212158789452E+14	Mark Wise	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450777780_435054692836674_3813074383507253537_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SWI6erYwGxoQ7kNvgFAozWY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Ab0qct9liie43BGR5SrUWCh&oh=00_AYC3nDSaJLnmWisyPma6LgyzIy_L3PRvL23LHzm_kCpAbw&oe=67396FA7	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Feel the energy!⚡️⚡️ New podcast, Technobabble Vol 30, is out now on YouTube and SoundCloud! Featuring one hour of techno, industrial, and psytrance with music from Infected Mushroom UMEK Shay De Castro KMFDM Combichrist Crossbow Bassfreq Astrix Filterheadz D.A.V.E. The Drummer May Larke ELIO RISO Hernan Paredes Faderhead and more! Preview: Alan Banjo - Bazar (Horatio Remix) into Infected Mushroom - I'm the Supervisor Click "Listen Now" for the full mix! Follow me for more Technobabble every month, and let's go techno! #technomix #djmix #technopodcast #peaktimetechno #hardtechno #heavymetaltechno #TechnoMetal #industrialmusic #Aggrotech #psytrance #industrialmetal #technodj #djpodcast #markwisetechno #markwisetechnobabble		Mark Wise		4809	https://www.facebook.com/MarkWiseTechno/	0		LISTEN_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436570	1	active	11/12/24, 12:59 PM	12/8/24, 6:37 PM	1731437975	1733704622		1782																										merrithew.com	Learn more			IMAGE	Cross-Bow™ exercises for the Stability Chair™ | Merrithew Blog	Learn how to enhance strength, alignment and versatility in your practice with these innovative moves	https://www.merrithew.com/blog/post/2024-10-07/expand-your-expertise-two-exercises-you-can-perform-using-the-cross-bow-handles-for-the-stability-chair			43242573742	Merrithew	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464278199_572246125369250_1773612610086941121_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u-WG0z67lZkQ7kNvgGmjO3t&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Agqw3GoDWKZSJHh28ke6miL&oh=00_AYC8Poy83ScUQTuLVjSBa2QIeHNhzC3i3qU8uw4tw3lzVg&oe=67398E6A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		Discover two game-changing exercises you can perform using the new Cross-Bow™ Handles for the Stability Chair™. These innovative handles open up a world of possibilities to diversify your workouts and keep your clients engaged. Integrating cutting-edge Pilates equipment like Merrithew®’s Cross-Bow Handles can truly set you apart in today’s competitive market! At the upcoming Merrithew Mindful Movement Symposium, UK, you'll have the chance to immerse yourself in two new workshops featuring this exciting product, along with the latest advancements in Pilates. Head to the blog to dive deeper into the benefits and techniques!		Merrithew		138091	https://www.facebook.com/merrithew/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2437426	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/8/24, 11:27 PM	1731438336	1733722074		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435901997_875380801056523_503165323165704913_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=j0lnli7ChdoQ7kNvgEQ3WbQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD-NyjDISsW5bsMLZ5XWSzoxpJ-LamxJeLt0N7r_4nI1w&oe=6739675F	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436379	1	active	11/12/24, 12:58 PM	12/9/24, 12:31 AM	1731437897	1733725875		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465650719_8600261123361121_5066668382304327918_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogyZRIJdEJEQ7kNvgGL5bSq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANNrWzlENgyQwoFixmMjuoY&oh=00_AYCFi2FuLkfxNbDEvVbPJtszUuls-7L7p5cQi9MoNhW34w&oe=67395A76	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		🕰️ Throughout history, there was a secret Lodge that invented everything! 🕰️ They were the Masters… and their legacy is captured in The Codex. In this book, their timeless inventions come to life—from the Wheel and Compass to the Printing Press, the Steam Engine, and beyond. Each page dives into the ingenuity that built our world.The Codex is an illustrated encyclopedia 📜 of inventions, mechanisms, and concepts that transformed humanity. This book unveils how the world works with 300 vintage-inspired pages filled with intricate illustrations and stories. ⚙️ Leonardo Da Vinci’s intricate machines and designs 🩺 Avicenna’s revolutionary approach to healing ⚔️ Ancient weapons, armor, and battle tactics 🌊 Submarines, pirate navigation, and caravels on the high seas Arranged chronologically across Early Stages, Ancient Period, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Modernity, and The Future, this book connects us with the minds that built the modern world. 🔒 Preorder now on Kickstarter to get a special early bird discount and a free gift from Rebel Thinkers! 🎁 ➡️ https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437415	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 5:28 AM	1731438331	1733743739		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435399974_389446827289421_4894376704931443124_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wfV9acY3r7wQ7kNvgFd1Wd2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYD3JuHPGa7Mhuk_-oCHL7GkwckqrMA6fumJoRYbXbwL-w&oe=67396990	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436310	1	active	11/12/24, 12:57 PM	6/13/25, 8:33 AM	1731437867	1749821601		1782																										subscribepage.io	Sign Up			DCO	🔥 Coming Soon on Kickstarter – 60% OFF! 🎉		https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers			4.4123366574317E+14	The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465914564_585169837200856_3601854427314216505_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZhY3jjenWZcQ7kNvgFidbda&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A_7hJeayvxNcytU4OIolRtx&oh=00_AYB2xhhrWGRXIvoZUHv9iasRzAEItJBqmT5ubntxpuglsw&oe=67396294	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		✨ Launching Soon on Kickstarter ✨ From Da Vinci’s machines to Tesla’s marvels, The Codex covers it all!📚 Join now for 47% OFF and be a part of history. 👉 https://subscribepage.io/rebel-thinkers		The Codex. Inventions of the Human Mind		3695	https://www.facebook.com/61567353086751/	0		SIGN_UP								View Edit Delete
2437405	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	12/9/24, 9:38 PM	1731438328	1733801917		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			IMAGE	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/423582667_3435600893252216_1589940012388866736_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m_IKSq0YUYQQ7kNvgHsnkHK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMKTW00Lapy4kpmUDjaTto0&oh=00_AYATXCchOo7-yxOusZiR8PGp509D5VAVotAxNTk1-wu-7g&oe=6739763A	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.”		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete
2436823	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/9/24, 9:54 PM	1731438082	1733802849		1782																										jangebot.com	Order Now			DCO	Jangebot™ Smart Bluetooth Audio Glasses	Super SALE-60%OFF!!✨	https://www.jangebot.com/products/jangebot%E2%84%A2-smart-bluetooth-audio-glasses			1.1463944150917E+14	SuperJangebot	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456280326_1645423929646046_893105557484204534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt25yEs05AQ7kNvgGH3nIS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0CHuaj1974IHx7Xgb0P5gbX1bLkuugodtP650VPth8g&oe=67397EB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"The glasses have a pretty sleek design I noticed that they are durable at the front the polarized lenses look great the sound quality is pretty good allowing you to stay sware of your surroundings it's a great feature for outdoor activities also you can awser calls without having to grab your phone. The battery life isn't bad for this product it can last you a good few hours the controls are pretty great they are simple and convenient overall I'd say this product is great for the price."--B E. Hurry up and get for you or a gift for your family or friends here👉https://shorturl.at/Eu9jv		SuperJangebot		10	https://www.facebook.com/100089362984665/	0		ORDER_NOW								View Edit Delete
2436826	1	active	11/12/24, 1:01 PM	12/10/24, 4:23 AM	1731438083	1733826210		1782																										jangebot.com	Order Now			DCO	Jangebot™ Smart Bluetooth Audio Glasses	Super SALE-60%OFF!!✨	https://www.jangebot.com/products/jangebot%E2%84%A2-smart-bluetooth-audio-glasses			1.1463944150917E+14	SuperJangebot	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/456280326_1645423929646046_893105557484204534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3bt25yEs05AQ7kNvgGH3nIS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AahxdQXzcHLhS2Ae-8YAOch&oh=00_AYB0CHuaj1974IHx7Xgb0P5gbX1bLkuugodtP650VPth8g&oe=67397EB9	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		"The glasses have a pretty sleek design I noticed that they are durable at the front the polarized lenses look great the sound quality is pretty good allowing you to stay sware of your surroundings it's a great feature for outdoor activities also you can awser calls without having to grab your phone. The battery life isn't bad for this product it can last you a good few hours the controls are pretty great they are simple and convenient overall I'd say this product is great for the price."--B E. Hurry up and get for you or a gift for your family or friends here👉https://shorturl.at/Eu9jv		SuperJangebot		10	https://www.facebook.com/100089362984665/	0		ORDER_NOW								View Edit Delete
2437446	1	active	11/12/24, 1:05 PM	6/2/25, 10:50 PM	1731438344	1748922645		1782																										cdn.joylitnovel.com	Learn more			VIDEO	👇 Click here to continue reading		https://cdn.joylitnovel.com/pages/aae98514-07be-4ed9-91fd-7d3b91cd671e.html?p0=10n5m3ce&p1={{campaign.name}}&p2={{campaign.id}}&p3={{adset.name}}&p4={{adset.id}}&p5={{ad.name}}&p6={{ad.id}}			1.1887932116914E+14	Popular Novels	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435871294_268780336201714_7090718203150770316_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=TUC7cJIGYEQQ7kNvgHby_Hp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AlD-LInm_vOahSbGbjLflTA&oh=00_AYDbjEK0iSWugHCPteILtOV-ueCp19hOu997DNzVppBuIQ&oe=673965E6	PERSON_PROFILE	0					0		CLAUDIA. “Attention, calling all maids to the throne room.” I freeze as the announcement blares through the speakers. I’m in the maid’s quarters, looking for something in my drawers, and I have to admit that this is an interruption. My friend Maia, another maid, watches me with boredom as the announcement continues to echo in the room. “Give it up, Claudia. Stop trying to prove that you were friends with the Alpha King when you were kids. You’re a maid and what would Alpha Achilles want to do with you?” I don’t answer her. I just flip over my bottom drawer until all my socks fall out. But along with the socks comes a small folded parchment, containing the words, “To Claudia, from Achilles.” “Aha!” I shove the paper right into her hands. “Feast on that.” Maia rolls her eyes, but she just reads it aloud. “Dear Claudia, I hope this note finds you well. I refused to open the door for you because I believe I made things clear. We are no longer friends.” She chucks the paper at me. “How old is this note?” My face heats up. “Maybe eighteen years?” “So he sent that to you when he was twelve and you were… six?” “Yes,” I mutter, pocketing the note. “It’s important to me, okay?” She laughs at me. “Why? Because you’re hoping you could be close again? He’s the Alpha King now, Claudia. And our duty is to keep this place and the people running. Get over yourself and let’s go before we get thrown out.” Everything she said was right. It’s a stupid thing to hold onto, but I can’t let it go. Even when Maia drags me to the throne room, I find myself bursting with hope. All the maids are now gathered for some sort of meeting, and instead of worrying about what it’s for, I’m craning my neck, trying to look at the golden thrones on the dais. But the only person I find standing there is Beta Carlos, a tanned, dark-haired unit of a man who handles everything minor for Alpha Achilles. He surveys the room with indifference, as a person of his standing usually does, clearing his throat before speaking. “I gathered you all here because we need one maid to come with us to the Moonlight Grove Pack for the annual winter solstice meeting tonight. Since we are short-staffed, we decided to see if anyone volunteers first.” I wait for hands to shoot into the air, but there are only whispers rippling among the crowd. The maids are all avoiding Beta Carlos’s eyes as though they would evaporate if they made eye contact with him. I understand why. Rogue attacks have been notorious lately. Our pack, Sangria Amori, is the biggest and the strongest, which is the reason why we haven’t experienced any breaches yet. But the smaller packs have, and it’s enough for some of our maids to quit to be with their families. The only ones who are stuck here are the single maids or the ones who are desperate for money. Then you have people like me, loyal servants for generations. Beta Carlos’s frustration is clear now. He opens his mouth to say something but he stops when the curtains behind him suddenly open. And out comes the Alpha King himself, Achilles. The world stops. My heart picks up its pace, beating so fast that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I stare at him as he stands next to Beta Carlos, towering over him by half a foot. Everyone inside the room sinks into a bow, but I don’t. I can’t. The only thing I can do is stare at him. It’s like he has his own gravitational pull on me. I’m unable to look away from the shiny waves of his black hair and the coolness of his blue eyes. Despite the raging snow outside, his skin has a touch of gold, complimenting the bloodred coat he’s wearing. His presence is almost divine. Even the chandelier lights from above seem to be drawn to him. As though it can’t get any better, he meets my eyes. And just like that, I raise my hand. “I volunteer to come to the solstice meeting.” “What are you thinking?” Maia hisses at me, trying to tug at my uniform to get me to lower my hand. But Beta Carlos already saw me. Alpha Achilles did too. However, his face darkens with disapproval. I clear my throat and speak louder. “I volunteer! I will serve—” “Claudia, is it?” Beta Carlos interjects. “Have you forgotten that our Alpha King… can’t hear you?” The silence that follows is almost loud. Loud enough to make my ears pop. Only then do I realize my mistake. Alpha Achilles is deaf and mute. For some reason, this has also affected his ability to mind-link. These are details that I shouldn’t be forgetting, but then again, he and I have a history, and he didn’t use to be that way. We played together a lot as kids. He would take me to the forests behind the palace so we could pretend to spar. We were inseparable, until one night. All I can remember was waking up in the infirmary dripping wet and cold. Achilles wasn’t with me, but I was told he was in his room. I didn’t know what happened, and I still don’t. But the first day I tried to visit him in his room was when I received his note. Fast forward six years. He was eighteen, I was twelve. He got crowned as the next Alpha King. He could no longer hear or speak. Some say it was a curse from the Moon Goddess. Some say it was a developing disease in his body that reached its peak. It’s been twelve years since that reveal. He’s thirty now, and I’m twenty-four. No one knows the truth yet. I want to tell him that I’m sorry through sign language, but I don’t know how. He just turns to Beta Carlos and shakes his head ever so subtly. He doesn’t want me to come. Beta Carlos swallows. “Claudia… would you come up here, please? The rest are dismissed.” As I make my way to the dais, the maids start to file out of the throne room. Maia catches my eyes for a second and shakes her head, but I continue to walk until I’m standing in front of them. “No one else wants to come,” I point out in a shaky voice. “I… I want to go. I want to help.” Beta Carlos looks at Alpha Achilles pointedly. I don’t know what kind of communication is happening between them, but it seems that Beta Carlos is urging him to give it a chance, probably because they have no other choice. Alpha Achilles doesn’t seem to want to, but in the end, he relents and stands close to me. So close that I can catch his scent. So close that I can see the flecks of green in his eyes. So close that he can kiss me if he wants to. My breath hitches in my throat. Longing fills my heart. How many times have I wished this to happen? I want to say so much to him. I feel like so much time has been stolen from us. Our friendship was so amazing…. “I will do well,” I whisper. “I won’t let you down.” Alpha Achilles stares at me for a couple more seconds, then he just turns around and walks away. Beta Carlos sighs and starts to follow him, turning to me at the last second as though I’m an afterthought. “Follow me.” I run after him through the tunnel behind the throne room, but his long legs are carrying him so far and I have to jog to keep up. Finally, we arrive at the back lawn of the palace. The cold hits me like a punch in the gut, but Beta Carlos tosses me a fur coat. I wriggle into it as a carriage pulls up in front of us, with a sleek red and gold body, pulled by two palomino horses. “Get in,” he says blandly, and I climb into the carriage with him behind me. Alpha Achilles is already inside, staring through the window, completely ignoring my presence. I try to communicate with him, but Beta Carlos gets in and pushes me into the corner as the carriage starts to move. The seats are cushioned and the walls are upholstered with red velvet, but I still get hurt as the carriage basically leaps and crashes on the cold snowy ground. The horses are running at full speed, which I understand, because we are about two hours until dusk, and Moonlight Grove Pack is one hour away. The coachman whips the horses, rallying them into a frenzied sprint faster than before. I gasp as I fly off my seat. I thought things would settle after a while, but something seemed to be off. The horses are whinnying. The silent path is now riddled with a mix of thuds and heavy breaths. A strange smell permeates the air. A putrid stench, a mix of rot and blood and savagery. The scent of Rogues. $Chapter Chapter 2 CLAUDIA. Fear grips my throat like a vice. I look over at Alpha Achilles and Beta Carlos, and it seems that they noticed the stench too. “We’re being followed,” Beta Carlos tells me. “When I tell you to hide, you hide, alright? We will outrun them and kill them at the same time.” I just nod, paralyzed in the corner as growls and howls start to fill the air. This isn’t my first time to encounter Rogues. I ran into a small pack of them once when I was one of the maids assigned to do the shopping for the palace. This was two years ago, but I still remember it so vividly. Our carriage, much older and less stable than this one, passed by their hideout, and I managed to catch a glimpse of five Rogues tearing apart a dead guard in uniform. The first thing that hit me was the smell. The distinct combination of decay and fresh death. It was in the air like a bad perfume. Strangely enough, it was so fitting with the scene laid out in front of me. As they broke into the meat of the guard, the smell seemed to get stronger. I wasn’t able to eat meat for months. Even now, it still repulses me sometimes. Since then, armed deliveries have been made to the palace. But I will never forget. In fact, the whole scene is flashing in my mind now as Alpha Achilles opens a chest at the side of the seats. He pulls out a silver crossbow with a quiver of arrows. Beta Carlos opens the windows, and Alpha Achilles sticks his entire upper body out, firing the bow with unimaginable strength as the carriage moves faster. I didn’t want to look, but I turned around and stared through the back window. There are about a dozen Rogues running after us, snarling and biting and wandering just too close to the carriage. But one by one, the big black Rogues start to falter. The closest ones are hit directly in the eye, the silver arrow piercing right through their skulls and instantly killing them. Alpha Achilles continues to shoot them all down. As more of them topple, more Rogues start to back off. Eventually, the path behind us is clear. But the smell lingers in the air. “There’s more of them around,” I whisper, and Beta Carlos looks at me. “You’re right.” Alpha Achilles slides back into the carriage, slamming the window shut. He looks enraged. I can almost feel it emanating from him as he throws the bow and arrows back into the chest and kicks it back into place. He slides a map toward the coachman, who slows down for a few miles and then completely swerves in a different direction. I want to ask what’s wrong, but when even Beta Carlos looks wary, it’s best to be quiet. We sit in that awful silence for a couple more moments. The coachman is really pushing it, whipping the horses more and more frequently. But since we changed routes, we arrive at the meeting after three hours. The big iron gates open for us, and I see the gigantic wall surrounding the pack. The pack mansion looms into view. Men in black uniforms are carrying silver weapons, staring at our carriage as it pulls up. We jump out of the carriage and run into the mansion, and standing in the foyer are the other Alphas. Alpha Tristan of the hosting pack, a brutish monster of a man with copper-colored hair and gray eyes, steps forward. “You’re late,” he spits out at Alpha Achilles. “We were expecting you more than an hour ago. Do you simply not respect anyone else’s time?” Alpha Achilles turns to Beta Carlos to sign his response and have him relay it. I’m about to step aside when I suddenly hear a voice in my mind, loud and clear: 'Tell him we had to find another route because of the Rogues around his pack.' My heart drops. I turn back around, and I realize that the exact thing I heard is what Beta Carlos is relaying to the group now. “Alpha Achilles wishes to inform everyone that we had to find another route, seeing as there were Rogues around the property.” I freeze. Did I just hear Alpha Achilles mind-link his words to me? I blink hard to shake off the possibility of hallucination, but nothing happens. I know I heard him. I know that was him. Alpha Tristan scoffs. “There are no Rogues here. We drove them all back. We killed all of them. One can even say that my pack is now safer than yours, Alpha Achilles.” Needless to say, Alpha Achilles does not take that well. He squares up against Alpha Tristan, his lips pulled back in a snarl. He motions something to Beta Carlos, who goes pale. He shakes his head, telling him that he can’t understand. But I can. I hear the voice in my head again. ‘You’re a liar. You didn’t kill a single Rogue. Your pack is in danger, and you’re too high up in your ass to admit it.’ I can understand Alpha Achilles. I can hear his voice when no one else can. “Well?” Alpha Tristan prompts. “What is he saying?” Beta Carlos still doesn’t understand, and Alpha Achilles is visibly frustrated now. The other Alphas are starting to whisper among themselves, obviously not pleased by this inconvenience. “What is he saying?” they keep asking, while Beta Carlos is red-faced, trying desperately to communicate. I know I should probably shut up. My job here in the first place is to assist in the meeting, a mere delivery girl for snacks and anything else that the Alphas might need. But I just can’t help seeing the helpless hint in Alpha Achilles’s eyes when no one can understand what he’s saying. So I step forward, relaying the words I just heard. “Alpha Achilles said that you’re a liar. The Rogues are alive, and you’re too arrogant to admit it.” The entire room goes silent. The Alphas are at a standstill, all looking at me with varying expressions of shock. The world seems to freeze for a moment as I slowly come to the realization that I messed up. “I’m so sorry,” I quickly amend. “I… I just heard the Alpha King—” “Heard?” Alpha Tristan echoes. “You heard him? He’s mute, you imbecile!” The other Alphas laugh. I lower my head, but as I do so, I catch sight of Alpha Achilles looking at me. His eyes are wide with shock, but I’m surprised to find just a tiny hint of fascination in there amid the rage. That minuscule drop of positive attention almost made me forget the heaviness of the words I just said for him, but the other Alphas didn’t. Especially Alpha Tristan. “Get this little bitch out of my sight,” he splutters. “If she dares to speak a single word, I will shut her up myself.” My heart stops. Beta Carlos approaches me as quick as lightning, ushering me back into the carriage. But then, Alpha Achilles steps in between us and grabs me by the arm. Once again, his voice rings in my head. ‘Touch her, and I will chop your head off.’ “What is this?” Alpha Tristan demands. “What’s he saying this time?” Beta Carlos swallows hard. “He wishes to say that if you touch the girl, he will chop your head off.” I thought that the silence earlier was bad enough, but this time it ends up being inexplicably worse. It’s the silence that makes it feel like the walls are closing in on me, suffocating me. I can almost hear the snow falling outside, gathering on the windows. The Alphas are now looking at me with expressions I can’t read, and I feel like it would be better if they just glared at me. Alpha Achilles pushes me behind him, standing in front of me protectively. His scent immediately invades my senses, and I have to consciously make an effort to focus as I hear his voice. 'If you really can hear me, then you can be of use,' he says, and even though his tone is neutral, even cold, I find myself eager to help. 'Tell Tristan that his pride won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around his pack, and they need to be dealt with. Tell him to stop being a pussy and do something about it.' The bluntness of those words makes me gasp out loud. “I have to tell him that?” “Tell me what?” Alpha Tristan demands. “Speak for him, if that is what he wishes to do!” “Speak!” the other Alphas urge me, and I look at Alpha Achilles helplessly. “He says that your pride, Alpha Tristan,” I begin nervously, “won’t erase the fact that Rogues are present around your pack and they need to be dealt with.” I pause, swallowing hard. “And you should stop being a pussy and do something about it.” Saying that was like dropping a bomb. The Alphas suddenly rush forward, complaining about the words as though they came from me. “Respectfully,” Alpha Tristan growls, “get out of my pack.” Alpha Achilles smirks, but he starts to walk away, keeping me away from Alpha Tristan. Beta Carlos looks like he wants to protest, but it’s over. The meeting didn’t happen not because we were late, but because no one wanted to listen. However, before we can even make it through the door, loud sirens begin to ring inside the meeting room, echoing in the halls and in the whole pack. Alpha Tristan freezes. “We are under attack.” $Chapter Chapter 3 ACHILLES. The strong vibrations on the ground tell me that the sirens are still ringing. I know that Tristan told me to leave, and a part of me wants to make good on this so he would learn his lesson, but I refuse to put any of his people in danger just because their leader can’t swallow his pride. Instead of leaving with Claudia and Carlos, I beckoned the Alphas to come forward and fight. Thankfully, they don’t question me this time. Even Tristan marches out with them, not bothering to look at me. “What are we going to do, Alpha?” Carlos asks. 'We are going to fight,' I tell him through signing. 'The Rogues must be in their borders now, and we can’t let them get in. You and I are going to get out there, fight them from the outside, and stop them from breaking through.' Carlos nods, and I finally turn to Claudia. 'You stay here. No matter what happens, don’t leave.' “But….” she starts to protest, but then she swallows hard and relents. “I will.” With that, Carlos and I leave the room, shifting into our Wolf forms as soon as we hit the fields outside the pack mansion. Thick snow is now covering the ground, with more raining down from the slate blue sky. Light fog is shrouding the land, making the lifeless trees look like cruel thin hands thrust into the sky, but I can still see the battle going on in the distance. The Alphas and the patrol guards are keeping the Rogues at bay, because the stone walls that surround the pack are now chipped and damaged on one side, providing a point of entry for the enemy. Carlos and I leap across another section of the wall, landing on the thick forest outside the pack. It’s a lot darker here, colder, but the near absence of anything makes me feel strangely more connected. Even when the first line of Rogues sees us and starts to attack, I find myself fighting back seamlessly. I push back the Rogues trying to tackle me, swatting them with my paws and crushing them under. The thing about Rogues is their number. That’s how they succeed in taking over the packs since they started their revolution two years ago. As the Alpha King, I tried peace talks with them. I tried to hear their demands and find a middle ground, but they were never open to that. They just attacked mindlessly in the hopes of weakening us enough to submit. However, they are weak. If their necks get bitten, or if their chests get damaged, they’re basically as good as dead. So that’s what I do know. Every time they charge, I pin them to the ground and crush their ribs under my paws. I bite the others, always aiming for their necks. Their smell is thick in the air, making it easy for me to sense where they are and where they’re coming next even though I can’t hear them. Once their blood is shed, they freeze on the ground, unmoving and unable to attack again. But more and more of them are coming. Still, I’m in my element, and I know that I can take them all down. It took years for me to become confident in fighting again. Since that Rogue attack when I was twelve, I’ve grown fearful and limited. When I found out that I lost my voice and my hearing, it felt like my life ended. All the things I used to love doing became looming monsters that I had to overcome. My father was the one who came to my rescue. He taught me how to fight again, to use my other senses to make up for the fact that I can’t call for backup, I can’t command anyone, and I can’t hear what’s going on around me. And I have gotten good. So good in fact that I could take down troops of Rogues all by myself. I gained the respect of the other Alphas because of it too. But what happened today reminds me that even after this adjustment, I’m still as limited as before. When Carlos couldn’t understand me, I felt as small and as voiceless as I did eighteen years ago. The only thing that saved me from sinking low was Claudia. I still don’t know how she did it. I still don’t know how or why I hear her voice in my head, melodious and clear and refreshing, after years of not being able to hear anything else. It’s like her presence pierced through every weakness I have and made it her own, alleviated it, allowed me room to breathe. And now I feel like I have to be close to her. More Rogues attack, trying to crowd around me to limit my movements. I push all of them back, keeping them in front of me where I can see them and rounding them all up until they fall into crumpled heaps under my feet. I’m winning. Adrenaline is rushing through my veins like a drug, and I’m getting high just off the thought of another victory. I begin to move faster, breaking through their ranks until the others are too afraid to approach. It feels like I have no disability at all…. Until I feel a familiar whoosh of energy behind my back. I turn around just in time. I see a Rogue flying midair with its teeth bared and ready to bite. I freeze, petrified at how close it is and how I didn’t sense it. And that’s my biggest mistake of the night. Seemingly out of nowhere, Carlos swerves into view and wedges himself between me and the Rogue, taking the bite that was supposed to be for me. Only when the Rogue tackles him down do I remember to move. I claw at it, scratching its face and leaving long and deep gashes. It backs away with a whimper, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Time seems to slow down, to stop, even. Blood pools around Carlos’s neck like a halo. “Alpha…” I see his mouth move. His eyes are becoming unfocused, and I can almost feel him panting in pain. “Alpha, go back to the mansion.” I shake my head. I make my way towards him, stumbling, but the vibrations on the ground suggest that the battle is still going. My vision is blurred now. All I can see is the blood. All of my senses have shut down, so much so that I don’t feel the Rogues crowding around us until I catch their scent. They’re coming at me from all sides now, and all I can do is push them away from Carlos. My heart is frozen in my chest in fear. Every second that passes feels like a missed opportunity to get him the help he needs. I keep pushing the Rogues back, but my concentration is gone. The fact that I can’t hear or call for help is catching up to me. I get scratches all across my arms, my chest, my face…. Until their weight finally holds me down. I shift into my human form to avoid getting crushed, but I can’t protect Carlos anymore. I’m trying to pull him to his feet, but we’re stuck…. But then the Rogues start to scatter just as a sweet, warm scent invades my nostrils. I look up, and I find Claudia standing before us, driving the Rogues back. $Chapter Chapter 4 ACHILLES. Claudia shifts into a beautiful bronze-colored wolf, breaking through the group of Rogues and scattering them. This time, they don’t return or retaliate. They just scamper away. With that, she reverts back to her human form and starts to lead me and Carlos away from the battle. I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow gets us out of there and back into the front of the mansion. Perhaps I’m just reeling from what happened. Perhaps I’m just being thick. Either way, when I come back down to earth, I see that she’s already propping Carlos against one of the columns, tearing off the hem of her skirt to stem the flow of blood in his neck. Only when I see her whispering to him do I realize what exactly happened. She… saved both of us. After I told her to stay inside the meeting room no matter what. The first emotion that floods my chest is anger. She didn’t follow my command. She just went ahead and did what she wanted. But the next thing that follows that wave of rage is something I’m not ready to acknowledge: appreciation. A rush of affection. Disbelief that she came to my aid when I needed it the most and most likely single-handedly saved Carlos’s life when I wasn’t capable of doing so. Still, the first thing that I think of saying is, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Unsurprisingly, she hears it. She wheels around on me with indignation on her face. “You told me you needed my help. So I fought off the guards to save you. What I deserve right now is a thank you, not whatever this is.” I get up and try to reason with her, but then I see a big shadow looming over us. Claudia suddenly sinks into her knees for a bow. I turn around and see Alpha Tristan, covered in Rogue blood. His eyes find Claudia, flashing with an expression I can’t read. But when he looks at me, what he feels is clear enough, and that is pure and utter distaste. The battle seems to be over, and there are a couple of wounded Alphas and patrol guards being assisted into the mansion. I try to get up and help, but Tristan puts a hand on my chest despite me being half a foot taller than him, stopping me with a glare. “Don’t even dare,” he mutters. “I am tired of your selfishness. I am tired of the absolute disrespect you show to our people. For the past two years since this revolution started, you have approached this with only yourself and your pack in mind. What about us? What about the other people who are suffering, the ones who are much, much lower in rank?” I can’t hear his voice, but I can read his lips, and every single thing he says hits me like a punch in the gut. I want to say something. I want to tell him that it was not like that, that it was never like that at all. I have kept every single citizen in his land in mind whenever I charged for battle. That’s why I preferred to have an active role instead of doling out commands. However, I can’t help but feel a sting of truth behind his words. In a lot of ways, he’s right. The only fighting strategy I know is fighting alone or with Carlos. That’s not always going to work. Like tonight. I took him away from the main event of the fight and encouraged him to fight on the sidelines with me. And look where that got him. Wounded and broken, trying to protect me from a threat I didn’t hear expect because I couldn’t hear anything. Suddenly, the old shame of being deaf and mute comes back. I have spent years trying my best to be okay with my condition, and I have come to a point where I thought I was making the most of my abilities. I never thought I would be thrust back into feeling like none of the growth I made mattered. Around us, the wounded Alphas and Betas get visited by healers, carefully urged back into the safety and warmth of the mansion. I can’t bear to even look at them. I feel like everything is my fault. Tristan for sure feels like it is. He walks around me like I’m just his disobedient child. “Leaving in the middle of battle is a disgrace. You are the Alpha King, and you should act like it. The safety of our people should always come before yours or anyone close to you. What you did—” “Pardon, Alpha Tristan,” Claudia suddenly says. Tristan looks at her like he wants to take her head off and throw it across the mountains, and all my instincts rise into protective mode. I try to get in between them, but Claudia stands in front of Tristan and squares up against him. I can tell that she’s scared. She keeps kneading her hands, which are still slick with Carlos’s blood. Her breathing is uneven, and I can tell that she would rather hide, but for some reason, she’s facing him in this strange challenge. “You’re interrupting me again,” he notes in disbelief before glaring at me. “You should train this pet of yours.” I make a move to push him, but Claudia catches my arm and shoves me back. “Alpha Tristan, it was me who took them back to the mansion. It’s not right for you to talk to the Alpha King this way, and—” 'Don’t do it,' I warn her. 'Don’t cross him.' Claudia doesn’t listen. “What you’re doing is disrespectful. No one is gravely hurt, and we should be glad that--” “Out,” Tristan interjects. “Get out of my pack, and never show yourselves ever again. I'm banning the Alpha King and anyone from his side from Moonlight Grove Pack.” She opens her mouth as though to protest, but I just grab her shoulder and pull her back as Tristan pushes past her and enters the mansion. Then, his guards start to close the doors, barring us from ever entering. She blinks hard as though she can’t believe it happened that way. She slowly faces me. “I’m sorry.” I don’t listen to her. I just beckon Carlos to follow me, and off we go back to our pack. The awkwardness inside the carriage back home is almost tangible, with the three of us facing each other. I can’t even look at Claudia. The disappointment and rage brewing inside me need a release. I know that part of it is my fault, but there is only one reason why we were kicked out and shut down just like that. 'Take him to the infirmary,' I sign to the guards as soon as we arrive, and they all guide Carlos up the stairs. When Carlos looks at me questioningly, I communicate to him, 'I will be here for a while.' Claudia tries to get up the stairs, but I hold my arm out and block her way. She looks up at me in fear, and I stand in front of her. “If this is about what happened….” she begins, but I shake my head to cut her off. 'I don’t know how you can hear me,' I say coldly, 'and I don’t know how I can hear you. It must be some kind of freak connection between us because we were close as kids, but those days are gone. You and I don’t mix anymore, and that’s how it should be. You have no business speaking for me. You have no business putting words in my mouth.' She swallows hard. “I only wanted to direct his anger at myself, not you.” That takes me a little aback, but I shake my head. My decision is already set. I look down at Claudia, holding her gaze. 'Once daylight sets in, I want you to leave the palace and find another home to serve. We are now parting ways.' $Chapter Chapter 5 CLAUDIA. My chest goes hard, as though my body is slowly turning into stone. I look up at Alpha Achilles, blinking rapidly and trying hard to focus despite the growing pain in my heart, desperately wishing I heard wrong. But Alpha Achilles just stares down at me. "I can't leave," I tell him, my lips barely moving. In fact, my face feels numb. "I... this is the only home I know." His face stays stoic. Unmoved. 'It doesn't matter. Moonlight Grove is the biggest pack next to ours, and I lost their loyalty.' I shake my head. "I did it for you. I spoke for you. When no one understood you, I did. And I made sure everyone else did too. The only reason I talked to Tristan is because I wanted him to punish me for taking you away. Why are you doing this to me?" I take a step closer to him, and he steps back, determined to keep the distance between us. Eventually, he turns away from me like he can't bear to look me in the eye. At first, I think that it's just because he can't stand to look at me, but the longer we stand here, the more I understand that it's because he doesn't want me to see something. "Tell me," I urge him. "What's the problem? You know it's not my fault." 'It doesn't matter,' he finally says. 'It has to end here. I'm sorry, Claudia.' The finality in his tone breaks what's remaining in my heart. My breath hitches in my throat and I find myself opening and closing my mouth, struggling to find the right words to tell him that I don't want to go, that I shouldn't. But nothing comes to mind. For the first time in my life, I don't know what to say. He turns around to leave, and every fiber of my being tells me to come after him. Maybe even to stop him. But my body is already frozen in place. The only thing I can do is watch him leave. He walks back to the palace, and I stand outside for I don't know how long. Snow rains down on me, flocking on my hair and my lashes. I don’t know what I’m waiting for, to be honest. Am I expecting him to come back and retract his words? Because a part of me definitely wishes he would. A bigger part of me knows he won’t. When I see a figure approaching, I immediately think that it's Alpha Achilles, coming back to take back what he said. It’s hard to see in the snow, so I try to meet him halfway. But it’s only Gamma Kiernan. His golden blond hair shimmers in the dim light as he peers at me. “Claudia? What are you doing out here in the cold? It’s the start of the Solstice Festival tomorrow, you should be preparing with the rest of the staff.” I almost say that I’ll be on it, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is, “I don’t work for the pack anymore, Gamma. I am to leave tomorrow, as what’s ordered by Alpha Achilles.” “What?” His expression darkens. “We can’t afford to kick out more staff now, not with everyone leaving because of the revolution….” He holds up a hand. “I will talk to him. Just get inside.” I follow his order, but every step back to the maid’s quarters feels like a big hand digging into my insides and scooping everything out. By the time I get back to my room, I’m already empty. Empty enough to start packing everything I ever owned. * * * ACHILLES. Letting go of Claudia is the right choice. It has to be. I should have known that it wasn’t good news, the fact that she could hear me and I could hear her. The moment I felt that rush of affection for her when she tried to stand up to Tristan on my behalf, I knew that it would only be right to release her…. Or at least, this is what I keep saying to myself as I lay in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the moon through the window and replaying the moments of fascination and shame from tonight. I wish there was a way to erase them all. How long I lie there awake, I don’t know. But the only reason I finally fall asleep is because my body gives way to exhaustion. And soon, the dreams come. In my dream, I’m back beyond the borders of Moonlight Grove Pack. But this time, I’m alone. Carlos is not around. The Rogues aren’t present either. The only thing in front of me is a frozen lake, shining like a mirror under the dark sky. And standing in the middle of the lake is a beautiful woman with stark white hair and gray eyes. Her skin is so pale that it’s almost blue. Her dress is bright white, pearlescent and glowing, billowing in the air even in the absence of a breeze. It’s the Moon Goddess, and she’s staring at me. We haven’t communicated before. She hasn’t shown up in my dreams, but I’ve seen countless paintings of her before, and heard so many stories about her showing up in pivotal moments. Perhaps this is mine. My nerves jump, but I sink to my knees, my breath fogging up in front of me. “Rise, my child,” she says. Even though she’s a deity, I still can’t hear her voice. I can only read her lips. “Dark times are ahead, and they loom closer and closer to you with every second that passes. Just tonight, you have suffered a great loss.” I don’t get up. 'I have done my best. I protected the people—' “Exactly,” the Moon Goddess interjects, walking across the frozen lake with the water still moving underneath. Her feet aren’t touching the ice. “That was your victory tonight, even with the parting of your ally. Your loss came much later.” 'I’m afraid I don’t understand,' I sign to her. 'The battle ended there.' “No.” She stops right in front of me, reaching out to touch my cheek. “You wished to find a way to expand your limits, and I gave it to you. But you pushed it away.” I stare at her, trying to decode what she means. I desperately want to make sense of it, to not waste the valuable time I have with her, but nothing is clicking. “I put her on your path for a reason,” she continues. “And you wanted none of it.” Suddenly, the Moon Goddess’s face starts to change, morphing like molten wax until it forms a new set of features. A face that is all too familiar. Claudia. She starts to speak again, but this time, I hear her voice—Claudia’s voice—echoing in my head like a prophecy. “I am the Siren, the Alpha’s Voice, and I shall be heard.” $Chapter Chapter 6 ACHILLES. I wake up with a gasp, sitting up abruptly like a marionette whose strings got yanked. My head starts to spin, but it’s not because there was no gentle introduction to the waking world. It’s because of the dream. Because of Claudia. I clutch my chest and feel that my heart is going haywire. My back is slick with sweat and I can almost feel it soaking my sheets. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts, but the first thing I see in the darkness is Claudia’s face. Her voice is ringing in my ears, the first voice I have heard in so many years. She’s the Siren, the Moon Goddess said. The Alpha’s Voice. What does that mean? What does it have to do with me? What does that make her? I have more questions than answers and the frustration building up inside me is turning into anger. I don’t want that. I have to focus. Because if there is one thing I know, it’s that I fucked up by demanding her to leave. And I need to get her back. Fueled by the sudden fiery desire to chase after her and hold her down in the castle if I need to, I jump out of bed. I push open the door and startle the guards. I can see them mouthing, “What is the trouble, Alpha?” I ignore all of them. I just run along the hallway until I find Kiernan’s room. The guards step aside when they see me, so I push open the door, stumbling inside like a sweaty, clumsy ogre. Meanwhile, Kiernan is still awake, staring through the window. My heart sinks when I see that it’s already daylight outside, but I still have to try. I need to. Kiernan turns around, frowns at me, and asks, “Your Majesty. What brings you here?” He knows that it irks me when he calls me that, but I ignore it anyway. 'I need to find the maid, Claudia.' I thought he would ask why, but he just narrows his eyes. “The maid you kicked out last night? I found her in the freezing cold, just staring into the distance like she couldn’t believe what happened. I actually told her I would talk to you about it, but when I got to your room, you were already asleep.” His words hit me like arrows to the heart. I can almost picture Claudia standing where I left her, crying and wondering what she did wrong, all the while I was sleeping soundly with no care in the world…. No. I can’t think about that. It hurts too much. I step back, the tightness in my chest so extreme that I have to inhale and exhale slowly. Every time I blink I see her distraught face and hear her broken voice, appealing her case and showing me that she deserved to stay. And what did I do? I kicked her right out like she meant nothing. Like we never had anything together. I swallow hard. ‘I need her back here. I made a mistake.’ “Then let’s go to the maids’ quarters,” Kiernan offers. “Maybe she’s still there.” I nod, and together, we barge into the lower floor where the maids stay. The rooms are already empty as they start their day at dawn. Every empty room we pass makes me want to punch something in regret, but I can still catch the sweet scent of Claudia in the air, lingering like a whisper. Finally, we arrive at her room, where her scent is strongest. The door is still closed. Kiernan lifts his hand to knock, but I’m desperate. I open the door. And there is one person inside the room. But it’s not Claudia. It’s a maid I remember as Maia, her best friend here. She whips around as soon as we get in, and I immediately see her swollen eyes and red face. “Alpha,” she mutters, sinking into a bow. “Gamma. I will go to work as soon as possible.” “No, take the time you need,” Kiernan says. “You are obviously in distress. What happened?” My breath gets stuck in my throat. I already know what she’s going to say, but I find myself searching the room in hopes of finding any proof that Claudia actually chose to stay. However, the room is blissfully empty. Vacated for the next maid. “Claudia left, Gamma,” she answers. “She said she needed to go back to her family. It was just so unexpected. I asked her if it had something to do with the meeting, and she said no. She said she’s tired of working. I don’t believe that. She always loved working here….” I freeze in shock. Kiernan glances at me pointedly before turning back to Maia. “I completely understand. Please, take the day off and rest. The Alpha and I will get going now.” He grabs me by the arm and pulls me out of the room, closing the door behind us. I can’t even walk properly. I can’t believe what I just heard. After all the bad things I said to her, she still chose to cover for me. I stop moving as soon as we reach the foyer. I hold onto the stair banister for support, my throat closed up. Kiernan stands next to me. “What happened, Your Majesty?” ‘Don’t call me that,’ I sign to him. ‘Go prepare a carriage—no. A horse. Ready a horse for me. I will be setting out soon—’ “No, you’re not,” he interjects, his eyebrows scrunched up. “You are the Alpha King. Do you know what it would mean to the Rogues if they took down the head of the whole land? The revolution would be over!” ‘Fine, I will do it myself.’ I try to push past him but he blocks me. ‘Move out of my way. I need Claudia back here right now.’ He shakes his head, putting a firm hand on my chest. “You’d have to kill me if you want to leave alone.” Kiernan is one of my oldest friends and most loyal men. We’ve butted heads many times before, but not like this. I can see his quiet anger, and I know from the look in his eyes that he can feel mine. Still, he stands his ground, staring at me like he’s daring me to attack him right now. And I almost want to. The thought of Claudia getting farther and farther away is tearing my soul apart. But I take a deep breath to steady myself. ‘You don’t understand.’ “Then make me understand.” ‘Claudia is important to me,’ I tell him after a pause. ‘The Moon Goddess told me so. She is the Siren and the Alpha’s Voice. I have to get her back or else—’ “Alpha Achilles.” He signals me to turn around. I see Carlos standing by the end of the stairs, his torso still wrapped in bandages. However, he’s not alone. Standing next to him are the Housekeeper and the Chief Butler. Both of them are carrying files, laid out as though they’re asking for advice. ‘What is this?’ I signal to Carlos. ‘I don’t need any interruptions right now. I have somewhere else to go.’ Carlos shakes his head to stop me. “Alpha… today is the Winter Solstice festival. Our pack is hosting. You cannot go anywhere.” $Chapter Chapter 7 CLAUDIA. The journey from Sangria Amori to my hometown feels long and short at the same time. As I sit there in the carriage watching the palace disappear behind a mountain in the distance and begin to see the tall magnolia trees surrounding the famous springs of my home, I can’t help but feel a mixture of longing and relief. Longing because it’s been my home for years and years. I have made good memories and bonded with amazing people. I overcame a lot of bad things. I met the one I thought I would know forever. But the relief comes from the loss of all of that. From the knowledge that from now on, I would be free from that palace and everyone in it. Especially Achilles. My heart still makes a little flip at the simple thought of his name. I still have to clench my hands and pierce my own palms with my nails to remind myself that I shouldn’t be thinking about him. But thankfully, I don’t have to acknowledge it because the carriage finally stops. The coachman Peter calls out from the front, smacking the carriage door with his cane. “You’re here now, girl. It’s time to move out.” I gather all my bags and sling them all on my shoulders, slightly struggling with the weight as I climb down the rickety old carriage. “Thank you so much, Peter.” I give him a happy salute, about to head to the arch that reads Nightshade Springs. But then, I hear him calling out, “Are you sure you’re going to be safe from here on?” That makes me pause. So far, throughout the whole journey, I haven’t sensed any Rogues at all. But Peter has a point. The infestation of Rogues is very much real and rampant, and I haven’t been to my hometown in five years. I honestly don’t know what’s waiting in store for me here. But still, I don’t want to bother him. If there is any danger out here, I would rather face it; I know that he has a family. So I just smile at him. “I got it, Peter. Thank you again and be careful on your way back!” He looks uncertain, but he leaves anyway, whipping the horses until they gallop faster. Soon enough, he’s gone. And I’m alone in the middle of the woods, surrounded by the familiar fresh scent of springs and pine. The scent of home. A soft smile appears on my face as I start to walk, following the stone path that leads to the edge of the village where the cemetery is. I suppose it’s a grim thing to start with, but I’ve been meaning to visit my parents’ graves for the past years. Grief and the start of the revolution put a halt to all of that, so now I feel quite happy that I get to see them, even if it’s just this way. My mom was a maid like I am. Or was. Either way, she served the palace too, specifically as a handmaiden to the former Queen. My dad was a gardener. She died from deadly flu five years ago, and he followed right after. Back then, I thought this was unfair. How could they leave me in this world alone? I was resentful. But eventually, I realized that it may have been out of love. He was never able to be apart from her for any period of time, and not even death could stop him from chasing after her. They told me that they met each other at a gathering for servants, and my father fell in love with my mother when he first heard her sing. I honestly can’t blame him. She had the most wonderful voice, and he always said that I had that beautiful voice too. I never really knew if he was just making that up, but the ones who heard me sing also told me that I do have a pretty voice. The memory brings a smile to my face, and as I approach their graves, I find myself humming along to the tune of my mother’s lullaby. Their graves are now covered in ivy. I sweep some of the leaves away and light a candle for them. I sit there for a while, watching the light flicker on their gravestones. I reach out and feel the warmth, opening my mouth to talk to them like I always did, but that’s when something strikes me. The sour, rotten smell. My entire body freezes. I shoot to my feet, clutching my bags closer to me as I look around. My heart is beating in my ears and I almost want to whimper, but it only gets worse when I finally see a single Rogue. It’s hiding behind gravestones in the distance, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice as they focus on me. Its low growls make the ground hum. There’s tension in the air, thick and suffocating, telling me it’s been stalking me like prey for a while now. It’s still far but ready to spring. Ready to chase and feed. And I know that if I take one step back, it will come out and kill me. I slowly exhale, stepping back and feeling it move with me, keeping the distance between us the same. Bit by bit, I ease my bags off my shoulders and set them down. The eyes of the Rogue follow my movement like two laser pointers. I slip my hand in my pocket, looking for the silver knife that Maia gave me as a parting gift, ready to it down. As though on cue, the Rogue leaps into the air as soon as I raise the knife. But I’m ready this time. I don’t come to meet it. Instead, I stand my ground, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as it flies midair to pounce on me, I duck right under it and run the knife along its throat. The Rogue falls to the ground with a whimper. It scrambles to get upright again, but before it can do so, I stomp its fragile head flat with my boot, its blood spattering everywhere. “Thank the gods,” I mutter, but that’s when I realize that I spoke too soon. As soon as the Rogue stops moving, the forest seems to come alive right before me. More Rogues emerge from the trees, sniffing and snarling, their eyes alight with joy when they see a perfectly good meal severely outnumbered. All at once, they jump toward me. A scream breaks out of my lips. I raise my bags to shield myself, but at this point, it’s only a matter of time before they take me down and feast on me. I’m only waiting for the pain now…. But before it can come, I hear loud bangs in the distance. Gunshots. Followed by the loud thuds of the Rogues hitting the ground, dropping like dead flies. I lower my bags in horror. All the Rogues are dead, their heads bleeding from a single smoking puncture wound between their eyes. I’m about to turn around to see my savior, but then I feel the still-hot muzzle of the gun against my back. “Drop your knife if you want to live. Who are you and what do you need?” $Chapter Chapter 8 ACHILLES. The first thing that rises out of me is not frustration from being told what to do, but embarrassment from forgetting about the big event. I know that Carlos just had a bad injury that he’s still most likely dealing with, but I have a situation on my hands that I just can’t shake off, but I can't help but avert my gaze in shame. Carlos, Kiernan, and the two head staff are staring at me expectantly, and I just want to sink into the ground and never reappear. I look over at Kiernan, who gives me a small shrug like he’s telling me that it’s all up to me. The obvious thing to do is to just delay the festival and focus on the very important task of finding Claudia. But I know that my people are counting on this one single happy day among all the bad ones. They need this. And as much as I need Claudia here with me, they come first. I take a deep, steadying breath. ‘I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. Prepare the decorations and we shall have a lunch banquet in the throne room.’ Carlos nods and repeats my words to the head staff. Then, he turns back to me and asks, “How about the evening celebrations?” ‘We’ll see,’ I sign to him. With that, the head staff both bow and leave. Now it’s only the three of us, and they look pained. “So what’s been happening?” Carlos splutters at last. “Where are you going?” Kiernan is the one who answers for him. “He kicked out the maid, Claudia, and now he has to bring her back because the Moon Goddess told him so in a dream. He wants to go out there himself.” ‘I have to,’ I tell them both. 'I still do, but with the festival..." And of course, they just look at me like they feel sorry for me. I’m about to tell them both to supervise so I can go, but then Kiernan sighs and says, “I’ll get some of our warriors, and we will go and find her.” Without giving me a chance to say anything about this, Kiernan leaves. Carlos then looks at me and beckons me to go up the stairs. “After you, Alpha. Let’s give the people a good celebration.” * * * When I arrive at the throne room after changing into my formal suit, it is already decked with blue and silver decorations fit for the winter solstice theme. Food is flowing in, music is playing, and it seems that all the citizens are gathering. When Carlos and I enter, it takes me a whole while to notice that the throne room isn’t even halfway filled. As I sit on my throne, I see that my people are not eating, drinking, or having fun at all. They are just gathered at the little tables, engaged in serious conversation. More people are coming in, greeted by the butlers by the door. I keep thinking that this new batch will come and let loose, but they just gather like the rest of the guests. It’s starting to make me nervous. I agreed to this party thinking it would be best for their morale, but it seems that they’re just as uninterested in the occasion as I was. ‘This is not going well,’ I tell Carlos, who’s standing on my right side. He’s not fully recovered yet, but he insisted on coming here. ‘It would be best to cut this short.’ As soon as I say those words, guilt starts to drum in my chest. I know that I should try to make things more festive instead of thinking about Claudia, but not knowing how things are on that front is almost as bad as being here and seeing my people feeling blue. “I think it would be best if you go down and communicate with them personally,” Carlos says, and I can’t believe I never thought of that before. I get up from my throne with the full intent of going around, but then I see a familiar face by the door. Someone I really don’t want to see. Alpha Tristan. He’s still wearing a coat, speckled with snow. The butler tries to take it from him but he pushes him away, which makes me tense up, immediately ready for a fight. However, he’s not alone. Walking behind him like lapdogs are the Alphas of his neighboring packs: Giorgio, Anthony, and Larkin. Their auras are so domineering and so distracting that the people in the throne room stop what they’re doing and just watch them approach me. But instead of meeting them halfway, I remain standing in front of the throne with the steps of the dais separating us. None of them bows down to me. “What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and it perfectly reflects what’s in my mind, just more polite. Tristan flashes me a smirk. “We’re here because we’re tired of the preposterous games that Sangria Amori is playing. We need change!” Even though I can’t hear him, I can feel the vibrations of his scream on the walls and the floor. He’s livid, and because of this, the people in the room are tuning in. I don’t like the admiring and interested looks on their faces. I look at Carlos. ‘We shouldn’t have this talk here.’ “Alpha Tristan.” Carlos gives him a strained smile, motioning him to come along. “We shall move this conversation to a more private location and perhaps—” “Get your hands off me.” Tristan pushes past him and squares up to me. “What you’re doing to these people is sickening. Making them show up here, forced to have fun, when they are suffering from problems you would never know about from your high throne. You’re making a mockery of their situation, flaunting your privilege in their faces.” I want to push him down the steps and pound his face into a pulp, but I restrain myself. Instead, I just sign something that Carlos translates with perfect contempt. “Get out, right now.” Tristan only scoffs, facing the people. “Last night, instead of meeting with the rest of the Alphas and coming up with a way to erase the Rogues, Alpha King Achilles was late. He left us on our own when we had a Rogue attack. It’s painfully obvious that his disabilities have made him selfish, and unfit to rule our land.” This time, my temper gets the best of me. I grab him by the arm with the full intent of punching him in the face as soon as he turns, but I stop when the people gasp. They’re now looking at me in horror. I slowly let him go. He starts to walk away, step by step, not taking his eyes off me. There’s a certain gleam in his eyes that I can’t identify, but the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end. Only when he’s standing by the door do I know why. “We will no longer take orders from the Alpha King,” Tristan declares, his gaze still on me. “We will handle the Rogues our way, the right way. And those who want to join us would be offered full protection.” With that, he leaves. And I watch in horror as some of my citizens begin to get up from their seats, following him out. $Chapter Chapter 9 CLAUDIA. “Don’t shoot me,” I mutter, and I cringe when I hear the fear in my voice. I hate that I faced that single Rogue like a boss only to fold like this. “I’m not a danger to anyone. I’m a local here. I just moved for work at the palace…” I stop when I realize I’m about to ramble. I just drop the knife. As soon as it clatters on the floor, I feel the muzzle of the gun easing off my back. I take this as a cue to turn around, and I come face to face with a young man about my age, with straw-colored hair and brown eyes. He’s carrying a massive silver shotgun with rounds of big silver bullets around his body. He’s studying me closely, fixing his flannel shirt. “Who are you?” “Claudia Hale,” I say shakily. I even bow, which is dumb, but I guess it’s not so stupid if it stops him from shooting me. “I just came here to visit my parents.” At first, he doesn’t say anything. My nerves are starting to act up and I find myself basically skipping in my spot. But finally, he asks, “Hale, huh? Do you happen to be related to Ruth?” My eyes go wide. “Yes! Ruth is my cousin.” The man’s shoulders relax. He cracks a smile, and suddenly he doesn’t seem so scary anymore. “You must be the cousin she talks about a lot. The singer. I’m Max, by the way. Follow me.” We shake hands, and I can’t help but feel giddy. My cousin Ruth is here. I can’t believe it. We were very close as kids, even though we only saw each other over the summers. She left Nightshade Springs when we were both eighteen, and the last thing I heard about her was that she got married to a mason from the nearby village. We saw each other at my dad’s funeral, but we didn’t get to talk much because of my own grief. But now, I’m going to see her. I wonder if she has kids now. The thought of little babies running around makes me so excited, so much so that I almost forget to follow Max as he leads me out of the cemetery through an unfamiliar path. I quickly pick up the knife and run after him. I frown as I pull level with Max. "Why are we using this path?" The moment the question leaves my lips, the answer comes to me when we turn a corner. For the first time, I come face to face with the aftermath of the Rogue infestation. The village is now completely deserted. The houses are dilapidated, empty and broken. The smell of Rogues is present, but distant, which tells me that the place is visited frequently but they're not actually here. Dried blood is scattered all over the ground like paint. "That's animal blood," Max explains, following the direction of my gaze. "We vacated this place a long time ago. We still live in this area, but we decided to stick close together to protect ourselves from the Rogues. We figured that it would be best if we show them a strong front. The Kingdom doesn't really do much for us, so we have to take matters into our own hands." I swallow hard, averting my gaze as we turn another corner, a hidden path behind a small hill. "Does the Kingdom not visit the villages at all?" I ask. Max shakes his head. "Nope. Not at all. They send guards from time to time, but you see how many Rogues there are. You know how violent they can be. We needed weapons to protect ourselves, but they just won't provide that. I think they keep it to themselves, leave everyone else defenseless." I keep quiet. I don't know what to say. Part of me wants to defend the palace. I mean, I know they have it hard, and Achilles is doing his best. But then again, who am I to dismiss their suffering? I open my mouth to ask where they got their weapons, but then we arrive at a fenced part of the village. Barbed wires are set on tall metal walls, behind which small compact buildings stand proud. He opens the gate carefully, and we both enter. There are a couple of villages standing watch, carrying guns similar to his. They stare at me, and I have to lower my head to avoid the intensity of their looks. I want to tell Max that I just want to see Ruth, but before I can get the question out, I see two people running towards me. I look up and my heart nearly gives out when I see that it's Ruth, together with a tall bearded man who must be her husband. "Claudia!" she squeals, and before I can even drop my bags, she scoops me up into a big hug. "You're home! It's been so long!" I blink the tears away when she lets me go. "I figured it was time to retire and just stay here." I feel guilty. I lied to Maia and now I'm lying to Ruth. “You loved that job, but I do understand,” she says, and I can’t help but be thankful that she didn’t press me for more details. “This is my husband, Henry. We live in one of the apartments. You can stay with us if you like, but I think it would be best if you get your own room.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Henry says, taking my bags from me. “I will take these up to your room.” I smile. “Thank you so much.” He and Max leave, and Ruth takes my arm, steering me into a small structure at the foot of one of the buildings. I can hear cheers and smell food from outside, and I find myself relaxing when I see that it’s a pub. Men and women alike are laughing and talking, downing jugs of beer and eating fried food. It’s quite fascinating to see so much life and joy in a single space in this lost land, but I can’t help but feel grateful. Ruth and I sit on the counter. The bartender slides two jugs of beer and a platter of steaming chips. I grab the chips even though they’re hot, stuffing them all in my mouth and drinking the beer. Everything is strangely fresh, and I can’t help but gobble it all up. Ruth watches me with amusement as she sips her drink. “Do they not feed you up there?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Honestly, I don’t blame you for going home. It must have been hell there.” My appetite suddenly vanishes. “Well, it’s not so bad. But nothing like home, yes.” I clear my throat, desperate for a change of topic. “So, Max found me in the cemetery. He’s… an interesting character.” “I know, he mind-linked it to me.” She shrugs. “Max is kind of an asshole, but I get why. He had to step up as our leader when the palace guards left us. He looted all those guns that we use now, so the only thing we have to forge are bullets. Screw the Kingdom and that deaf-mute idiot who rules it.” My face goes hot. I want to defend Achilles. I want to tell Ruth not to call him that, but then again, he kicked me out for defending him. “Is everyone doing the same?” I start to ask, but then a small commotion breaks out in the corner of the pub where the entrance is. “Hey, keep that bastard out!” I hear some of the men yelling. “He barged right in and demanded entry!” “It’s one of those palace fuckers!” I freeze. Ruth and I both slide out of our stools, looking over at the chaos. My heart jumps right into my throat when I see Gamma Kiernan trying to force his way inside the pub. “Bring me Claudia Hale, and we will not have any problems.” $Chapter Chapter 10 CLAUDIA. Panic takes a hold of me. Suddenly, I feel my entire body going numb. I can feel Ruth beside me and I can hear her saying something, but it’s like my mind is tuning out. All I can hear are muffled voices. All I can feel is my heart hammering inside my ribs like it wants to get out. I blink a couple of times as we get pushed back by the ongoing commotion. For a moment I’m certain that I’m not seeing things correctly, but I’m wrong. Gamma Kiernan is really here, and he’s looking for me. “No way you’re getting in,” the men at the entrance keep telling him. “Pack it up and leave!” “I will not leave until you bring Claudia Hale here,” he insists. “I can smell her scent in the air. I know you’re hiding her. Back off, and no one gets hurt.” “How dare you threaten us?” With that, the chaos ensues. Now there are so many men blocking his way, and soon enough, women are clamoring to shoo him out of the pub too. I can see his expression. I know that he can take these men down if he wants to, but he’s restraining himself. The urge to step up and show myself before things get ugly overcomes me, but then Ruth wheels around and dunks my head down, preventing me from getting seen. “Why the hell are they looking for you?” Ruth demands. “Did you do something?” “No,” I begin to say, but that’s when I feel a strong hand dragging me back. “Ow!” I complain under my breath, feeling myself getting yanked back into the corner by this strong person. I turn around and see Max. He’s squeezing my arm so hard that I can almost feel the bruises appearing. “Let me go!” He just glares at me. “You are not going to show yourself to that upstart. You’re going to stay here behind the bar. Understand?” “No!” I snatch my arm back from him. “Do you want your people to get hurt?” His eyes flash with anger. “You’re really assuming we’re the ones who’d get hurt? You put too much faith in those men who don’t do anything but sit on their asses and command the lower people to fight for them.” I realize that he’s referring to the palace royals, including Achilles. His claims are so false that I square up to him, shoving him back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about! Those men risk their lives for us!” “Maybe for you,” Max growls dryly, “but never for me.” The next events happen so fast. So much so that I don’t even get the time to react. Max just grabs me by the shoulders, pushes me right into the broom closet, and props a chair against the doorknob to basically lock it from outside. I fall on the floor, flat on my behind, but then I spring up to my feet to try to ram it down. “Let me out!” I scream, but I doubt anyone would hear me from the absolute meltdown happening outside. I could shift into my wolf and break the door, but I think I would end up demolishing half the pub in the process. So even though I want to end this, I just stay by the door, pressing my ear against it and listening as best as I can. That’s when I hear Max announcing, “Silence, everyone. Let the man speak.” The people immediately shut up, which surprises me. It seems that everyone really recognizes him as their leader. I can almost picture him stepping up to Gamma Kiernan. “Thank you,” Gamma Kiernan says. “As I was trying to say before I got swarmed, I need Claudia Hale.” “Why?” Max asks in a calm, almost lazy tone. “Because the Alpha King says so,” Gamma Kiernan replies in a similar voice. “We don’t want any trouble with the King, do we?” “Oh, no, we don’t,” Max answers, but this time, he sounds perfectly sarcastic. I can hear the others around him letting out a laugh. “We really don’t. But you see, Claudia isn’t here.” Silence fills the air. I want to scream at the top of my lungs to alert everyone of my presence, but I’m stunned. Petrified, really. Did the Gamma really say that it’s Alpha Achilles who’s asking for me? But why? Why would he look for me? It hasn’t even been a day since I left. Does he regret all the things he did, all the things he said to me? Did he realize that I didn’t actually do anything wrong, and he punished me out of pure pride and possibly stupidity? Now that’s something I want to hear. I want him to say sorry. I’m about to scream when suddenly, I hear Gamma Kiernan saying, “I can smell her. Do not fucking lie to me.” Somehow, I’m able to sense something about to go wrong before it even transpires. I make a move to ram the door down before things can break out, but it’s too late. Before I can even do anything, I hear Max saying in a low voice, “Deal with this bastard.” And then, hell breaks loose. It’s so loud I can almost see it. The men in the pub all yell for battle and the sounds that follow root me to my spot. More screams. Thuds from bodies hitting the floor and the walls. Broken glass. Snapping wood. Arrows whizzing. Wolves howling. Gunshots. So many gunshots…. Soon enough, the smell of blood fills the air, and my heart nearly stops. It seems to go on forever, the sound and the smell and the carnage. I can make out specific voices like Gamma Kiernan’s, telling his men to stand down and leave. I can hear Max telling his people to pursue them, to drive them back and make sure they learn their lesson. On and on and on it goes. But just when I think that it’s never going to end, silence follows. It’s almost eerie. One can hear a pin drop. Who got shot? Did anyone die? The thought of death because of me is what finally breaks me. I ram down the door without shifting into my wolf form, but when I arrive at the bar, it’s too late. I can hear the sound of horses whinnying outside, their hooves hitting the ground in loud thuds as they run fast. I see the flash of the red carriage through the broken windows. I look all over the floor to see if anyone has fallen, but aside from the smears of blood, it seems that everyone made it out alive. At least, from this party. I don’t know if I can say the same about the people from the palace. Suddenly, Max enters the pub, sporting a broken nose. He tears off a piece of his shirt and uses it to dab on the blood, but I march toward him and snatch it right out of his hand. “What did you do?” “Showed them that they have no business here,” he says simply, taking the strip of fabric back from me. “The only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you, unless…” Everyone in the pub looks at me. Ruth is the one who gets up and turns to me. “What did you do, Claudia? Why are they looking for you?” Max crosses his arms. "Give us a good reason why we shouldn't kick you out of here. Now."		Popular Novels		15	https://www.facebook.com/100091852266052/	0		LEARN_MORE								View Edit Delete