《Claiming His Luna》


 Chapter 1: Jealousy

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I gently wiped the beads of sweat from my forehead, my tired body bent over the task of scrubbing the floor. The weight of the brush in my hand felt heavier with each passing moment.


    ¡°Gosh, can you pick up the pace?¡± came the sharp voice of Vienna, the daughter of our Alpha, piercing the air from behind me.


    ¡°Certainly, miss,¡± I replied, my voice filled with respect, and I increased the speed of my scrubbing.


    Vienna had conveniently spilled paint on the floor, which she imed was idental, but her malicious intent was evident. It was now my responsibility to rectify the mess she had created.


    ¡°Stupid girl,¡± Vienna muttered under her breath as she turned her back on me. With one final act of cruelty, she kicked the paint can thaty beside me before departing the kitchen.


    I feltpletely exhausted, and I let out a weary sigh as I observed the magnitude of the work still ahead. I had been scrubbing the floor for what felt like an endless time, but the paint stubbornly clung to the surface, resisting all my efforts to remove it.


    Once I was certain that Vienna had left the room, I gingerly set down the brush and allowed myself a moment¡¯s slumber.


    Leaning against the cool wall, I could feel the ache radiating through my arm, the throbbing pain in my legs, and the strain in my back. The toll of physical struggle was evident.


    ¡°You do know that Vienna would strangle you if she caught you were resting,¡± Maria¡¯s voice suddenly broke the silence, causing me to startle.


    ¡°God, you gave me quite a scare,¡± I gasped, my hand instinctively pressing against my chest to calm the racing beat of my heart.


    Maria couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as she sat down next to me, enjoying a short break from the demanding world we were stuck in.


    Despite having recently started as one of the servants for the Crescents, Maria had quickly be my closestpanion, even though I had worked longer than her. Perhaps it was because we were around the same age or shared the same fate, enduring the tyranny of Vienna Crescent.


    My parents had dedicated their lives to serving the Alpha, Remus Crescent, my father as his butler, and my mother as his personal maid, they had never been shown an ounce of gratitude or respect by the man they served faithfully.


    Resting my head on Maria¡¯s shoulder, I couldn¡¯t help but voice my frustration. ¡°What do you think fuels Vienna¡¯s adamant perseverance to make my life a living hell?¡±


    ¡°Jealousy,¡± Maria replied with a hint of amusement in her voice.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her response. ¡°Yes, of course. Who wouldn¡¯t envy my ragged clothing, extraordinary talent for scrubbing floors, and oh-so-fashionable vintage worn-out shoes?¡± I yfully wiggled my toes for emphasis.


    A sudden shift in Maria¡¯s tone caught me off guard, and I stoppedughing. It was a rare asion when she spoke seriously. ¡°Because you¡¯re more beautiful than her,¡± she said, her voice sincere and without any hint of jest.


    I paused, struck by the sincerity in her words. ¡°Can we change the topic? I¡¯d prefer some light teasing instead of being so serious, please. It¡¯s much morefortable,¡± I said, attempting to lighten the mood.


    We both burst intoughter, knowing that Maria¡¯s teasing came from pure fondness and not from any ill intent.


    Unlike Vienna, who found joy in my misery, Maria used teasing as a means of expressing her fondness for me. Through these yful interactions, we foundfort and formed a unique bond.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Scrub the floor, you silly girl,¡± Maria mockingly imitated Vienna¡¯s voice, mimicking our tormentor¡¯s gestures, which made usugh even harder.


    She even exaggeratedly flipped her hair in the same manner as Vienna, and the sight elicited genuineughter from me.


    ¡°Shoo, off you go back to the garden,¡± I yfully retorted, dismissing Maria with a wave of my hand.


    She made an exaggeratedly indignant face and dramatically flipped her hair once again, eliciting another giggle from me. The sight of my own reflection dancing on the wet, soapy floor only added to my joy, making the moment even more delightful.


    Throughout my life, many have expressed their fondness for what they saw as my beauty. While theirpliments were kind, they never truly resonated with me. I would usually respond with gratitude or return the sentiment with apliment of my own. However, I never considered embracing their words wholeheartedly.


    Nevertheless, Maria¡¯s idea that Vienna was envious of my beauty struck me aspletely absurd.


    I couldn¡¯t understand why Maria had let go of her rationality to entertain such an idea. Vienna and I were of the same height, but her figure exuded a mature elegance with graceful curves, while I had a petite frame. Our long brown hair differed, as mine cascaded in waves, while hers remained impably straight, giving her a sophisticated look. Her hazel eyes shimmered, contrasting with my inherited emerald green from my mother. Despite my fairplexion, Vienna¡¯s skin was as pure and white as paper.


    Apart from these distinctions, we shared many simr features, such as pointed noses, pouty lips, and freckles that emerged only under the sun¡¯s gentle caress.


    The uncanny resemnce between us may have fueled her disdain for me. At first nce, one might even mistake us for sisters. However, for Vienna, the sole daughter and heiress of the MoonStone pack, beingpared to a servant, even briefly, must be the ultimate insult.


    After what felt like an endless time of scrubbing, I found relief in the mansion¡¯s garden, my sanctuary. Between the vibrant flowers and towering trees, I discovered a tranquillity that surpassed any other part of the estate.


    When I strolled in the middle of the huge garden, immersing myself in the fragrance of blossoms and the songs of chirping birds, a sight captured my attention. There was Maria, bravely fighting a battle against a flock of withered flowers with a broom. Despite finding amusement in her predicament, a twinge of sympathy tugged at my heart.


    Upon learning about Maria¡¯s sensitivity to flowers, Vienna didn¡¯t hesitate to exploit it and assigned her the punishing task of tending the garden.


    Maria, in a state of desperation, mustered the courage to humbly request mercy. However, Vienna¡¯s wishes consistently prevailed.

 Chapter 2: How鈥檚 Your Day, Dear?

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Seeing Maria endure such torment, with constant sneezing fits while struggling to hold onto the broom, I couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. I offered her my handkerchief and quickly took over the sweeping duties to ease her burden.


    ¡°Have you taken your anti-allergy pill?¡± I inquired, the broom gliding effortlessly through the fallen petals.


    She blew her nose into the handkerchief before responding, ¡°I ran out this time.¡±


    ¡°Your poor nose looks like it¡¯s been stung by a bee,¡± I joked gently, attempting to lighten her spirits.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± she yfully rolled her eyes, a chuckle escaping her lips.


    We both knew the teasing was a way to alleviate the strain, a sharednguage between us. She found a breather on a nearby bench, aiming to escape her allergic suffering momentarily.


    Meanwhile, I continued sweeping, the white roses scattered across the garden in abundance. It was no surprise, considering the MoonStone pack¡¯s trademark was that of the white rose.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t understand why Vienna always feels the need to be so vicious,¡± Maria expressed with frustration evident in her voice, apanied by sneezes.


    ¡°Maria, please be careful with your words. There might be someone listening,¡± I cautioned her, aware of the lurking ears always ready to report any perceived offences.


    Apprehensive, I nced around, my senses heightened with worry that someone might overhear the less-than-favourable words that escaped Maria¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Oh,e on. We all know it¡¯s true,¡± she persisted, her voiceced with frustration.


    ¡°Even so, Vienna wouldn¡¯t react kindly to such words,¡± I cautioned her once again, fully aware of the consequences that awaited those who dared to speak ill of the Alpha¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°She can have my nose instead,¡± Maria retorted, pointing humorously at her swollen, red nose. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her remark.


    ¡°You should return inside. Vienna would not be pleased to find you helping me here,¡± She suggested, concerned for my well-being. Then, she swiftly took hold of the broom, eager to continue her duties.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± I asked, still concerned about her well-being.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, hun. At this point, I can practically feel the ¡®abs¡¯ forming on my nose,¡± she reassured me, attempting to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Alright, just be sure to cover your nose while you sweep and take your anti-allergy pill,¡± I advised, my charming attitude taking over.


    ¡°Yes, Mommy,¡± she quipped, yfully teasing me.


    I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.


    Leaving Maria to her task, I made my way back to the mansion, only to find yet another mess that Vienna had ¡®identally¡¯ created once again.


    Despite the weariness that consumed my body, I forced a smile whenever Vienna issued her orders. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. After all, her mother, the Moonstone Luna, had tragically passed away during childbirth.


    In the wake of that devastating loss, her father had gone to great lengths to fill the void, perhaps even going overboard. As a result, Vienna had grown up entitled and spoiled, unable toprehend or consider the emotions of others.


    Having endured a day of torment, I finally copsed onto my humble bed.


    ¡°You should freshen up, my dear,¡± My Mom told me.


    I instinctively shifted my gaze to the portion of the room designated for us.


    The three of us shared this modest space in the maid¡¯s quarters, a room barren save for the two beds and a tiny window. I often found relief through that window, gazing at the night sky and marvelling at its sheer beauty.


    ¡°Where¡¯s pap¨¤?¡± I inquired, my mother meticulously tending to their bed.


    ¡°He¡¯s still at the library with Monsieur Remus,¡± she replied, referring to the Alpha.


    My arms ached from the extensive scrubbing I had undertaken throughout the day. Vienna¡¯s ¡®idental¡¯ spills of paint had urred not once but thrice. Despite my exhaustion, I summoned the strength to rise from my bed and prepared to take a bath.


    My eyelids drooped heavily as I absentmindedly brushed my hair.


    ¡°Here,¡± Mam¨¤ gently took the brush from my weary hand, her touch soothing as she ran it through my hair.


    ¡°How was your day, dear?¡± my mother asked in a soft, caring tone.


    ¡°Ask Vienna,¡± I replied with a yawn, prompting a chuckle from my mother.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you have to deal with her,¡± she sympathised, her voice tinged with sadness.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mam¨¤. I¡¯m used to it,¡± I reassured her. As my mother turned to face me, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the wistful smile gracing her lips.


    ¡°You know, the Moon Ball ising up. House Crescent has been chosen as this year¡¯s host,¡± she revealed.


    My eyes widened at her words. ¡°A ball?¡±


    I had only ever seen extravagant ball banquets on television or read about them in books. The mere thought of attending such an event filled me with excitement.


    ¡°All the North and West packs will gather together, singing, dancing, and searching for mates,¡± my mother exined, her finger yfully touching my nose as she mentioned thest word.


    While I knew that my role would likely be limited to serving during the night, the prospect of being present at a grand ball, observing the elegant dances and enchanting atmosphere, was enough to fill my heart with joy.


    ¡°When will it be, Mam¨¤?¡± I eagerly inquired.


    ¡°The next full moon,¡± she replied, causing my eyes to sparkle with anticipation.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same night as my birthday!¡± I eximed with excitement. Mam¨¤ chuckled in response.


    That night, I fell asleep with a smile on my face. A ball, a magical event that I had only dreamed of attending, was about to happen soon. I couldn¡¯t believe my luck. People say birthdays should be special, and this year¡¯s celebration was shaping up to be the most extraordinary one of my life, or so I thought.


    As dreams of elegant dances and radiant gowns filled my slumber, I couldn¡¯t help but imagine the grandeur waiting for me. The high lords and the Alpha himself would surely grace the asion, and I was filled with endless curiosity about their appearance and demeanour.


    With countless questions swirling in my mind, I eagerly anticipated the answers that would soon suffice. Little did I know the twists and turns thaty ahead, but for now, the anticipation painted a picture of a birthday that would surpass all my expectations.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .

 Chapter 3: The Ball Preparation

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Father, this ball must be absolutely wless,¡± Vienna eximed, her distress visible.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s far too excessive. Remove it immediately,¡± shemanded the servants as they arranged the tablecloths.


    Vienna possessed a refined and elegant taste, and the tablecloth was wrapped with an excessive number of intricate patterns and overwhelming hues that failed to align with her preferences.


    As one of the servants, I found myself in the ballroom, diligently cleaning and decorating. Naturally, the room was decorated with a profusion of white roses, symbolising the MoonStone pack, to which we all belonged.


    ¡°Handle that vase with extra care, girl. Its worth is beyond anything you can possess,¡± Vienna scolded the unfortunate servant, who held a golden vase in her trembling hands.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my dear, I will ensure that everything is perfected,¡± Monsieur Remus reassured his daughter, his soothing voice acting as a balm to Vienna¡¯s distress.


    I stole a nce at my parents standing beside the Alpha. Pap¨¤ gave me a reassuring smile while Mam¨¤ offered me her most gentle, loving eyes.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°You foolish girl!¡± I was startled at Vienna¡¯s outburst, her voice cutting through the air.


    ¡°Once I spot even the tiniest speck of dirt on the floor, I will use your face as a cleaning cloth, do you understand?¡± Vienna¡¯s threat hung in the air, and I nodded in response; fear appeared on my face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too harsh on the poor girl, Vienna,¡± interjected the Alpha instantly, hismanding voice slicing through the tension. My eyes shifted towards him.


    ¡°Are you defending her, father?¡± Vienna inquired, her tone slightly raised, sounding offended.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m simply suggesting that you need not be overwhelmed. I promise you, everything will be wless, my dear,¡± the Alpha assured, pressing a tender kiss on his daughter¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°The Blood Moon Pack will be in attendance, and their Alpha happens to be around your age. It would be advantageous if the two of you were to establish a rapport,¡± Monsieur Remus shifted the topic instantly.


    ¡°The Blood Moon Pack? The Reds?¡± Vienna queried, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.


    ¡°Yes, my dear. Lucian Red will be present. He is often referred to as the ¡®King in the North¡¯-one of the most popr and dangerous men and wolves alive,¡± Monsieur Remus disclosed, gently tucking a few strands of Vienna¡¯s hair behind her ear.


    ¡°It would serve us well if you were to garner his favour. I have been informed that he is searching for his destined mate,¡± a mischievous grin crept on his face.


    ¡°Are you implying you are selling me off to a stranger?¡± Vienna¡¯s voice carried a mix of disbelief and panic.


    ¡°Trust me, my love, the Blood Moon Alpha is precisely your match,¡± Monsieur Remus insisted, smiling even wider.


    ¡°Well then, we shall see about that at the ball,¡± Vienna responded, her voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism.


    When the Alpha departed, my parents dutifully followed him out of the ballroom. Vienna lingered for a while, berating anyone who dared to interrupt our work.


    Eventually, she also departed, retreating to the spa to pamper herself with the most expensive beauty treatments to look stunning at the uing ball.


    The Blood Moon Pack-a name that reverberates throughout thend. They are renowned as the mightiest and strongest warriors in the North. I don¡¯t have much information about their royal members, except for the fact that the Reds lead them.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Maria whispered beside me, breaking my train of thoughts.


    ¡°Let us swap tasks,¡± she suggested, handing me a vase and a bouquet of flowers. In turn, I passed up the brush I had been holding and continued arranging the flowers with delicate care.


    ¡°Did you hear what Monsieur said? Lucian Red is attending!¡± I overheard one of the servants whisper excitedly.


    ¡°I heard he¡¯s both ruthless and extremely handsome,¡± the two of them squealed in delight.


    ¡°Girls,¡± Madam Cece, the head servant, reprimanded them with a stern tone, chastising their frivolous chatter.


    The two girls made feeble attempts to conceal their romantic excitement surrounding this mysterious figure known as Lucian Red, yet their giggles reached my ears even from a distance.


    Lucian Red? How remarkably attractive must he be to inspire such fervent devotion from girls?


    Truth be told, I have never harboured a crush on anyone, not even the impably handsome models within the pages of glossy magazines or the actors appearing on the television screen. Yes, they possess undeniable allure, but how can one develop affection for a stranger, for a soul so utterly unfamiliar?


    Perhaps myck of infatuation stems from my sheltered existence inside this grand mansion, where socialisation and encounters with men have been scarce. While the rest of us worked diligently to ensure every aspect of the ball would be wless, Vienna intermittently inspected the progress. However, her primary focus seemed to lie in her own preference for the event.


    ¡°Moon Ball, my ass,¡± Maria muttered as we  both rested beneath the towering apple tree situated at the rear of the mansion during our short break.


    ¡°All the arrogant lords anddies will simply flooded inside this estate, unting their shy wealth,¡± she dered, taking a hearty bite of her apple.


    I yfully pped her shoulder. ¡°Maria,¡± I scolded gently.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s the truth! All they do is celebrate this so-called grand ball with excessive drinking and dancing, parading their numerous servants as if they were trophies. A gathering of self-important fools and insufferable butts,¡± Maria¡¯s disdain dripped from her words like acid.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never actually witnessed a ball, so I have no idea what people do or talk about,¡± I confessed, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing like the romanticised tales in books. In reality, all they discuss is wealth, power, and the perpetuation of cruelty. Oh, and of course, sex,¡± Maria retorted, rolling her eyes in disdain once again.


    ¡°Even so, I can¡¯t help but feel excited about it. The dresses and the music are bound to be beautiful,¡± I expressed, trying to maintain a glimmer of optimism.


    ¡°It¡¯s often also a parade of the most terrible women who don the most breathtaking dresses to please those arrogant royal Alphas,¡± she winced, sceptical of the intentions behind such elegance.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure not everyone is as terrible as you im. I mean, not all people are bad, you know,¡± I countered, hoping to inject a message of hope into our conversation.


    ¡°No, not everyone, but most of them,¡± Mariaughed bitterly, her experiences perhaps having tainted her perception of humanity.


    I couldn¡¯t me Maria for her pessimistic outlook on life. She had grown up in a ce far more wretched than our current surroundings-harsh, cruel, and teeming with violence, as she often recounted.


    Despite my own circumstances, I had been fortunate enough to maintain a positive perspective on the world,rgely thanks to my mother¡¯s influence. She instilled in me the belief that even during the darkest challenges, one should always seek out the glimmers of light and fearlessly embrace the hearts of even the most shadowed souls.


    I considered myself blessed, for although my days were filled with struggle and heavy burdens, I had thefort of my loving parents at the end of each day. Despite the weight of responsibilities and duties that they also endured, they never failed to show their utmost love and care as I grew up.


    As the week passed, every nook and cranny of the mansion exuded an air of perfection. The harmonious blend of green and red radiated luxury and sophistication, providing visual evidence of our preparations¡¯ painstaking efforts.


    Even d in rugged attire and clutching a mop in my hand, I couldn¡¯t help but feel like a princess as I glided through the grand halls at this moment.


    A smile stretched across my lips as I marvelled at the shimmering chandeliers. This was my first glimpse of a true ball.


    When I entered the grand ballroom, the servants had assembled around Vienna, hanging onto her every word. I quietly positioned myself by Maria¡¯s side, aiming for relief in her familiar presence.


    Vienna¡¯s words hung heavy in the air, ¡°This ball must be wless. Once any of you make a single mistake, you will not live to regret it. Do you understand?¡± Her scrutinising look swept across the group, but it suddenly halted once catching my figure.


    ¡°Furthermore,¡± she began, striding purposefully in my direction, causing the others to make way for her instinctively.


    My heart pounded nervously as she spared me with a devilish smile.


    ¡°I want all of you to wear masks. I don¡¯t want our prominent guests to lose their appetite as they gaze on your disgusting faces,¡± she remarked, pausing briefly in front of me, nudging my shoulder before continuing on her way.


    ¡°Tell me you¡¯re insecure without actually telling me you¡¯re insecure,¡± Maria whispered beside me after Vienna disappeared, her voice wrapped with both amusement and sympathy.

 Chapter 4: Birthday Gift

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I awoke with the first rays of dawn, my heart brimming with delight and enthusiasm. Still caught in the clutches of sleep, I yawned and rubbed my eyes, only to find my parents standing before me, their presence an unexpected charm.


    ¡°Goodness gracious,¡± I gasped, clutching my chest in surprise while my father chuckled and settled himself on the edge of my bed.


    ¡°Happy birthday, my dear Ch¨¨ri,¡± he murmured, gently kissing my head before enveloping me in his warm embrace.


    A radiant smile graced my face as I reciprocated the loving hug.


    ¡°Happy birthday, my darling,¡± my mother chimed in, joining the tender embrace. However, the intensity of their affection made me flinch momentarily.


    ¡°You¡¯re squeezing the life out of me,¡± I teased, promptingughter from both of them as they released me from their sp.


    ¡°We have a little surprise for you,¡± my mother announced, extending a small wooden box decked with a delicately carved crescent moon.


    As I gingerly opened the box, my eyes fell on a vintage treasure, a rounded ne that reminded me of past eras. Its centrepiece was a captivating blue, emerald gemstone, surrounded by an array of cryptic foreignnguages and mysterious symbols that I couldn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°Mam¨¤,¡± I breathed in awe, my voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°It belonged to my mother and her mother before her. Now, it is time for you to inherit it, my beloved Cercei,¡± she revealed, her voice filled with sentimental affection.


    Overwhelmed with gratitude, I embraced them both, and then my father extended his hand. cing the ne delicately into his palm, I turned around instantly. With utmost care, he fastened the heirloom around my neck, its weight aforting presence against my skin.


    ¡°It suits you,¡± my mother uttered, her voice filled with admiration. I responded to her kind words with a gentle smile, grateful for herpliment.


    ¡°Make sure you get ready, my dear. Today is a memorable and important asion for our pack,¡± my father reminded me, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.


    ¡°Oh, the ball!¡± I eximed, a surge of excitement coursing through me. Without wasting a moment, I leaped out of bed and snatched my clothes from their resting ce. The sound of my parents¡¯ughter filled the air, their amusement echoing through the room as they watched my quick movements.


    ¡°Have a lovely day, ch¨¨ri!¡± Pap¨¤ called out, his words imbued with warmth and well wishes.


    Finally, the day I had eagerly anticipated had arrived-the grand ball and my very own birthday. A perpetual smile appeared on my face, undeterred even by Vienna¡¯s constant grumbling. I cheerfully tended to my duties and dutifully followed her instructions. Today was simply the epitome of perfection, a day that no one could possibly spoil.


    As I stood beside Maria, washing the dishes, her voice reached me in a soft whisper. ¡°Happy birthday, Wolfie.¡±


    I turned to her with gratitude shining in my eyes. ¡°Thank you, Maria.¡±


    Her expression hinted at a secret, a gift she had yet to present. ¡°I¡¯ll give you my presentter,¡± she said with a mysterious smile.


    A spark of curiosity ignited within me. ¡°You have a gift for me?¡±


    A mischievous smile danced on Maria¡¯s lips. ¡°Of course, I do, you silly girl,¡± she chuckled, leaving me eager with anticipation.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see it,¡± I cheerfully replied, my curiosity piqued by Maria¡¯s promise.


    However, before Maria could respond, Mad¨¤m Cece abruptly interjected, interrupting our conversation. ¡°Maria, why are you here? Return to the garden,¡± shemanded.


    Maria made a face behind Mad¨¤m Cece¡¯s back before obediently departing.


    I shook my head, amused by her spirited defiance. At times, she could be quite childish.


    ¡°Back to work, Cercei,¡± Mad¨¤m Cece grumbled, her tone clearly filled with irritation.


    I nodded obediently and returned to my tasks. Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨ had served the Crescents long before my parents, and her grumpiness and bad temper seemed to intensify as she aged.


    ¡°I expect all of you to behave impably tonight. The consequences for misbehaviour will be severe,¡± she warned, her gaze lingering on me as she uttered her final words.


    I was well-versed in keeping my head down, a skill drilled into me by Vienna. She had always insisted that no one would desire to see my supposedly repulsive face. Thus, I grew up gued by insecurities and doubts. However, with time, I came to realise that Vienna had merely tried to keep me from stealing her spotlight.


    Not long after, the distinguished guests began to arrive in their splendid carriages and vehicles. The women wrapped themselves in breathtaking designer gowns, while the men exuded elegance in their tailored suits. I looked at them in awe, captivated by the allure of such avish existence.


    ¡°Woah,¡± I gasped, unable to contain my amazement when Lady Shire made her grand entrance. d in a form-fitting gold bodycon dress that entuated her graceful figure, she walked with an air of confidence. The dress revealed a tantalising slit, exposing her perfectly straight legs, and her hair cascaded in bouncy waves as she moved.


    Lady Shire was Vienna¡¯s cousin from her mother¡¯s side. Unlike Vienna, Lady Shire possessed a kind heart and exuded polite charm. She had visited the mansion often during her childhood, but we hadn¡¯t seen her in years.


    Monsieur Remus warmly embraced his niece upon her arrival, and Vienna¡¯s face lit up with joy at the sight of her cousin. I observed the heartfelt reunion from a distance when Maria called out to me, pulling my attention away.


    ¡°Where were you? Madam Cec¨¨ was looking for you,¡± Maria eximed, her voice tinged with urgency.


    ¡°Sorry, I was just watching-¡± I began to exin.


    ¡°We¡¯re not here to watch, Cercei. We¡¯re here to serve. Come on,¡± she interrupted, tugging me towards the bustling kitchen. In her hand, she held a crimson mask, which she handed to me. Once I had donned the mask, she ced a trayden with drinks into my hands, and we made our way to the ballroom.


    When I entered the enchanting space, my gaze swept across the room. Soft music floated through the air, mingling with the hum of conversation andughter. Some guests were twirling gracefully on the dance floor, their movements perfectly synchronised. Head bowed, I walked to the room, discreetly offering drinks to the attendees.


    Suddenly, Monsieur Remusmanded everyone¡¯s attention. The room fell into a hushed silence as he spoke, his voice resonating with authority and warmth.


    ¡°My dear friends, it is my utmost pleasure to wee you all to my humble mansion. Tonight, we gather to celebrate our shared history and prepare for a future brimming with promise. May we form alliances that will fortify our power and strength as the esteemed Lords and Ladies of the North and West. Your presence is deeply appreciated, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the festivities.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Apuse erupted, filling the room with a wave of appreciation. After his speech, the guests resumed their conversations, the ballroom alive with animated chatter.


    ¡°This party is truly remarkable. Vienna has impable taste,¡± I overheard twodies whispering to each other, their voices filled with admiration.


    ¡°You there, servant girl,¡± one of them called out to me. Nervously, I approached, uncertain of what to expect.


    I felt relieved as she took a ss of wine from the tray I held and continued talking to her friend. With a slight bow, I excused myself and walked away.


    Serving at a grand ball wasn¡¯t as unpleasant as I had expected. In fact, it let me enjoy the musical melodies and witness influential leaders from different packs. Moreover, it offered a glimpse into a world of power and prestige.


    After my tray was empty, I returned to the kitchen, prepared to refill it, and continued with my tasks.


    ¡°There, go to that table over there. They are running out of drinks,¡± Madam Cec¨¨ instructed, handing me yet another tray and pointing towards the central table.


    ¡°Yes, Madam,¡± I replied dutifully, my arms already aching from the strain of carrying the heavy trays. Maintaining focus was crucial; thest thing I wanted was to drop the drinks identally.

 Chapter 5: I Screw Up

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Approaching the table upied by a group of boisterous middle-aged men, I silently collected their empty sses and swiftly reced them with brimming ones. My hands trembled slightly as I set down the sses, my nerves betraying me.


    ¡°Be careful, dear. You might spill my drink,¡± one of the men remarked, noticing my unease.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Startled by hisment, I instinctively withdrew my hand, fearing the repercussions of breaking the rules we had been explicitly taught. We were strictly instructed not to engage with the guests. However, my terror caused me to fumble, and in an unfortunate turn of events, I spilled wine onto the man¡¯sp.


    ¡°Forgive me, my lord,¡± I stammered, fear gripping my entire being. My heart thudded heavily in my chest as I reached for a napkin and extended it towards him.


    Tremors coursed through my body as I anticipated the consequences of my mistake. Vienna had made it abundantly clear that any misstep would be met with severe punishment. Now, all I could think about was the impending punishment I would face for disregarding her rules.


    ¡°Please forgive me, my Lord,¡± I stammered repeatedly, as I swiftly reached for a napkin and extended it to him, my hands trembling with trepidation.


    The room fell silent as the incident disrupted the ongoing conversations of the others.


    ¡°Dear, it¡¯s quite alright. Wipe it away for me,¡± he responded, his smile bearing a sinister and unsettling air. Gripping my hand firmly, he directed it towards hisp, his intentions unmistakable. Instinctively, I broke free from his grasp, the sudden movement drawing the attention of those seated nearby.


    ¡°Adolphus, release the youngdy,¡± interjected one of the men, his voice firm and authoritative. I turned my gaze towards him, searching for a glimmer of empathy in his eyes.


    ¡°How dare you spill a drink on me!¡± Adolphus bellowed, his wounded pride fueling his indignation at my refusal toply with his inappropriate advances. I could feel the weight of everyone¡¯s eyes on us.


    ¡°I beg your forgiveness, my Lord,¡± I managed to utter, my voice trembling and tears welling up in my eyes.


    ¡°Remove your mask this instant,¡± hemanded, his words filled with a menacing undertone.


    Fear gripped me as I contemted the consequences of disobeying the strict instruction never to unveil my face under any circumstance.


    Dropping to my knees, I begged for mercy, my words barely audible in my distress. ¡°M-my Lord, I-I¡­¡±


    In one swift motion, he snatched the mask from my face and ruthlessly crushed it beneath his foot. My head bowed in submission, he ced his hand beneath my chin, tilting it upwards to meet his gaze. I caught a glimpse of his anger changing into a perverted desire.


    ¡°What a captivating face,¡± he whispered, his fingers gently caressing my face.


    Desperate to avoid his contact, I looked away, seeking help at the edges of my vision.


    ¡°It¡¯s truly a sad sight seeing your beautiful face. I can¡¯t help but wonder what kind of punishment is waiting for you,¡± he murmured softly, his voice filled with a perverted fascination as he leaned in and whispered into my ear.


    ¡°Come work for me, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯ll be satisfied in every way,¡± he went on,  his words tinged with an unpleasant offer. Disgust rose inside my mind as I was not that type of person. Despite my distaste for this mansion, I had a strong feeling that his kingdom held even more sinister terrors.


    A loud voice shattered the tense atmosphere as Monsieur announced his arrival. Sudden murmurs erupted from the guests inside the grand ballroom. The man suddenly let go of my face and turned to face our Alpha¡¯s authoritative figure.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± Monsieur¡¯s gaze pierced through the room, his eyes scanning the scene before settling on me. I met his gaze with teary eyes, a silent plea for understanding.


    ¡°Forgive me, Monsieur. It¡­. it was an unfortunate ident, I swear. I didn¡¯t mean to make¡­¡± I stammered, my words trailing off in distress.


    Vienna appeared at Monsieur¡¯s side, her eyes that were once curious now zing with fury as she looked at me.


    ¡°Please, Lord Adolphus, forgive my servant. I assure you, such an incident will never recur under my watchful eye,¡± Monsieur Remus interjected, attempting to diffuse the situation with his authoritative tone.


    ¡°It was not the girl¡¯s fault, uncle,¡± Lady Shire¡¯s voice rang out, her eyes steady as she stood by my side, offering her support. ¡°Lord Adolphus here was shamelessly harassing her.¡±


    I lifted my eyes to meet Lady Shire¡¯s persistent stare, gratitude flooding my heart for her brave defence.


    ¡°How dare you!¡± Lord Adolphus bellowed, his rage reverberating through the room.


    ¡°I witnessed the entire incident as I am seated right before you,¡± Lady Shire retorted, gesturing towards the table directly before us.


    ¡°Shire,¡± Monsieur Remus called out, his voicemanding her to stop the confrontation.


    Lady Shire turned her gaze towards me, her eyes brimming with concern. She extended her hand towards me, a gesture of kindness and understanding.


    ¡°My Lord Adolphus, I understand her beauty may capture your attention, but it is never eptable to touch a woman without her consent,¡± Lady Shire boldly asserted, her words striking a nerve.


    Lord Adolphus¡¯s face flushed red, anger visibly emanating from him like wisps of smoke. He was on the brink of an explosive outburst when hispanions managed to suppress him.


    ¡°My Lord Remus, please ept my sincerest apologies for my brother¡¯s despicable behavior. I will ensure he regains hisposure,¡± interjected one of the Lords, swiftly intervening and guiding Lord Adolphus away.


    Lady Shire turned her attention back to me, her eyes filled with genuine concern.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± she inquired, her voice filled with empathy.


    ¡°I apologise for themotion, everyone. There¡¯s no need to panic,¡± Monsieur Remus reassured, his friendly smile aiming to bring back a sense of calm to the room.


    ¡°Cercei, return to the kitchen, and Shire,e with me,¡± he continued, issuing instructions to all of us.


    Lady Shire cast onest nce in my direction, and I reciprocated with a reassuring smile, assuring her that I was indeed unharmed. She obediently followed Monsieur Remus, leaving me under Vienna¡¯s stern gaze.


    ¡°You wretched bitch!¡± she seethed, her voice a venomous whisper. With a furious grip on my arm, she forcefully dragged me outside, away from prying eyes.


    We arrived at the secluded spot behind the grand mansion, near the sheltering shadow of an ancient apple tree. She violently pushed me against the wall, her eyes were zing with intense anger that seemed to consume her.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re that desperate for attention, huh? Nothing new to that, bitch!¡± she spat, her words dripping with disdain.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to make a mistake. It was purely an ident. I beg your forgiveness, Vienna,¡± I quickly pleaded, my voice trembling with fear.


    ¡°I clearly told you to never make a mistake and to keep your face hidden!¡± she shouted, her voice seething with anger as she tightly clutched my arm.

 Chapter 6: Stranger

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Please, I begged you, find it in your heart to forgive me,¡± I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. Suddenly her eyes turned into a sinister shade of yellow, her hands transformed into savage paws covered with razor-sharp ws.


    Instinctively, I raised my hands to shield my face as she lunged at me, attacking with the strength of a wild beast. Desperate and in pain, I cried out, gravely attempting to avoid her vicious strikes.


    ¡°You are nothing but a lowly servant! Never forget your ce!¡± she growled, continuing in her ruthless attacks. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to dodge her dagger-like nails.


    ¡°Please, I beg you, stop!¡± I yelled and begged, my voice sounded like a desperate plea in the middle of her continuing attacks. My cries carried into the air, blending with the sound of my own suffering.


    ¡°Vienna!¡± Monsieur¡¯smanding voice shattered through the horrible scene, its deep was demanding attention and obedience.


    ¡°Release her,¡± themanding voice of the Alpha echoed through the air.


    Vienna emitted a low growl but reluctantly let go of me, allowing me to crumble to the ground, trembling and soaked in tears. Monsieur Remus swiftly approached, and concern appeared across his face.


    ¡°Return to the gathering, Vienna,¡± Monsieur spoke icily to his daughter, his tone brooking no argument.


    Vienna shifted to her human form,posed herself, and departed, leaving me in the aftermath of her aggression.


    ¡°Are you alright, Cercei?¡± Monsieur inquired softly, offering me his coat to cover my tear-streaked and bloodied form. Tenderly, he helped me to my feet, his touch surprisingly gentle given ourck of interaction throughout my life.


    ¡°Please, Monsieur, it was an unintended mistake. I never meant for any of this to happen. I beg for your forgiveness,¡± I pleaded, my voice quivering with remorse.


    ¡°Hush now. You should return to your room and tend to your wounds,¡± he replied, his voice a mixture ofpassion andmand. His genuine concern surprised me, and our closeness felt like a new and unfamiliar event I never anticipated.


    ¡°Monsieur, your presence is requested¡­¡± My father¡¯s voice trailed off as he caught sight of me. His eyes locked onto my face, then fell to the blood staining my hands.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± he uttered, worry appeared across his features. Hastily, he wiped away the tears from my eyes and examined my injuries. Monsieur Remus cleared his throat, discreetly receding to allow my father to tend to me.


    Overwhelmed by emotions, I broke down into uncontroble sobs, clutching onto my father forfort. He attempted tofort me, his presence acting like a healing touch for my broken spirit. However, the tears continued to flow, streaming down my cheeks without stopping.


    ¡°I never intended to offend Lord Adolphus, Pap¨¤. He was touching me, and I was frightened, and¡­¡± My words trailed off as my father pulled me closer into an embrace, holding me tightly.


    ¡°Hush,¡± heforted me, his presence a source of ease during my turmoil.


    Out of nowhere, I spotted our Alpha¡¯s form a short distance away. I stole a fleeting nce at Monsieur Remus, who stood before us with an impassive expression, a mysterious presence in the unfolding drama.


    ¡°Let us return inside, H¨¨nri,¡± Monsieur Remus dered, his tone devoid of warmth.


    ¡°Monsieur, may I stay with my daughter? She is injured and distraught,¡± my father pleaded, his voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°I require your presence inside. I will summon Cec¨¨ to attend to her,¡± Monsieur Remus responded, his words conveying a cold detachment.


    ¡°I will be fine, Pap¨¤. Please go now,¡± I assured him, offering a smile filled with reassurance. Despite his worry and hesitation, he reluctantly rose and followed Monsieur Remus back into the mansion.


    ¡°Cercei¡­¡± he gently called my name.


    ¡°Go!¡± I insisted, my voice firm. He continued to cast anxious nces in my direction as he walked away. I knew he did not want to leave me, but I could not bear the thought of him facing any repercussions on my behalf.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I lifted my gaze to the lonely sky, its darkness, and emptiness mirroring the anguish in my heart. Only the lone moon offeredpanionship, its pale glow a silent witness to my inner turmoil. I yearned to release my pent-up anger, to scream and spill them out until I felt relieved. It seemed that every time I found a semnce of happiness, fate intervened, often to shatter my fleeting happiness.


    Consumed by a vortex of rage and despair, I gave in to the raw anger consuming my fragile sanity. My body contorted and shifted, bones cracking and reforming as I transformed into a fearsome wolf. Ripping through my clothes, my form grewrger, my once green eyes turning a fiery red. My hands shifted into paws, each tip ending in razor-sharp ws. Then, letting out a powerful howl, I weed my new animal instinct, transforming into a stunning wolf with rich brown fur and burning red eyes.


    Racing into the heart of the forest, driven by an overpowering urge to run away briefly, I sprinted with powerful moves. The cold wind stung my dense fur, sweeping away the chaos of my troubled mind. I didn¡¯t care about the direction, for my sole objective was to put distance between myself and the torment that had overwhelmed my existence.


    Halting abruptly, I discovered a secluded rock cave hidden inside the heart of the woods. Even from a distance, I could hear the gentle trickle of water inside the cave. Guided by an unseen force, I entered cautiously, returning to my human form as slowly as possible, and soon the transformation faded away.


    Inside the cave, aforting hot spring was unveiled, its inviting waters calling out to me. Gradually, I moved closer to the water¡¯s edge, feeling its warmth wrap around me, providingfort to the fragments of my wounded body. As I immersed myself, the water¡¯s healing touch cleared away my wounds, alleviating the pain that had gripped me earlier.


    In that peaceful moment, an unusual smell drifted in the air, awakening something inside me. It was both familiar and strange, igniting my senses. I looked around, trying to find where this mysterious scent wasing from, but unfortunately, all I could see were rocks.


    Shaking my head, I brushed it off as something my mind had conjured. I immersed myselfpletely in the water, findingfort in breathing in fresh air when I came up again. However, when I opened my eyes, I was taken aback-an enormous and splendid wolf stood right in front of me, leaving me breathless.


    Covered in fur as pure as newly fallen snow and with eyes as red as spilled blood, it had a captivating and mysterious presence. Surprised and anxious, I reacted quickly, changing back into my wolf form. A wordless interaction followed our gazes meeting, shaping a deep connection that went beyond words.


    The scent had awakened a hidden feeling deep inside my heart, unleashing a part of myself that I hadn¡¯t explored before, a raw and unrestrained wildness. Ovee by indescribable feelings, I sprinted immediately, distancing myself from the mysterious wolf. The echoes of its pursuit remained in my ears, yet the forest was my safe haven, and I was familiar with its trails.


    After what felt like an endless run, I eventually lost sight of the majestic wolf. My head pounded heavily, as if it might explode any moment, the weight of the day¡¯s happenings pressing down on me. Unclear emotions churned inside, leaving me both exhausted and empty. With every step, it was as though I walked on air, detached from the real world as I neared the imposing gates of my own personal hell, the Crescent mansion.


    Gazing up at the massive gate, it appeared to be inviting me back to the mansion, a grand estate of chaos and suffering, a clear reminder of the darkness that consumed my life for eighteen years.

 Chapter 7: The Terrible Birthday Present

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    As I approached the grand gate of the mansion, a sense of foreboding gripped my senses. The atmosphere was heavy as if the remnants of a once lively party lingered in the air. However, no guests were in sight, and the darkness enveloped the surroundings, with the lights ominously switched off.


    As I stepped through the entrance, I was met by Maria¡¯s worried countenance at the door. ¡°Where have you been?¡± she inquired anxiously.


    ¡°Just taking a moment to breathe,¡± I responded, noticing the distress appeared on her face. She seemed perturbed and on edge.


    ¡°Is there something wrong, Maria?¡± I furrowed my brows, waiting for her answer. She averted her gaze, concealing her unease with a forced smile.


    ¡°Shall we go for a stroll? Let¡¯s leave this ce,¡± she urged, reaching out to grasp my arm. I stood my ground, captivated by her strange behavior. This time, she met my gaze, her eyes reflecting fear, panic, and uneasiness.


    ¡°Maria, please, tell me what¡¯s bothering you,¡± I begged her.


    Sheughed feebly and once again averted her eyes. I tried to catch her gaze, sensing that something was indeed wrong. Her gaze drifted down to my arms; even in the dimness, my wounds did not escape her observant eyes. She sped my arm gently, scrutinising it closely.


    ¡°Cercei, what happened?¡± she asked, her concern clearly visible. I pulled my arm back, hiding it behind my back.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I reassured her.


    ¡°Was it Vienna?¡± she stated with certainty. I nodded in confirmation.


    ¡°That wretched woman,¡± she gritted her teeth in anger.


    ¡°Maria, please, let me know if something is wrong,¡± I steered the conversation in a different direction.


    ¡°N-nothing, I just wanted to spend time with you on your birthday,¡± she stammered, her unease still lingering. Despite my reservations, I allowed her to pull me. Perhaps it was wise to take a brief walk before returning back into the mansion to face Vienna. I knew that she wasn¡¯t done with me yet.


    Just as Maria began to pull me away, the sound of shattering ss reached our ears, followed by a blood-curdling scream. I shifted my attention toward the mansion, the turmoil audible even from outside, and it was terrifying. Maria tugged at me more forcefully, determined to keep me away from whatever chaos was unfolding inside the mansion. I stopped her tracks abruptly.


    ¡°Maria, please, I beg you, tell me what is happening,¡± I pleaded desperately, a hint of panic creeping into my voice.


    ¡°Nothing is happening, let¡¯s go,¡± she insisted, attempting to reach for my hand once more. But I resisted, my intuition telling me that something was gravely happening inside the mansion.


    As I nced back at the mansion, another sound reached my ears, unmistakably my mother¡¯s cry. Without hesitation, I rushed towards the door, Maria calling out my name in a futile attempt to stop me. Fear and worry overwhelmed my consciousness, rendering me deaf to her pleas.


    When I swung open the door, a scene of sheer horror greeted my eyes. My fathery on the floor, his body drenched in his own blood, while my mother wept uncontrobly by his side.


    My heart sank, and my legs felt weak as I approached them slowly. My mind was nk, unable to process the magnitude of the tragedy before my eyes. My mother looked at me with shock, shaking her head as a warning to stay back.


    ¡°Pap¨¤,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling.


    ¡°Cercei, get out of here,¡± my mother¡¯s voice trembled with fear.


    My trembling hands reached out to touch my father¡¯s face, desperately hoping for him to stir awake.


    ¡°Pap¨¤!¡± I called out, my voice rising as I gently shook him. Tears streamed down my face, unbridled grief consuming me. Hey before me, covered in bruises and wounds, with arge gaping hole in his chest.


    ¡°Cercei, please, get the hell out of here,¡± my mother pleaded, attempting to push me away.


    ¡°No!¡± I forcefully pushed her hand aside. My mother¡¯s hands pressed against my shoulders, holding me back, preventing me from getting closer to my father. Yet, I persisted, clutching my father¡¯s lifeless hand in mine.


    ¡°This is what happens to those who dare stand in my way!¡± bellowed our evil Alpha, his voice reverberating through the room. I turned my stare towards him, witnessing his own battered and bruised form, his suit torn apart. My eyes fell on his hand, and I instinctively brought my own hand to my mouth to stifle a scream.


    Blood dripped from his hand as he gripped my father¡¯s heart. Overwhelmed by hysterical cries, I copsed onto the floor, drenched in my father¡¯s blood, my gaze fixed on Monsieur Remus, my fury burning intensely each passing moment.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Consumed by a burning anger, I rose to my feet, wanting tounch an attack against the Alpha, oblivious to my own position or the dire circumstances.


    Before I could take a single step, my mother interrupted me, holding me back with desperate strength. I struggled against her grasp, but she clung to me as if her life depended on it.


    Monsieur Remusughed, enjoying the anger that distorted my expression. Vienna stood at a distance, trembling and shocked, a silent witness to the unfolding tragedy.


    ¡°Oh, my, I never knew you possessed such anger, Cercei,¡± he taunted, a chuckle escaping his lips.


    ¡°My father stood by your side for so long. How could you do this to him?!¡± I demanded through tear-streaked cheeks, my voice filled with fury.


    ¡°Your father,¡± he emphasized thest word, ¡°forgot his ce and dared to stand in my way.¡± He took a step closer, but my mother swiftly shielded me, bravely facing the Alpha.


    ¡°I beg you, do not harm her. She knows nothing, please,¡± my mother pleaded, her voice wrapped with misery.


    ¡°You would be wise to remember your ce. Let your father¡¯s demise serve as a constant reminder,¡± he heartlessly dropped my father¡¯s heart onto the floor, mercilessly crushing it underfoot before leaving. My mother sank to her knees in a mix of relief and grief while Vienna averted her gaze and silently retreated.


    I embraced my mother tightly as she let out abundant tears flowing down her cheeks, both of us drenched in blood and sorrow, clinging to my father¡¯s lifeless form.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, what happened?¡± I inquired, seeking answers. Yet, she continued to weep, seemingly oblivious to my question. I held her shoulders, urging her to look at me, but she couldn¡¯t meet my eyes.


    ¡°Please, tell me,¡± frustration seeped into my voice. It felt as if I had asked that question countless times today, yet no one seemed willing to provide me with the truth. She shook her head, unable to bring herself to speak.


    Copsing against me, she cried as if her own heart had been torn away; perhaps it truly had. I knew how much she loved my father; he was everything to her, just as she was to him. I stopped asking questions, giving her space to mourn in her own way.


    Aforting touch on my shoulders made me look up, and I found Maria standing by my side, her own eyes brimming with tears.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered, her voice choked with grief.


    Resting my head on her shoulder, I continued to hold my mother while she foundfort in my embrace. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by pain and exhaustion. This, undoubtedly, was far from the joyful birthday I had anticipated.

 Chapter 8: Apparent Cruelty

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Following the tragic events of that fateful night, we were abruptly forced out of the grand mansion and had to move to the modest cabin at the back, right next to the old apple tree.


    Even though the cabin¡¯s walls were barely holding on, it was a more weing home than going back to the clutches of that dreadful curse. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to sleep in our previous room, understanding all too well that my father was no longer with us.


    Watching my mother as she diligently swept the old, dusty floor, I couldn¡¯t help but notice her deep silence following Pap¨¤¡¯s passing. She seldom mentioned the matter, choosing to cry continuously while gazing at her wedding ring with longing and sadness.


    I wanted to ask her about the events of that terrible night, but I knew inside that she wasn¡¯t ready for that conversation yet. Despite my growing curiosity, I made an effort to be patient, allowing her to mourn.


    Even after being forced out of the mansion, we were still serving the Alpha and her daughter. My mother continued to work as Monsieur¡¯s personal maid, a role I couldn¡¯t imagine taking on myself ¨C serving the man who had snuffed out my father¡¯s life mercilessly was merely an insult for me.


    Though consumed by an overwhelming desire for revenge and hatred, my mother sternly forbade me from taking any action, insisting that silence was our only recourse. She imed she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing me too, and as much as I despise her reasoning, I, too, couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing my mother. I knew very well that Monsieur had the ability to do whatever he wanted, as he consistently proved himself ruthless and powerful. And so, we kept our silence, even in the midst of everything that had happened.


    ¡°You should eat, Cercei. You know, starving isn¡¯t an option,¡± Maria interjected, lending me a hand in transferring our belongings to the cabin. My mother remained at the mansion, tending to Monsieur¡¯s needs.


    ¡°I have no appetite,¡± I responded, skillfully folding our small collection of clothes.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since west went on a hunting trip together. Would you be interested in doing it today?¡± Maria suggested.


    ¡°I can¡¯t, I¡¯m busy with work,¡± I answered, without even sparing a single nce in her direction.


    ¡°We can hunt at night, just like we used to,¡± she insisted. I knew she was merely attempting to divert my attention from the depths of my grief, but I was still trapped in the clutches of the trauma of that night.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Maria, I can¡¯t act like everything is fine when it¡¯s clearly not,¡± I confronted her, and she looked at me with genuine concern, tinged with a trace of sympathy in her eyes.


    ¡°We¡¯re not trying to pretend things are normal, Cercei. I am certain your father would not wish to see you in such a state.¡±


    I paused, considering Maria¡¯s words. She was right. Pap¨¤ wouldn¡¯t want us to be consumed by grief. He would want us to carry on with our lives, not dwelling on the past. Yet, the events of that night had left an unfading mark on our souls. I¡¯m sorry, Pap¨¤, but it seems we¡¯ll be grappling with it for some time.


    ¡°I simply can¡¯t bear to see you like this. I understand that what happened has caused you immense pain, but you mustn¡¯t lose yourself, Cercei, just as you lost your father,¡± she said, gripping my hand.


    Tears shimmered in my eyes as I looked at the one person who genuinely cared for me, aside from my parents. I embraced her tightly, letting my guard down. She gently rubbed my back as I wept. Over the past few days, I had been striving to remain strong for my mother, suppressing any hint of vulnerability. I wanted her to know she could lean on me. Perhaps I had been too harsh on myself.


    ¡°Quiet now, I have something for you,¡± she whispered, pulling away slightly to retrieve a paper bag by her side. I wiped away my tears as she handed it to me.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I inquired, curiosity piqued.


    ¡°It¡¯s my gift. I had intended to give it to you on your birthday, but¡­¡± She trailed off, her voiceden with unspoken emotions.


    ¡°Open it,¡± she urged, gesturing towards the bag. Iplied, unfastening the bag to reveal a stunning sage green dress. I looked at it with amazement. The dress exudes elegance, decorated with intricately embroidered leaf-like patterns. It boasted a sweetheart neckline and a flowing yet form-fitting skirt that fell a few inches below the knee.


    ¡°Maria,¡± I uttered, disbelief coloring my voice. It was undoubtedly the most exquisite and refined item of clothing I now possessed.


    ¡°It matches your eyes,¡± she smiled, pointing to her own eyes. I embraced her once again.


    ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I murmured, my eyes fixed on the dress.


    ¡°But where did you get this one? This looks incredibly expensive,¡± I asked, examining it closely. I had a feeling this dress must have been quite expensive.


    ¡°Oh, um, I¡­I managed to find it at a thrift store before I began working here,¡± she responded nervously. I nodded, understanding her exnation. It made sense, considering the small sry we received and the strict prohibition on leaving the premises.


    Once we had settled our belongings and tidied up the cabin, we made our way back to the mansion to resume our duties. I hadn¡¯t encountered Vienna since that dreadful night, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a slight sense of relief. I already had enough on my te without having to deal with her ¡°idents.¡±


    For the rest of the day, I busied myself in the kitchen, purposely avoiding any interactions with Monsieur. I had no desire to be reminded of his cruelty, and with Vienna out of the picture, it made avoiding him became quite simple.


    ¡°Mam¨¤,¡± I whispered as she returned from the mansion. I had been pretending to be asleep when I heard her arrival.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± she greeted me with a faint smile, leaning in to kiss my forehead. Even in the dim light, I couldn¡¯t miss the cut on her lip or the bruise on her neck.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, are you hurt?¡± I inquired, attempting to reach out and touch her neck, but she intercepted my hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, honey. No need to worry,¡± She reassured me.


    ¡°Did he hurt you?¡± I pressed further, concern carved across my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright now. Go back to sleep,¡± she urged gently.


    Though worry and concern for my mother consumed my thoughts, I chose not to push for further answers. I didn¡¯t want to burden her with additional troubles.


    After changing her clothes, Mam¨¤ went to her bed and soon fell into a deep sleep. I stared at her weary face, finding myself unable to drift back into sleep. So, I slowly went outside, seekingfort beneath the sheltering branches of the apple tree.


    I sat down beneath its branches and looked up at the sky, questioning the heavens for their apparent cruelty. What had I done to end up in this situation? How grave were my sins in a previous life to be subjected to such harsh punishment in my present existence?


    I closed my eyes, allowing the chilly breeze to envelop me. The image of the white wolf I had encountered in the cave shed across my mind. Not a day had passed since that night without his memory haunting me. Even in the depths of pain and sorrow, the thought of him offered a glimmer offort. I wondered who he was and whether I would ever cross paths with him again.

 Chapter 9: A Grand Gathering

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    I snatched the vase from the table and flung it forcefully against the wall of my study. With a frustrated sigh, I shut my eyes tightly.


    My patience is wearing thin; I can sense my temperament growing more vulnerable with each passing day. I¡¯m struggling to figure out what¡¯s happening to me. It¡¯s like I¡¯m yearning for something, an unquenchable longing that I can¡¯t quite define. A deep hunger gnaws at me, consuming my reason entirely. It surrounds me in the zing heat, melting away any shreds of sanity.


    ¡°Sire, you mustpose yourself,¡± Frank, my butler, reminded me.


    I let out a growl as I grabbed my own hair, sensing the heat radiating from my body. Anything within hand¡¯s reach on the table turned into my weapon, thrown around without care. I kicked the table, making the office tremble while the ss shattered. Fortunately, the room was soundproofed, keeping the outside world unaware of the turmoil unfolding inside.


    I took a moment to catch my breath.


    Frank stood by the door, his expression marked with worry. He was the son of my father¡¯s butler, and we had worked together since we were both sixteen. He had been a constantpanion throughout my upbringing. The worry marked on his face revealed more than his role as my butler; he was also a dear friend.


    ¡°Leave,¡± Imanded, my voice cold and resolute.


    Reluctantly, he left, picking up on the coldness in my voice. I massaged the bridge of my nose, trying to push aside the unmistakable indications. But deep down, I knew what was happening. I was losing control over myself-my patience, my sanity, my very essence. Gazing at my reflection in the ss wall, I observed my dishevelled hair, rumpled suit, and eyes aze with fiery red. A burning need consumed me, an unquenchable thirst that no number of women I had slept with could satisfy.


    I need to find my mate. It¡¯s the only way to calm the madness consuming me.


    ¡°Son, I¡¯m worried about you,¡± my mother said during our dinner.


    ¡°I have everything under control, Mother, no need to worry,¡± I tried to reassure her.


    ¡°Not to worry? I¡¯ve witnessed how you¡¯ve been losing control recently, Lucian. I¡¯m your mother, there¡¯s nothing you can hide from me,¡± she retorted, her voice wrapped with worry and concern.


    I continued to eat, maintaining a stoic expression to conceal my vulnerability.


    ¡°Your father experienced the same madness before he found me,¡± my mother approached me.


    ¡°Do not resist it. Let it consume you,¡± she said, cing her hand on my face.


    ¡°I have a pack and apany to lead. I cannot allow myself to be consumed by this,¡± I responded. Allowing this madness to overtake me would be the gravest mistake I could make as a leader.


    ¡°The pack and thepany will fall into chaos if you continue to resist it,¡± my mother asserted.


    As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. In this state, I cannot effectively lead.


    ¡°You must find her as soon as possible. You are the future of our pack,¡± she urged.


    I looked at her seriously. ¡°I will.¡±


    The longer an Alpha wolf goes without finding their mate, the more the wolf¡¯s aggression intensifies. If left unmated for too long, the wolf will overpower the shapeshifter, eradicating all rational thought.


    During the previous week, I had been tormented, reacting sharply to even the slightest triggers. And as my mother had warned, I had been resisting the urge to find my mate.


    Still, I shouldn¡¯t rush into things too soon. I¡¯m not ready for such a bigmitment, and I¡¯m already overwhelmed with work and obligations being a CEO and an Alpha. I¡¯m not into a serious rtionship, I prefer casual encounters without emotionalplications. Dealing with clingy, possessive women who always need my attention and affection is not my cup of tea. Marriage isn¡¯t something I¡¯m considering, but finding my mate is a definite priority.


    The moment has arrived; I can¡¯t avoid it any longer. It is my responsibility to find a mate and maintain the delicate bnce between my pack and myself. And if fate allows, to produce heirs.


    ¡°Sire,¡± I was engrossed in the documents in front of me when Frank entered my office.


    ¡°Lord Edward Hess has requested an audience with you.¡±


    ¡°Uncle,¡± I greeted him, returning his smile as he revealed his golden tooth.


    ¡°Ah, nephew,¡± he patted my back in a friendly manner.


    ¡°To what do I owe this pleasure?¡±


    ¡°God, you sound just like your father,¡± he chuckled.


    Uncle Edward had always been the easygoing uncle. He was the second son of my mother¡¯s pack, and I grew up closely with him. Their older brother, Uncle John, held the position of an Alpha. Besides my father, he had been my mentor and devoted ally in the West.


    ¡°I just returned from my trip to France and decided to drop here to check on you.¡±


    ¡°Everything is well, Uncle. Thepany is thriving, and the pack remains strong.¡±


    ¡°Ah, no wonder they call you the King in the North,¡± he grinned. ¡°I see no ring on your finger, boy. Mating hasn¡¯te knocking at your doorstep yet?¡± he remarked, trying to make a joke. However, myck of response caught him off guard.


    ¡°You¡­¡± He burst intoughter, and I joined in.


    ¡°You know, your Uncle John went through the same thing, and so did your father. How are you dealing with it?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°It¡¯s bloody awful. I don¡¯t likemitment, you know.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a hurdle you must ovee as an Alpha. Mating isn¡¯t a choice, you understand. It¡¯s a duty and part of your fate. Face it, Lucian,¡± he tapped my shoulder in a supportive manner.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying, Uncle.¡±


    ¡°Try harder, trust me. You won¡¯t like the alternative,¡± he said, rising to his feet and adjusting his coat.


    ¡°By the way, the Moon Ball is scheduled for the next full moon. House Crescent has been chosen as this year¡¯s host. You are requested and obligated to attend. It might be an opportunity for you to find your mate,¡± he informed me before taking his leave.


    The Moon Ball-a grand gathering of all the lords anddies who led packs from the North and the West. My uncle had a point. Perhaps I should seize this chance to find my mate and bring this turbulent Chapter to a close.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Frank,¡± I called out.


    ¡°I have a ball to attend.¡±

 Chapter 10: Let It Consume You

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°The Fells are getting closer to our borders, and they are well aware of it. We mustn¡¯t allow them to see us as incapable of protecting ournds,¡± Lord Dandaario, a member of my small council, expressed his worries.


    We currently find ourselves engrossed in a meeting, deliberating the audacious intrusion of the Fell packs onto our territory.


    ¡°Lord Danbury Fell, a man with influential connections to the southern Lords, leads their pack. Provoking them would be unwise,¡± remarked Lord Ferell, a trusted confidant of my father.


    Lord Dandaario forcefully struck the table in a fit of anger.


    ¡°They are the ones causing trouble, Lord Ferell. We can¡¯t allow them to believe that the North can be taken lightly. Their invasion is not only an insult to our pack but also a direct challenge,¡± he asserted vehemently.


    I rubbed my temples, sensing the return of all the emotions I had worked hard to suppress.


    ¡°Please, my Lords, let us maintainposure. We cannot effectively address the matter with the Fells if we resort to bickering amongst ourselves,¡± Lady Stark interjected, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.


    ¡°Lord Lucian, do you have any input?¡± All eyes around the table turned to me, waiting for my response. I clenched my fist beneath the table as a surge of burning rage coursed through me.


    ¡°We will give the Fells exactly what they¡¯re looking for,¡± I replied through gritted teeth.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Lucian, you must carefully consider the implications. This could escte into a full-blown war,¡± Lord Ferell attempted to reason with me. I turned my gaze to him, taken aback by his audacity to question my decision.


    ¡°Are you daring to question me, my Lord?¡± I addressed him intently, watching his face register visible shock at the intensity disyed on mine.


    Frank, standing silently behind me, discreetly moved closer.


    ¡°Your eyes, Sire,¡± he whispered into my ear.


    I halted at his words, shutting my eyes tightly. Perhaps they had turned a fiery shade of red, a clear sign of my waning temper. Losing control once more. Scanning the room, I observed the expressions of fear and concern marked on the faces of the people surrounding me.


    ¡°The Fells will either retreat from ournds willingly or be forced to do so. Until then, no action will be taken without my explicitmand,¡± I dered with firm finality.


    ¡°That concludes our discussions for this evening,¡± I announced curtly before leaving.


    Frank trailed behind me as I stormed out of the room, each step resonating with anger and fury,pelling those I encountered in the corridors to bow down in fear.


    Naturally, my employees and council members harboured a certain degree of fear towards me. Effective leadership often necessitates instilling a measure of apprehension. Yet, what they bore witness to today exceeded those bounds. I had tried hard to hide my condition over the past weeks, but it had inadvertently surfaced earlier. Revealing weakness or vulnerability was simply not an option.


    ¡°Sire,¡± Frank called out, struggling to keep pace with my brisk stride. I entered the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor, desperately needing a brief rest to clear my head. Frank hurriedly attempted to halt the closing doors, but they had already sealed shut.


    Upon reaching the parking lot, I retrieved my keys. This incessant mating ordeal was driving me to the brink of madness. I desperately needed a break this time.


    ¡°Sire, where are you going?¡± Frank pleaded, trying to stop the car¡¯s movement. I rolled down the window instantly, throwing a sharp nce at him.


    ¡°Get out of my damn way,¡± I seethed, pressing down on the pedals. Frank hastily veered to the side, narrowly avoiding the collision. I promptly raised the window, shutting him out.


    Honestly, I didn¡¯t have a specific destination in mind. I simply drove recklessly through the night at breakneck speed, yearning to escape the suffocating atmosphere. I couldn¡¯t let them see me in such a state of turmoil. If my people saw me ascking control, their confidence would waver as well. I held the duty of maintaining stability, but how could I achieve that bnce if I myself was struggling?


    Lost deep in thought, I suddenly found myself halting in the middle of the expanse of a forest. Jumping off my car, I secured it and slipped my hands into my pockets. Sitting on the car hood, I tilted my gaze upward, fixating on the single moon that appeared in the night sky.


    ¡°What on earth is happening to me, Pap¨¤?¡± I uttered, my voice filled with anguish.


    It had been three years since my father¡¯s passing, a cruel and rare ailment snatching him away from this world. In his absence, I assumed the position of an Alpha, leading our pack, and took on the role of the CEO of our family¡¯s business empire. Even though I had been trained and engaged in the operations of our businesses while he was alive, the emptiness he left behind was still deeply felt.


    Time had gone by, and I had sessfully surpassed the uncertain path, figuring out the type of leader I wanted to be and picking up a few strategies to keep thepany thriving. Just as I was starting to regainmand of my life after my father¡¯s passing, this condition struck me.


    Closing my eyes, I drew in a deep breath. Echoes of my mother¡¯s voice reverberated through my mind, ¡°Let it consume you.¡±


    Clearing my thoughts, I let go of the firm grip on my suppressed emotions. I embraced the surging tide of feelings, allowing the burning sensations to engulf my entire being.


    Giving in to the flood of pent-up emotions, I felt my very bones crack and shift. Opening my eyes, I knew they had transformed into a fiery crimson hue. The transformation into my wolf form had started, and I willingly gave in to each sensation and emotion, embracing the overwhelming torrent that coursed through me.


    After the transformation had beenpleted, I sprinted through the forest, feeling free and unrestrained. The chill breeze caressed my fur, and the moon illuminated my path, serving as my sole guide in the deepest part of the vast forest.


    In that wild and unbridled state, I enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, savouring the freedom offered by night. Fully unaware of my surroundings, time slipped away, and exhaustion eventually engulfed me, luring me into a deep sleep in the middle of the woods.


    ****


    Waking from my heavy sleep, I discovered myself in my human form, without any clothes on. Looking around,  I attempted to retrace my steps, struggling to recall the way home. Everything seemed strange, and I couldn¡¯t transform into a wolf as the scorching sun beat down from above.


    I tried to find my way back, wandering through the wilderness without clothes, relying on brief shes of recognition. Hours stretched on as I slowly walked my way, until finally, I emerged from the woods and found my car. Thankfully, no one hade across me during my naked walk.


    Even though I had lost my keys, the fingerprint scanner allowed me to get inside the car, making me settle safely and easily without anybody noticing my nakedness. I drove my way back home, only to find my concerned mother waiting anxiously at the gates.

 Chapter 11: Deep Within The Cave

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    I decided to take a few days off work after the scene I caused at the meeting. I simplycked the energy and patience to face their concerned expressions and answer their probing questions.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Your Highness, your ne is ready,¡± Frank informed me, and I just nodded.


    Opting to head west for the Moon Ball, as per my obligatory invitation, I entrusted thepany and the pack to my mother during my absence.


    Upon my arrival at the MoonStone mansion, a strange, delicate fragrance wafted into my nostrils. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply, allowing it to envelop me. It was an unfamiliar scent, yet oddly familiar. It awakened a profound hunger inside me, one I had painstakingly tried to suppress.


    ¡°Lord Lucian Red, a pleasure to have you here,¡± Lord Remus greeted me.


    ¡°The pleasure is entirely mine, My Lord,¡± I replied, sping his outstretched hand.


    ¡°You should meet my daughter; she is eagerly anticipating your arrival,¡± he chuckled, leading me inside.


    As I stepped into his wealthy mansion, the scent intensified. Lord Remus attempted to introduce me to his daughter, but other guests swiftly interrupted our conversation.


    ¡°The King in the North, a pleasure to see you here, My Lord. I am Lady Lyanna Frey of the Lotus pack,¡± she offered her hand, and I epted it.


    ¡°A pleasure to meet you too, My Lady,¡± I responded briefly.


    Numerous other lords anddies approached me, eager to introduce themselves, yet my attention remained fixed on the scent. Finally, escaping their grasp, I explored through the rooms, attempting to trace the source of the intoxicating scent.


    However, this turned out to be a poorly thought-out strategy, as I was consistently stopped and approached at every corner, hindering my attempt to find the source of the scent.


    After a series of conversations, I looked for some relief outside. The entire grand mansion seemed to carry the scent, which I believed belonged to my destined mate. When a wolf turns 18, they emit a unique scent that only their destined mates can detect.


    I knew without a doubt that the scent belonged to her, it pierced through me, triggering an onught of emotions I had buried deep inside. As I strolled casually through the garden, I found myself at the back of the mansion, where an apple tree stood, and the familiar scent suddenly floated in the air, indicating her presence.


    In a moment of overwhelming intensity, I dropped my drink, the scent stirring uncontroble reactions inside me. Falling to my knees, I fought against the rising tide of transformation, biting my tongue to stifle the pain and suppress the screams that threatened to escape.


    Agony coursed through me as every bone in my body shattered, my hand contorting into paws. The grip on my form slipped away, and I surrendered to the consuming power of the transformation. Now, at the back of the bustling gathering, I wriggled beneath the brilliance of the full moon, bones breaking and reshaping.


    After my transformation, I bolted away with all the speed my wolf form could muster, desperate to remain hidden from prying eyes. Without my knowledge, I had wandered far into the unfamiliar woods, aimlessly moving around as I tried to find my way back.


    While exploring, I stumbled on a stone cave nestled inside the forest¡¯s heart. A strange scent drifted from within, creating an intriguing sensation. Drawn by its oddly familiar yet captivating scent, I went deeper into the cave, the fragrance growing stronger with every step. The soft melody of flowing water echoed through the air.


    The scent led me to a hidden, hot spring nestled inside the depths of the cave. There, I saw a woman with her back turned to me. Her luscious brown hair danced with each movement, and my attention fixated on the blood trickling down her arm as she strived to cleanse it with the water. I observed her from a distance, studying her intently, imprinting every aspect of her and her actions into my mind. As I observed her from behind, I could sense that she was beautiful.


    Gracefully, she submerged herself in the water, her entire form vanishing beneath its surface. With precise steps, I approached the water¡¯s edge. A full minute psed before she resurfaced, gasping for breath. It was then that our eyes locked, the deepest connection formed between us. I stared into her captivating siren-like green eyes as if gazing into the depths of her soul, and she returned my gaze. In a captivating moment, her green eyes transformed into vibrant crimson as she regained herposure.


    After a minute of locking our eyes, a wave of realisation crossed her face, and the eerie and terrifying nature of our encounter seemed to hit her. Hastily, she hurried out of the water, her heart racing with panic and fear. Standing before me, she mustered every ounce of her strength. I, too, was taken aback and momentarily captivated, to the point that it took me a while to notice her transformation into a wolf and her quick retreat into the depths of the forest before I could fully see her face.


    Wanting to rify the situation and introduce myself, I tried to chase after her. Unfortunately, she was swift and well-acquainted with the intricate forest paths, effortlessly avoiding my attempts to catch up. I was left standing there, overwhelmed by a mixture of emotions that I found difficult to understand, much like a bewildered wolf.


    Minutes ticked by as I stood there alone, lost in a haze of confusion. Eventually, I retraced my steps back to the mansion, mindful of the impending dawn. I reached the apple tree, my clothes in ruins, standing naked in the aftermath of my transformation. I picked up my phone, which I had likely dropped during my transformation, and I dialled my butler, immediately asking him to pick me up. Remembering the spare clothes in my car, I felt thankful for having them.


    Frank arrived, carrying a bag containing my clothes. After donning the fresh garments, I bid farewell to Lord Remus and expressed my gratitude. With a smile on my lips, I departed from the mansion that night.


    ncing at Frank¡¯s reflection in the rearview mirror, I could see his constant gaze fixed on me.


    ¡°Keep your eyes on the road, Frank. We wouldn¡¯t want to meet with an unfortunate ident, especially when I have just encountered my mate,¡± I advised, eliciting a wide-eyed response from him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve found her, Sire?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°Deep inside the cave, in the heart of the forest,¡± I chuckled, enjoying the unsudden nature of the encounter. I knew deep in my heart that I felt happy, causing a wide smile at the corner of my lips to merely fade.


    A smile filled Frank¡¯s face as he observed me from behind, joining in my happiness, though perhaps questioning my sanity.


    It seemed that I would have to prolong my break from work, as there were pressing matters that demanded my immediate attention.

 Chapter 12: The Vixen Returns

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Surprisingly, the vixen has made her return,¡± Maria sighed, rolling her eyes in exasperation. A servant had just informed me that Vienna was summoning me to the barn.


    Since the Alpha took my father¡¯s life that fateful night, Vienna had hidden herself in her room. I presumed she was ovee with fear after witnessing such a gruesome event. Although she possessed a mischievous streak and could be quite the bully, she had never truly engaged in such severe violence before.


    ¡°One of these days, Vienna will definitely have your tongue,¡± I mused, reminding her of the possible punishment she might receive.


    ¡°Which tongue? This one?¡± she jeered, sticking out her tongue and attempting to lick my face.


    ¡°Disgusting, Maria! Ew!¡± I chuckled, swiftly avoiding her advances and yfully nudging her before making my way back to the barn. She responded by defiantly extending her middle finger at me before resuming her garden duties with a broom in hand.


    Inhaling deeply, I gingerly opened the doors to the barn, expecting Vienna to have resumed her mission of making my life a living hell. To my surprise, there was no one in sight at this moment, even the horses that were kept here.


    ¡°Miss?¡± I called her name. I took a step forward, an ill-fated move, as I, unfortunately, stepped into a taut rope.


    ¡°Miss Vie¡­¡± I barely managed to utter before a deluge of muddy water came crashing down on me,pletely drenching my entire being.


    Vienna¡¯sughter echoed in the barn as I stood there, stunned by her prank. She pped her hands with delight, finding great amusement in my sorry condition, covered in mud.


    I clenched my fists tightly as I looked at her, struggling to control my anger.


    ¡°Gotcha,¡± she eximed with a mischievous wink.


    ¡°Bravo, Miss,¡± I forced a smile through gritted teeth.


    ¡°Oh, Cercei, the enchanting wolf maid, forgive me, for I have misbehaved against you,¡± she mockingly implored with an exaggerated tone, puppy dog eyes appearing on her face.


    Nevertheless, I maintained myposure and responded with a serene smile after I calmed down. I was well aware that it annoyed her when she couldn¡¯t provoke the reaction she wanted from me. After going through a challenging week filled with difficulties, I just didn¡¯t have the energy to indulge in her immature and crazy behavior.


    ¡°May I be excused now, Miss Vienna? I still have the kitchen to attend to,¡± I politely inquired, an action that seemed to ignite her fury. Her devious smile vanished, reced by a seething re directed squarely at me.


    ¡°But our little game isn¡¯t over yet,¡± she sneered, seizing the barrel of grass meant for the horses¡¯ nourishment and throwing them in my direction. Due to the water¡¯s wet and muddy consistency from her previous dousing, the grass clung to me like leeches.


    Summoning every ounce of patience, I closed my eyes and gingerly removed the des of grass thrusting from my mouth.


    ¡°And now we¡¯re done. You¡¯re making my day joyous. You can go back to your duty,¡± she dismissively waved her hand, attempting to shoo me away.


    My jaw clenched in irritation as I stormed out of the barn. How could she be so heartless after everything I had endured? I didn¡¯t expect her to disy kindness, but a shred of sympathy wouldn¡¯t be too burdensome if she had. After all, she was there when her father mercilessly tore my father¡¯s heart from his chest.


    ¡°What happened, dear?¡± Mam¨¤ inquired, her voice wrapped with concern.


    ¡°Vienna,¡± I replied simply, the weight of the situation evident in my tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that, honey,¡± she expressed, gazing at me with a pitying look. I merely nced at her before retreating to the modest bathroom in our cabin, where I diligently set about cleansing myself. It required a lot of work to remove the stubborn stickiness of the mud from me, but I felt much more refreshed after finishing the task.


    ¡°Allow me,¡± she tenderly said, reaching for the brush in my hand and proceeding to gentlyb through my hair herself. I gazed at our reflections in the mirror.


    Mam¨¤ had grown visibly thinner, the bags beneath her eyes more visible, and her countenance betrayed the turmoil she carried deep inside her heart. My heart ached at the sight of her, and she paused her brushing, gripping my shoulders and meeting my eyes through our shared reflection.


    ¡°Why are you crying?¡± Noticing my tears, she asked, her voice filled with gentleness. I shook my head and mustered a feeble smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I simply miss Pap¨¤.¡± In the aftermath of the tragedy, I had done my best to avoid discussing my father, fully aware of the intense impact it had on my mother. This was the first time I had brought up the topic of my father, believing that silence would alleviate the pain. However, as time passed, the pain seemed to grow stronger, and I couldn¡¯t continue to hold it back any longer.


    ¡°I understand, my dear, I understand,¡± she whispered, attempting to soothe me, but my cries only grew louder. Pain, anger, frustration, and annoyance flooded my being as if the universe itself were conspiring to torture me.


    ¡°Why does everything have to be so cruel, Mam¨¤? Why are we treated this way?¡± I choked out between hysterical sobs, finally letting go of the act that had burdened me for an entire week.


    She didn¡¯t offer a verbal response; instead, she held me tighter, her embrace providingfort while her gentle strokes caressed my messy hair.


    ¡°What have I ever done to Vienna? I dutifully obey her everymand, I endure her dreadful pranks with a smile, and I clean up after her messes. How can she be so heartless?¡± I spoke incoherently, my frustration pouring out through my words.


    ¡°You know Vienna, my love, she was spoiled and misguided while growing up,¡± she tried tofort me.


    ¡°She derives pleasure from making my life a living hell,¡± Imented.


    ¡°She can be quite unbearable, I admit, but you must hang on there, for I know you possess strength,¡± she whispered, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear.


    ¡°I can¡¯t bear it any longer,¡± I confessed, my voice trembling with despair.


    ¡°You can, my darling, you must. It is just the two of us now,¡± a tear cascaded down her cheek as she attempted to perk up my spirits. I understood that the loss of my father shattered my mother herself, yet witnessing my anguish, she yearned to be strong for both of us.


    That night, we foundfort in each other¡¯s arms, tears streaming down our faces as we questioned the universe for its cruelty, gazing up at the stars, yearning for them to reflect the sparkling essence that once stayed in my father¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°What really happened on that night, Mam¨¤?¡± I abruptly interjected, our gazes fixed on the vast expanse of the night sky through the window. I could feel the tension coursing through her body the moment I posed that question. Her once-tight embrace now loosened, and I turned to face her, seeking answers.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°What happened? I deserve to know,¡± I begged her, searching her eyes for a glimpse of truth. She turned away from me, her back now turned in my direction.


    ¡°Is it my fault?¡± I choked on the words, the weight of self-me evident in my trembling voice. Her widened eyes met mine in disbelief.


    ¡°No, no, how could you ever think that?¡± she forcefully shook her head, her voice tinged with a mixture of concern and reassurance.


    ¡°Then why won¡¯t you tell me?¡± I demanded, frustration seeping into my tone.


    ¡°There are certain things that you don¡¯t need to know, my dear, for your own good,¡± she dered with an air of finality before lying down on her bed. I watched her back intently as she feigned sleep, the unanswered questions lingering heavily in the air.


    What actually urred on that fateful night that caused my father¡¯s life?

 Chapter 13: Lingered Thoughts

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I slumbered deeply that night, utterly drained from my constant weeping. It appeared that my mother had no intention of granting me any answers, and thus, I decided to seek the truth on my own. The task ahead would undoubtedly prove difficult, but the burden of not knowing the truth is far more overwhelming than any hardships thaty ahead.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    When I poured the juice into Monsieur Remus¡¯ goblet, I made sure to bite my tongue. Currently we are now in the dining room, attending to their morning breakfast. I kept my gaze lowered, purposely avoiding any nces in his direction, for each glimpse only served as a chilling reminder of his dense cruelty.


    ¡°Lord Lucian Red will pay us with his precious time tomorrow to visit you, Vienna, and I expect you to present yourself in the most impable manner,¡± Monsieur Remus dered, his eyes fixed on Vienna.


    Curiosity burning in her, Vienna inquired to her father, ¡°What?! Father, please tell me the purpose of his visit.¡±


    ¡°We have business matters to discuss,¡± he replied, his tone concise.


    ¡°What sort of business?¡± she pressed further.


    ¡°That, my dear, is not something you need to worry about. Just follow my instructions,¡± Vienna swallowed hard, herpliance evident as she nced at her father.


    ¡°Yes, Father,¡± she acquiesced, nodding as though a docile young woman. A smile crept across Monsieur Remus¡¯ face at her response.


    ¡°That¡¯s my girl,¡± he chuckled, ruffling her hair before making his exit from the dining room. Uninterrupted by others, Vienna indulged in her meal in serene seclusion, her head gently lowered. I couldn¡¯t resist feeling a small pang of sympathy for her difficult situation. Monsieur¡¯s continuous control and maniption over Vienna could exin her ill behavior, as she alwaysplied with whatever he told her.


    Yet, the mysterious allure of Lucian Red remained a subject of intrigue.


    I often caught whispers mentioning his name, whether from the servants¡¯ murmurs or the elegantdies of society. Even the most powerful lords spoke his name with a mix of caution and admiration, recognizing the influence and mystery that shrouded him. The world appeared spellbound by this mysterious man. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what it was about him that ignited such deep fascination. How perfect and wless could he really be?


    ¡°You foolish girl, get my bath ready,¡± Viennamanded haughtily, engrossed in hervish meal. Without a word, I nodded in agreement and went upstairs to her room.


    Just as I arrived at the entrance of Vienna¡¯s room, amotion came from Monsieur¡¯s study. The door was slightly open, letting the noises from inside seep into the hallway, audible to anyone passing by.


    Fueled by curiosity, I approached with cautious steps, measuring each footfall, eager to uncover the source and reason for themotion.


    ¡°I¡¯ve done everything for you, isn¡¯t that enough?! How vile of you to continue tormenting me until now?¡± The words that reached my ears were filled with a strong mix of anger and frustration.


    ¡°You have merely carried out my orders, and you barely showed affection to me!¡± Monsieur¡¯s voice echoed through the air, filled with intensity as if engaged in a fierce argument.


    My body tightened instinctively as I recognized the second voice. It was my mother¡¯s voice. Why was she engaged in an argument with the Alpha?


    As I moved a step closer, hoping to gather more information, the study door suddenly swung open, forcing my mother out. Her face was gloomy, obviously, she was enraged.


    Both of us were startled by our unexpected encounter. Her eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and trepidation. Before I could utter a word, she seized my arm and thrust me towards the nearby storage room, hidden from prying eyes and ears.


    ¡°What on earth were you thinking?! Why are you here?¡± she demanded the moment we were alone inside the storeroom. Anger and fear appeared across her face, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her hands trembling slightly. Witnessing my usuallyposed and refined mother in such a state filled me with concern.


    ¡°Well, I heard noises, so I decided to check¡­.¡±


    ¡°Listen to me,¡± she interjected, firmly gripping my shoulders.


    ¡°From this moment forward, you must mind your own affairs and refrain from meddling in matters that do not concern you. Do you understand, Cercei?¡± she dered before abruptly departing, leaving me standing there confused.


    What had just happened? What did she mean by iming she had done everything for him? Countless questions swirled through my mind, guing me throughout the day.


    Luckily, Vienna was busy preparing for the salon to enhance her appearance and organising things for Lucian Red¡¯s visit, which left her with no time to bother me. Today, I experienced a break from her persistent cruelty.


    At the moment, I find myself sitting on the grand apple tree situated at the rear of the mansion, apanied by Maria. We have both seized this fortunate moment to indulge in a well-deserved break. While Maria skillfully sliced into an apple, I found myself immersed in a vast expanse of thoughts.


    ¡°Earth to Cercei,¡± she yfully waved her hand before my face, rousing me from my reverie. Unaware of how far my mind had wandered, I blinked in surprise.


    ¡°What?¡± I replied, my voice betraying my distraction.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been listening to a word I¡¯ve said. I¡¯ve been chattering away,¡± she remarked, popping a slice of apple into her mouth.


    ¡°My apologies,¡± I replied sheepishly.


    ¡°What thoughts have upied your mind sopletely that they¡¯ve carried you away?¡± she asked, a yful glint in her eyes apanying herughter.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. So, what were you discussing? Care to repeat them?¡± I deftly shifted the topic, sessfully diverting Maria¡¯s attention. She quickly began to vent about rizze¡¯s ill behavior, a servant girl whom she clearly disliked.


    ¡°She had the audacity to inform Madam Cec¨¨ that I was sleeping when, in truth, I was merely resting my eyes. That snitch! And to add insult to injury, it was her fault in the first ce that I needed to rest my eyes. I stayed up all night fulfilling her duties because she imed to be sick, although I know she was lying,¡± Maria continued venting her frustrations. I attempted to lend an ear to her grievances, but my mind remained fixated on the earlier events in Monsieur¡¯s study. My mother appeared deeply distressed.


    ¡°Uh, hello?¡± Maria called out to draw my attention once more.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. What¡¯s really bothering you?¡± She set down the apple and knife, leaning closer to me. Her gaze bore into mine, waiting for my response.


    I sighed, recognizing that she wouldn¡¯t stop until I shared my thoughts with her.


    ¡°This morning, unintentionally, I overheard my mother, and Monsieur engaged in a heated argument in the study. She expressed her efforts in doing everything for him, yet feeling unappreciated. I must confess, I am struggling to grasp the true meaning of it,¡± I admitted, struggling to fully understand the puzzling situation I overheard. It seemed to defy all logical exnations.


    ¡°Perhaps Monsieur was simply scolding her. You know how your mother has been struggling since the incident of your father¡¯s untimely death,¡± Maria attempted tofort me.


    ¡°But she appeared frightened and deeply shaken. She became angry with me, which ispletely out of character,¡± I countered immediately, looking directly into her eyes.


    ¡°Maybe she didn¡¯t want you to witness her being scolded,¡± Maria suggested.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s more than that. I can sense that she¡¯s keeping something significant from me. I can feel it,¡± I insisted, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation to her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, Cercei. Perhaps it didn¡¯t hold any real significance. Remember, your mother is still healing from everything that has happened. Give her time,¡± Maria sighed, attempting to calm my worry. Maybe Maria was correct. It¡¯s possible that I had exaggerated the situation, allowing my imagination to run wild.


    Despite repeating these assurances to myself, a lingering part of me couldn¡¯t let go of what I had overheard. The weight of it persisted in my thoughts, refusing to be easily dismissed.


    That night, I went to bed without exchanging a single word with my mother. A heavy silence surrounded her, widening the gap between us. She seemed deliberately distant as if shielding herself from my questions. I chose not to push for answers, realising that recent events had undoubtedly affected her deeply, and she was still grappling with the profound grief of my father¡¯s passing.


    What secrets could be unfolding in my mother¡¯s life? The uncertainty gnawed at me, leaving a persistent desire for rity and discernment.

 Chapter 14: She Raised Her Fucking Hand At Me, Dad

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Today marked the arrival of the respected Lucian Red at the magnificent MoonStone mansion. The atmosphere buzzed with activity as the diligent servants worked tirelessly to polish every corner, their hushed conversations filled with admiration for the breathtakingly handsome Alpha of the renowned Blood Moon Pack.


    At the same time, I was engrossed in arranging many flowers into numerous vases. I let out a deep breath as I looked at the empty vases still needing to be filled. When I stared at my hands, which were marked with several cuts and blisters from rose thorns, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from flinching. Despite the difort, I carried on without being bothered, thankful that Maria hadn¡¯t been given the duty of arranging flowers due to her severe allergies, which would have made the task very difficult for her.


    ¡°Moved quickly, everyone! Lord Lucian will bless us with his presence in just an hour,¡± urged Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨, her demeanour reflecting both the weight of responsibility and her eagerness to fulfil Monsieur¡¯s explicit instructions of extending a heartfelt wee to the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.


    ¡°Only in an hour?¡± one of the young servant girls eximed, her excitement was obvious and infectious as the others giggled with anticipation.


    Not affected by their cheerful conversation and apparent eagerness, I continued with my duties. Still, I found myself intrigued by this mysterious man who was held in such excellent affection, almost like a respected god. The way in which people spoke about him with deep admiration conveyed the idea that his presence held immense significance.


    Even Monsieur Remus himself desired to gain his favour by inviting him here. How exceptionally perfect must Lucian Red be?


    Unintentionally pricking myself on the thorn of a rose, a sharp cry escaped my lips. I observed as a single droplet of crimson blood trickled down my finger, the wound appearing more deep than I had initially anticipated. Swiftly, I tore a piece of cloth from my neat white apron, a mandatory uniform for all servants, and created a makeshift bandage. I quickly applied pressure to stop the bleeding.


    ¡°Cercei, Miss Vienna needs you in her room,¡± Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨ called to me while I was tending to my injured finger.


    Freed from my flower-arranging tasks by another servant, I climbed the impressive staircase to respond to Vienna¡¯s call. I gently knocked on her door twice and waited for her to give me permission toe in.


    Inside, Vienna sat poised at her elegant vanity mirror, meticulously tending to her gorgeous hair.


    ¡°Miss Vienna, you requested my presence?¡± I spoke to her with respect, my tone carrying a touch of deference.


    She turned her gaze towards me, peering at me through the reflection in the mirror. Setting down her brush, she swivelled around to face me fully. Draped in a figure-hugging blue bodycon dress that entuated her curves, her meticulously straightened hair exuded an air of sophistication, and her expertly applied makeup wlessly enhanced her features. She was truly a vision of beauty.


    ¡°Let¡¯s enjoy a game of hide and never seek,¡± she dered, rising from her seat and approaching me with each step resonating in the click of her heels. Her smile appeared vicious as I stared at her.


    ¡°I want you to conceal yourself today, to remain unseen by people, particrly our respected guests. Do you understand?¡± she enquired, her eyes locking with mine. I nodded in affirmation, and she leaned closer, her voice a hushed whisper in my ear.


    ¡°It would be wise for you to disappear into facelessness. I won¡¯t be the one searching for you but mark my words; if I happen toe across you, you¡¯ll regret the consequences,¡± she warned, her voice carrying an unsettling undertone.


    ¡°Yes, Miss,¡± I replied, lowering my head. I had grown ustomed to Vienna¡¯s instructions to hide myself whenever important figures were around in this exquisite mansion.


    Thoughts of my father¡¯s untimely death shed in my mind, making me wonder if I should bring up the topic with Vienna. If I could gather the courage to inquire, maybe she would share the answers that my mother had kept from me.


    ¡°May I ask a question, if I may?¡± I gathered my courage, tapping into my inner strength. If my mother wouldn¡¯t provide me with answers, maybe someone else would give it.


    ¡°What happened on that fateful night?¡± I inquired, my voice filled with a mix of trepidation.


    As the gravity of my question hung in the air, there was a noticeable change in Vienna¡¯s expression. Her formerly intimidating gaze now held a hint of fear, and she quickly turned away, hiding her face from my sight.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t even think about asking me that,¡± she retorted, her voice trembling slightly, yet she attempted to mask her vulnerability with a fa?ade of strength that I noticed.


    ¡°But I deserve to know the truth. I want to understand what happened that night,¡± I persisted, unable to see her reaction as she stubbornly kept her back turned to me.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you direct your questions to your wretched mother?¡± she hissed with venom, each word dripping with disgust and anger.


    My eyebrows knitted together as I heard the demeaning word she used. Anger welled up inside me, driven by the realisation that she could insult me all she wanted, but she couldn¡¯t speak ill against my mother.


    ¡°Do not use suchnguage when talking about my mother,¡± I said through gritted teeth, my jaw clenched tightly.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she whirled around to face me, her expression a blend of indignation and fury, her words failing to match the intensity of her gaze.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°I can use whatever damn word I choose. Your mother is nothing but a conniving seductress who can¡¯t keep her hands to herself,¡± she retorted sharply, her words seething with anger.


    Driven by a sudden impulse, I acted without considering the consequences, and my hand struck Vienna¡¯s cheek with a sharp p. The sound echoed in her room. I took heavy, gasping breaths, my eyes bloodshot as I took in the aftermath of my actions. I stood there, my fist still clenched and trembling, shocked by my own audacity.


    Throughout the years of enduring her bullying and torment, I had never once dared to defy her, let alone raise a hand against her. I, too, was taken aback by my own behaviour, yet an overwhelming anger had consumed me, clouding my thoughts and judgement.


    Vienna let out a scoff, a sound filled with disdain and disbelief. Her fiery gaze was locked onto me as she faced the repercussions of my rebellion. Her hands twisted into unnatural shapes, resembling grotesque ws, and her eyes turned a menacing shade of yellow. Her whole presence emanated with intense anger and fury. Instantly, I was thrown to the ground, caught off guard, and startled. Instinctively, my own hands contorted into sharp ws, ready to defend myself.


    Vienna¡¯s assault persisted with unrelenting intensity, her ws cutting through the air like razor-sharp des and her fangs gleaming menacingly. Struggling to protect myself, I summoned all my strength and delivered a powerful kick to her stomach, causing her to crash into the wall and further fueling her rage.


    Growling with intensity, she pounced at me, quickly pinning me down as I fought to protect myself from her razor-sharp ws. Recalling her words, addressing my mother with foulnguage, and hurling insults, stoked a wave of zing anger inside my mind. My eyes took on a crimson hue, a visible sign of my rising fury. Surprisingly, this rage seemed to grant me a growing strength, allowing me to rapidly shift our positions.


    ¡°You do not have the right to speak of my mother in such a manner, you, entitled wretch!!¡± I dered, delivering a powerful punch to Vienna¡¯s face. A surge of shock hit me as I saw blood trickling from her mouth and staining her face. Frozen momentarily by the oue of my actions, I inadvertently provided Vienna with an opening to strike back. She seized the chance, swiftly kicking my vulnerable body, causing me to tumble.


    In that instant, memories of my father¡¯s lifeless body flooded my mind, and I shut my eyes, covering my ears in a desperate attempt to block out the echoes of violence that had stolen him from us. And yet, here I was, unknowingly perpetuating that very same cycle.


    Without my knowledge, Vienna had stood up, towering over me. My eyes widened in rm as her razor-sharp ws inched closer to my face. Instinctively, I lifted my arms in a feeble attempt to shield myself from the impending attack; however, she quickly moved and grabbed my hair.


    ¡°You certainly possess audacity, don¡¯t you?¡± she hissed, gripping my hair tightly, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from my lips. Blood trickled from the scratches on my arms, and a faint sting apanied the wounds on my face, likely inflicted by Vienna¡¯s vicious assault.


    ¡°I am going to end you and your wretched mother!¡± she screamed in a frenzied rage while I screamed in agony.


    However, the piercing sound of Monsieur Remus¡¯manding voice reverberated through the room, shattering the tense atmosphere.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this, Vienna?!¡± he thundered, his presencemanding attention. Vienna¡¯s eyes darted towards her father, still gripping my hair tightly.


    ¡°Release her, Vienna,¡± he ordered, his voice brooking no defiance. Reluctantly, Vienna loosened her hold on my hair, causing me to crumple to the floor, battered and bruised.


    ¡°She raised her fucking hand at me, Dad.¡± She yelled at him.


    Monsieur¡¯s attention quickly turned to me. My mother emerged by his side, shocked at the scene unfolding. Seeing me sprawled on the ground, she hurried towards me.


    ¡°Oh my goodness, Cercei, what happened?¡± Her voice was tinged with fear and panic, her hand shaking as she looked at the crimson stains on my limbs. Her gaze then moved to Vienna¡¯s ws, which were coated with my blood.

 Chapter 15: Pardon My Daughter

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°This ispletely uneptable! We have a guest on the way,¡± Monsieur eximed in a fit of anger.


    ¡°Please, Monsieur, pardon my daughter. She is still grieving, her thoughts are not rational,¡± Mam¨¤ pleaded, sinking to her knees in front of Monsieur. My heart ached, witnessing her beg on my behalf.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, please don¡¯t,¡± I attempted to intervene, but she brushed my hand away.


    ¡°Yeah, go ahead and beg, you bloody fool,¡± Vienna sneered.


    I rose to confront her once again, but my mother restrained me. I struggled to break free from Mam¨¤¡¯s grasp.


    ¡°Vienna!¡± Monsieur¡¯s voice grew even more furious.


    ¡°What?! Am I mistaken, Father?!¡± Vienna shouted, her eyes brimming with intense anger as she stared at him.


    ¡°I overheard you that night, I witnessed it. How could you do that to Mum, to me?!¡± Her eyes welled up with tears as she pointed at herself. Monsieur could only gaze at her with bloodshot eyes.


    ¡°And you, you desperate home-wrecking harlot¡­¡± She advanced towards my mother and struck her, but before her hand could make contact with my mother¡¯s face, Monsieur intervened, halting her. Vienna stared at her father in disbelief.


    ¡°Enough, Vienna!¡± Monsieur thundered as he grasped his daughter¡¯s arm. Vienna wrested her arm from his grip, shaking her head while ring at her father, feeling offended and wounded.


    ¡°Both of you, leave this room at once,¡±manded Monsieur, and my mother immediately guided me out of the room.


    ¡°We have a guest arriving, and you¡¯re causing a scene!¡± I heard Monsieur¡¯s voice as we retreated.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t initiate it!¡± Vienna yelled back.


    My mother tugged on my arm more forcefully when noticing my lingering gaze towards Vienna¡¯s room.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go now, Cercei,¡± she forcefully dragged me.


    We made our way back to the cabin. I settled onto the bed while she rummaged through the cupboard, searching for the emergency kit. I nced at my arm, the cut wasn¡¯t excessively deep, but it spanned a significant area, which exined the excessive bleeding.


    My mother retrieved a chair and positioned herself in front of me. In silence, she tenderly tended to my wound, pouring alcohol onto the cotton pad and gently dabbing it against the wound.


    I winced in pain, yet she carried on as if unaffected by my difort.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mam¨¤,¡± I finally broke the silence.


    ¡°What on earth were you thinking?!¡± She erupted, her anger unleashed.


    ¡°I know, I shouldn¡¯t have acted that way. I allowed myself to be carried away.¡±


    ¡°But you did! You¡¯re familiar with Vienna¡¯s provocative behavior, why didn¡¯t you simply brush it off as you always do?¡±


    ¡°She called you a slut!¡± I sobbed, causing her to pause. She set the cotton aside.


    ¡°She called you a slut,¡± I repeated, tears streaming down my face like a river.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± she cupped my face and wiped away my tears. Her own eyes welled up with moisture.


    ¡°I asked her about that night,¡± fear flickered in her eyes.


    ¡°What did she say?¡± Her voice quivered with nervousness.


    I swallowed hard, reluctant to repeat Vienna¡¯s horrendous words to her.


    ¡°She confessed certain things about you,¡± I gazed into her eyes, so simr to mine, yet harbouring a multitude of secrets.


    ¡°And Monsieur,¡± I could sense the weight of my revtion as she drew in a deep breath. She withdrew her hand from my face and returned to attend to my wounds.


    ¡°Vienna doesn¡¯t understand the whole thing; disregard what she ever told you,¡± she stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°Everything? So there¡¯s more?¡± I scoffed in disbelief.


    ¡°Cercei, what did I tell you?¡±


    ¡°But I am your daughter, Mam¨¤! When Ie home and find my father lying on the floor like that, of course, I would seek answers!¡± I erupted, wrenching my arm free from her grasp and standing up.


    ¡°No one seemed willing to provide me with any answers, so I turned to her. I know it¡¯s desperate, but so am I,¡± I pressed on while she remained seated, head bowed, tears streaming down her face. I felt a pang of guilt for raising my voice at my mother, never before had I done so. But the weight of these secrets was bing unbearable.


    ¡°Is it true?¡± I demanded an answer from her, locking eyes with her as she pleaded silently for me to stop asking her.


    ¡°Cercei, please, I¡­¡± she began, her voice choking with emotion.


    ¡°Is it true?!¡± I shouted, my anger erupting into a piercing scream.


    She wept harder, unable to provide me with an answer. Frustration consumed me, and I grabbed my hair in despair.


    ¡°Answer me, Mam¨¤!¡± I bellowed, my fury reverberating through the air.


    She started to breathe rapidly, struggling to catch her breath. Clutching her chest, she gasped for air. Fear gripped me as I witnessed herplexion grow paler before my eyes. Panic seized me, and I rushed to her side, my heart pounding with terror.


    ¡°W-Water,¡± she gasped.


    I swiftly fetched some water and handed it to her. Assisting her in taking sips, I quickly created a makeshift fan using a scrap of paper to provide her with additional air. Tears streamed down my face as I watched her struggle.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mam¨¤,¡± I whispered, overwhelmed with remorse. I embraced her tightly, burying my face in her shoulders, pleading for forgiveness. She gently stroked my head, attempting to soothe me.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Hush,¡± she murmured weakly, and I cried even harder.


    ¡°I want you to make me a promise,¡± I looked into her eyes.


    ¡°Do not inquire any further about your father¡¯s death,¡± she pleaded. I remained silent.


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°Promise me!¡± she interrupted, leaving me no choice. Reluctantly, I nodded.


    A faint smile flocked her weary face.


    ¡°You deserve the truth more than anyone,¡± she whispered, her hand tenderly caressing my face. I closed my eyes, savouring the touch.


    ¡°But I am doing all of this for you, always remember that. Everything I do, I do it for your sake,¡± she whispered, gently kissing my forehead.


    I ce my best trust in my mother more than anyone else in this world. Despite our difficult state in this wretched ce, she ensured that something good remained in my heart. She taught me to find the glimmer of light during the darkest depths, to find beauty in all things, and to always choose goodness.


    A part of me will forever carry an emptiness, a void left by my father¡¯s untimely death. He was the one who instilled toughness and strength inside my heart. However, I can¡¯t continue digging out into the truth, for in doing that, I am trampling on others. I crossed a line earlier with Vienna, causing harm to my own mother.


    The truth is meant to set us free, not to shatter us. If this is what my mother desires, then so be it. I have already lost my Pap¨¤, and I can¡¯t bear to lose her too. Vienna¡¯s words gnaw at me, stirring a deep need for answers. Yet, I made a promise to my mother, and I trust her above all. I believe she has her reasons, a purpose behind all of this. All I can do is hope that whatever she is protecting is worth it.


    For now, my primary concern must be the consequences I will face. I have harmed Vienna, Monsieur Remus¡¯ heir and the future Alpha of our pack. This will not be taken lightly. I can only pray that I will be the only recipient of their punishment.

 Chapter 16: Business Proposal

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Frank called out, breaking me from my reverie as I stood there, lost in the enchanting aroma that surrounded me.


    Startled, I blinked behind the protective shield of my shades and turned towards Frank, his concerned expression mirrored in the rearview mirror.


    ¡°Do you really think she¡¯s here, Sire?¡± he asked, his voiceced with doubt yet a glimmer of hope.


    I sighed, my uncertainty noticeable. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted, my voice heavy with longing. The grand gates swung open majestically as we arrived, adorned with the elegant inscription of ¡°MoonStone.¡±


    This mansion, I pondered, was a vast expanse of luxury. Even as we crossed the threshold, the mansion itself remained elusive, its magnificence shrouded by the expanse of the estate. I peered through the window, gazing at the vast garden adorned with a sea of pristine white roses-their emblem.


    ¡°Here we are,¡± Frank announced, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.


    As I emerged from the car, I held my breath, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily upon me. My heart thudded against my chest, threatening to burst through my ribs. Each inhtion carried with it a surge of nerves mingled with the desperate hope that her essence permeated this ce.


    Summoning every ounce of courage that remained within me, I inhaled deeply. The very air seemed to vibrate with her presence as her intoxicating scent permeated my senses. I could feel the pulsation of my veins coursing through my body, tinged with a subtle hint of redness that threatened to betray my inner turmoil. Thankfully, the shield of my shades concealed my vulnerable state.


    Taking yet another breath, I allowed her aroma to consume every fibre of my being. It was a tantalising potion that both soothed and inmed my restless soul.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Sire,¡± Frank¡¯s voice broke the spell, jolting me back to reality. Apparently, I had lingered a tad too long, lost in the captivating allure of her fragrance.


    I blinked once, my gaze shifting from behind the protection of my shades. With aposed air, I removed them, revealing eyes that had regained their usual hue. A line of servants stood in an orderly fashion on the front stairs, bowing respectfully as they awaited our arrival.


    A woman of distinguished age, appearing to be in her mid-fifties, approached us with a graceful bow. ¡°My Lord,¡± she addressed me, her voiceced with deference.


    ¡°Monsieur Remus awaits your presence inside,¡± she informed us, taking the lead to guide us through the grand entrance of the mansion.


    As we traversed the corridors, I took a moment to survey my surroundings. On my previous visit, I had been too preupied to truly appreciate the nuances of the French architecture that adorned this estate. Back then, my mind had been consumed by other matters, and the presence of numerous individuals had distracted me from appreciating the finer details.


    Entering the luxurymon room, my eyes locked on Lord Remus, who rose to his feet upon catching sight of me. Standing beside him was a woman dressed up in a resplendent blue dress. I studied her intently, a sense of familiarity washing over me, especially when ites to her beautiful flowing hair, which is a rich shade of honey-brown.


    Is it possible that she is the same woman I encountered deep inside the cave? I remember her hair had a captivating wavy texture, but now it flows straight as if it has been magically transformed. I noted that her eyes were not the same emerald green shade I recalled but mirrored the hue of her luscious locks-rich, deep brown. Maybe she chose to wear contact lenses. As I took a deep breath, my senses became more acute, and I noticed a slightly stronger hint of her enchanting fragrance.


    ¡°My Lord Lucian,¡± Lord Remus greeted me with genuine warmth, bowing respectfully.


    ¡°Lord Remus,¡± I reciprocated, offering a polite nod in acknowledgment. His countenance brightened, extending his hand in a gesture of amicability, which I readily epted.


    ¡°And this,¡± Lord Remus continued, a touch of pride gracing his voice, ¡°is my daughter and heir, Vienna Crescent.¡±


    ¡°My Lord,¡± she gracefully bowed, her actions emanating a profound sense of respect and elegance.


    ¡°Mydy,¡± I replied, gently sping her hand in mine and bestowing a respectful kiss upon it. A surge of emotions cascaded through me, intensified by the heightened scent emanating from her hand. I studied her intently, a flicker of uncertainty ying in my eyes. Could she truly be the one I encountered in the depths of that mystical cave?


    ¡°The pleasure is mine,¡± she responded, her voiceced with warmth and a hint of intrigue.


    A smile danced upon my lips, tinged with a glimmer of hope. Could it be possible? Is she the mate destined for me, the one who bears an uncanny resemnce to the mysterious woman from the cave? The unique features she possesses set her apart from anyone else in this ce, leaving me with a growing conviction that she may indeed hold the key to my heart.


    Lord Remus interrupted, capturing our attention. ¡°Shall we move to my office?¡± he proposed, leading us towards the stairs that led to his private room.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I responded, following his lead as anticipation coursed through my veins, heightening my senses. Each step brought me closer to the ce suffused with the unmistakable aroma of my potential mate, awakening every fibre of my being.


    Frank, ever dutiful, stationed himself outside the office door while we entered the room. It exuded an air of sophistication, adorned in a palette of cks, whites, and greys, its expansive windows offering a breathtaking view of the sprawling garden beyond.


    Lord Remus kindly poured me a ss of bourbon, a gesture of hospitality that I gratefully epted. Taking a sip, I savoured theforting warmth of the liquid as it flowed through me, providing a momentary relief from the mounting tension.


    ¡°I must admit, I was quite taken aback when my secretary informed me of your business proposal,¡± Lord Remus began, a touch of curiosity in his voice.


    I took another sip, masking my true motives beneath a fa?ade of professional interest.


    ¡°Why the astonishment, My Lord? Your reputablepany holds a prominent position as one of the foremost and most prosperous in the western region,¡± I replied smoothly, pretending to be genuinely intrigued. His heartyughter resonated throughout the room, carrying a feeling of camaraderie.


    ¡°You tter me, Lord Lucian,¡± he responded with a trace of genuine humility in his voice.


    I chuckled lightly, my gaze drawn towards the ss wall that provided a panoramic view of the enchanting garden below. Observing the diligent work of the servants, I allowed a moment of serenity to envelop me.


    ¡°May I be frank with you, Lord Remus?¡± I inquired, taking another sip of the bourbon, my attention focused on the sprawlingndscape.


    ¡°Please, do not hesitate,¡± he replied, his tone inviting candour.


    I turned to face him, my expression was more serious. ¡°I havee here in search of my mate,¡± I revealed, a touch of vulnerability seeping into my words.


    ¡°I am aware,¡± he acknowledged, maintaining a steady gaze on me.


    ¡°Thest time I graced this estate, I caught a scent-a scent that was hauntingly familiar, unlike anything I had ever encountered before. It called to me, coursing through my very being, awakening a profound yearning,¡± I continued, my voice tinged with a mixture of intensity and longing.


    Lord Remus chuckled softly, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. ¡°Ah, I have been in your shoes, Lord Lucian. It is indeed a tumultuous and captivating journey,¡± he shared, hisughter revealing a hint of his own past experiences.


    ¡°I can feel it, the scent resonates within these walls. My mate is here,¡± I responded with a sense of certainty, my tone conveying the weight of my conviction.


    Lord Remus¡¯s smile remained steadfast as he approached me, cing a reassuring hand upon my shoulder.


    ¡°Well, let me assure you, there is no one within these premises who is closer or more deserving of being your mate than my own daughter. Together, our packs will be an unstoppable force,¡± he dered, his eyes shimmering with unwavering determination and ambition.


    A curious realisation dawned upon me as I observed Lord Remus¡¯s daughter from a distance. The sight of her did not ignite the expected shivers down my spine as it had with my true mate. Perhaps my initial intuition had been correct-I was not destined for love, at least not in the conventional sense.


    My purpose in this union was clear-to maintain the delicate bnce between my pack and Lord Remus¡¯s, to ensure the continuation of our bloodlines, and to consummate whatever connection we had. It was a duty to be fulfilled, a means to an end. Nothing more, nothing less.


    Lord Remus¡¯s pack,bined with the power and influence of his renownedpany, would serve me well. His empire stood as one of thergest and most sessful in the western region, while his pack possessed formidable strength in numbers. Together, we would indeed be an unstoppable force.


    ¡°There is no need to rush, My Lord,¡± I remarked, cing my ss down on the surface. The weight of the decision loomed, and I needed time to reconcile my emotions and intentions.


    ¡°Of course we do,¡± Lord Remus retorted firmly, his tone carrying an undercurrent of expectation. ¡°Your time hase to mate, and you are well aware of the consequences that befall an Alpha who does not.¡±


    ¡°I am not one for traditional marriage,¡± I responded, my voice devoid of any sentiment.


    He took a swig of his drink, nodding in understanding. ¡°Nor am I a man inclined towards the institution of marriage,¡± he admitted, the liquid disappearing down his throat in one smooth motion.


    ¡°You and I both know that our duty lies in fulfilling our responsibilities together. Beyond that, we have the freedom to lead our lives as we choose,¡± he added, his words causing my brows to furrow. Would he truly allow me the freedom to interact with his daughter as I deemed appropriate?


    ¡°I must admit, I presumed you would desire a man who would love and cherish your daughter,¡± I expressed, a hint of confusioncing my words.


    Lord Remus chuckled, a hint of cynicism evident in hisughter. ¡°Life is not a fairytale,¡± he responded to the mirth in his voice echoing my own sentiments. We shared knowingughter, acknowledging the reality of our circumstances.


    ¡°Well then, I suppose we will get along just fine,¡± I replied, a touch of amusement tugging at the corners of my lips. We sealed our understanding with a firm handshake as he poured us another round of drinks, symbolising the beginning of a partnership that transcended mere emotions.

 Chapter 17: Vienna鈥檚 Trick

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°You are as dashing as they say,¡± Vienna yfully tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, her hazel eyes gleaming under the sun¡¯s rays.


    We strolled through the grand mansion, and although I attempted to smile, I couldn¡¯t shake off the perplexity that clouded my thoughts. Was she truly my destined mate? The aroma of her presence indicated so, yet something felt amiss.


    ¡°You tter me, mydy,¡± I uttered, and she giggled, herughter betraying the shyness I had expected. She appeared fearful in the cave where we first met, but now she exuded unwavering confidence.


    ¡°Your garden is truly splendid,¡± I remarked, admiring the lush surroundings. Vienna¡¯s smile widened, her eyes still sparkling with their natural hue, affirming that they were not enhanced by artificial means. Though I recalled them to be green on that fateful night, perhaps my perception had yed tricks on me.


    ¡°Right there stands my grandfather,¡± she pointed towards the statue positioned at the heart of the water fountain.


    ¡°He led the victorious war between the west and the east fifty years ago,¡± She gracefully added.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I observed the statue, recognizing it as the likeness of Gregor Crescent, the esteemed patriarch Alpha of the MoonStone pack. Naturally, I was well-versed in the history of all packs across the world, including their formidable leaders.


    ¡°Lord Gregor was a man of remarkable courage.¡±


    ¡°As are you,¡± she paused and gazed intently at me.


    ¡°You possess a silver tongue, Lady Vienna.¡± I remarked casually.


    She responded with an exaggeratedugh, yfully resting her hands on my chest.


    ¡°Do you want a sample?¡± she purred in a seductive manner. It wasn¡¯t umon for women to behave this way in my presence. Usually, I would y along, indulging in their interests. However, at this moment, my desires ran deeper than any fleeting pleasure they could offer. All I craved was my true mate, and doubts still lingered regarding her identity.


    I gently sped her hand resting on my chest. ¡°It appears you possess a yful nature as well,¡± I remarked with a smile.


    ¡°Believe me, the game has only just begun,¡± she chuckled mischievously.


    ¡°Shall we continue the tour?¡± I suggested, taking a step forward, leaving her slightly behind.


    ¡°It seems you¡¯re not the yboy the legends make you out to be,¡± she yfully remarked.


    ¡°yboy?¡± I questioned, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°You know, a heartbreaker, a Casanova, a womaniser,¡± she borated.


    ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Iughed. ¡°Well, that certainly stings.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind if you were the one to break my heart,¡± she teased, her wordsced with flirtatious intent.


    ¡°I do not make a habit of breaking hearts, mydy,¡± I responded firmly.


    ¡°Really?¡± she snorted dismissively.


    ¡°A heart can only shatter when one holds onto hope, and I do not provide false hope. They create it for themselves,¡± I stated unyieldingly. Her lips curled into a smile as if my words had thrown down a challenge.


    ¡°Merciless, huh? I find that rather intriguing,¡± she provocatively nibbled on her lower lip.


    We continued our tour of the expansive garden, her relentless attempts to seduce me bing increasingly desperate. I despised such overt disys of desperation in women. However, my expectations of my destined mate were far different. She had been better, more captivating, on that night we first met. What in the world had changed?


    I had spent a lifetime surrounded by women like her. I had never yearned for romance, but a part of me had hoped she would be different, set apart from all the others I had encountered.


    ¡°How was the tour?¡± inquired Lord Remus as we sat down for dinner. Vienna and I had spent the entire afternoon exploring their magnificent garden. Of course, we had only begun to explore, considering the extensive size of their estate. It would take several days to fully explore the vast hectares it epassed.


    ¡°It was delightful, Vienna proved to be an exceptional guide,¡± I replied.


    Lord Remus erupted into joyousughter at myment, and Vienna¡¯s smile blossomed.


    ¡°I am pleased to have kept you entertained, My Lord,¡± she responded gracefully.


    ¡°I can see that you two are getting along well,¡± Lord Remusmented, observing our interaction.


    ¡°Lord Lucian and I have instantly connected, Father,¡± Vienna beamed at me. I took a sip of wine and forced a polite smile.


    ¡°I have already instructed the servants to prepare your room and amodation for your butler,¡± Lord Remus informed me.


    ¡°Thank you for your generous hospitality, Lord Remus,¡± I expressed my gratitude.


    ¡°Let¡¯s dispense with formalities, shall we? You may call me Remus,¡± he chuckled warmly.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be staying with us?¡± Vienna¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight.


    ¡°Yes, my dear. We have much business to discuss,¡± Remus stated, casting a meaningful nce in my direction as he emphasised the word ¡°business.¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow, we shall resume our tour then,¡± Vienna proposed.


    ¡°That sounds great,¡± I responded, keeping up appearances.


    Following dinner, I was escorted to my assigned room. Despite the day¡¯s activities, fatigue eluded me. I unbuttoned my shirt and made my way to the shower, contemting the peculiar turn of events.


    I ran my fingers through my damp hair as the cold water poured over me, leaning against the shower wall. What on earth was wrong with me? Why couldn¡¯t I feel anything towards her despite her alluring facade?


    After finishing my shower, I dressed and made my way to the balcony of my room. It boasted a breathtaking view, but my mind was too clouded with confusion to appreciate it fully. Lost in a sea of my own thoughts, I wrestled with the perplexing situation at hand.


    A knock on the door disrupted my contemtion as I stood there, consumed by my internal turmoil. Opening it, I found Vienna standing before me, d in a seductive red lingerie dress, a bottle of wine in her hand. A smile adorned her face as her eyes met mine.


    ¡°I thought you might like a taste of my special reserved wine,¡± she teased, waving the bottle enticingly.


    ¡°Uh, sure,¡± I responded, somewhat taken aback.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± she purred and stepped into my room. I let out a weary sigh as I closed the door behind her. She ced the bottle on the night table.


    I sat down on the bed while she poured the wine, her dress revealing a hint of her exposed chest as she leaned forward.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± she handed me a ss.


    ¡°Cheers,¡± she winked yfully.


    I took a sip, then finished the entire ss. ¡°It¡¯s good,¡± Imented, my responsecking genuine enthusiasm.


    ¡°Quite good, indeed,¡± she murmured, leaning in closer to me, her body positioned provocatively, her chest boldly exposed. She gently held my face in her hands, her touch sending waves of heat through my body.


    ¡°Do you know what else is good?¡± she whispered seductively into my ear. The sound of her voice seemed to hypnotise me, and I felt a surge of warmth coursing through me. My vision blurred slightly as the intensity of the moment grew.


    Her lips descended from my ear to my neck, her hot breath sending shivers down my spine. I felt dizziness wash over me. She straddled me, passionately kissing my neck, stoking the rising mes of desire and a pang of insatiable hunger.


    With hungry fervour, she attacked my lips, and I reciprocated with equal fervency. Our positions shifted as I pushed her gently, my head spinning and my senses overwhelmed. My kisses trailed down her jawline, tracing a path to her neck, eliciting sweet, soft whimpers that echoed in the room.


    Her hands caressed my back, the desire between us escting. Lost in the moment, my eyes closed, and my lips continued their exploration. But then, realisation struck me like a bolt of lightning. I opened my eyes abruptly. Her scent was different,pletely distinct. It wasn¡¯t the scent I had detected earlier-it was something entirely unfamiliar. I am a wolf, my senses heightened, including my sense of smell, and she was not my mate.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I muttered in frustration, running my hands through my hair.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Vienna inquired, reclining on the bed, her exposed form on full disy.


    I didn¡¯t respond. I hastily grabbed my shirt and stormed out of the room. She must have followed me as I left because she kept yelling my name and urging me to slow down, but the intense heat had already rendered me deaf.


    My head was spinning, my body still aze with heat. I wandered aimlessly, my feet guiding me until I found myself beneath the very same tree I had stumbled upon that fateful night.


    My already heightened senses became even more severe, and I noticed the scent intensifying. I took a deep breath and noticed a small cabin not far from the tree. Without pausing to think, I made my way towards it.


    With each step I took, the scent intensified, my sanity waning.

 Chapter 18: I鈥檓 Your Mate

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Ouch,¡± I winced, attempting to change the bandage on my wounds single-handedly. Mam¨¤ had informed me that she would be spending the night inside the grand mansion, burdened with more work due to what had urred. I had been the one meant to be punished, but she pleaded with Monsieur on my behalf.


    I had tried to dissuade her, asserting that I was the one deserving of punishment. Nevertheless, my mother would do anything within her power to shield me from harm.


    Engrossed in the task of changing my bandage, I suddenly detected a familiar fragrance wafting through the air. Closing my eyes, I surrendered myself to the scent.


    The scent from the cave!


    This must be it. My senses sharpened as the aroma grew stronger. I could hear the rustling of the wind and the approaching footsteps. rmed, I stood up abruptly.


    I leapt to my feet as the door swung open forcefully, the sound of the aged, creaking door filling my ears. My entire body froze upon catching sight of the man who entered. Towering, with raven hair and dark features, his presence exuded power. My gaze fixated on his eyes. Crimson.


    The image of the white, red-eyed wolf shed in my mind. Could it truly be him? His gaze was so prating that it sent shivers cascading down my spine. My breath hitched as he took a step closer. Frightened, I instinctively took a step back, clutching at whatever I could find within my grasp.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I brandished a spat, attempting to intimidate him. Undeterred, he continued advancing towards me.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± My voice quivered with fear. As he drew nearer, he gently set the spat down, causing me to drop my makeshift weapon like an apprehensive pup.


    His scent¡­ it was bewitching, as though it were stripping away every trace of reason within me. I was utterly lost.


    He extended his hand, and without a second thought, I found myself epting it. As our skin made contact, a surge of emotions coursed through me. He drew me closer, and I found myself surrendering against his chest.


    We gazed at each other in the dark, ensnared in the depths of our eyes. His face drew nearer to mine, and I closed my eyes instinctively.


    His lips met mine, and it was as though the heavens burst forth with shimmering stardust. The fresh, minty taste of his mouth mingled with the hint of wine. A shiver ran down my spine as the reality of what I was engaged in dawned upon me-a spontaneous connection with a man I had only just met a minute ago. But at that moment, I was utterly lost.


    His hand found its way behind me, gliding up to the small of my back. It was then that I realised he had unzipped my dress. The sensation of my breasts being freed from the constraints of the fabric against my skin sent a jolt of electricity inside me.


    His kisses grew more fervent, pressing against my lips with increasing intensity. My back leaned against the wall as his kisses assaulted my senses. The dizzying effect of his passionate kisses left my head spinning.


    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± he uttered between our fervent exchanges.


    I gasped as he positioned his knee between my thighs, causing my panties to peek out. Why did I even concern myself with such trivialities? The mere fact that his knee rested between my thighs, creating a tantalising friction, was already an intimate connection. Why should I be preupied with the visibility of my undergarments?


    His kisses trailed along my jawline, and I involuntarily arched my back when his lips reached my neck. My arms clung tightly to his shoulders, holding on for dear life.


    I bit my lip, struggling toprehend the bewildering situation unfolding before me.


    I nearly let out a scream as he effortlessly lifted me onto the table, causing a flower vase to topple and crash to the ground. Yet, he seemed entirely unfazed by the disturbance.


    He positioned me in front of the table, his presence now pressed against my back. I could sense his hunger, evident in how his fingers threaded through my hair, gently guiding me towards the table¡¯s surface.


    With a skilled andmanding hand, he cupped my left breast, drawing it to the side, granting him greater ess to my neck. His lips found their way there, leaving a trail of heated kisses in their wake.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I managed to utter, my voice taking on a sultry tone.


    His breath cascaded over my shoulders, and against my lower back, I could feel the unmistakable hardness of his erection. From that sensation alone, I knew he possessed an impressive size.


    ¡°Lucian Red,¡± he responded, his voice carrying a certain enigmatic quality.


    He continued tovish attention on my neck, each kiss threatening to steal away my consciousness. I struggled to keep my eyes open, but my efforts were in vain.


    Indeed, he was as stunning as they imed. His eyes were filled with depth and emotion,plemented by thick, expressive eyebrows. His physique was extraordinary, towering over me with broad shoulders that I could barely reach. A fitted white t-shirt hugged his body in all the right ces, entuating his allure. His hair was tousled and textured, adding to his captivating appeal.


    My mouth went dry as I watched his index finger and thumb yfully tease my nipple. A moan involuntarily escaped my lips, and a wave of heat rushed through me, specifically between my thighs.


    Seemingly aware of my readiness, he pressed me against the cool surface of the table with his hand entwined in my hair. I instinctively bent forward, feeling a hint of exposure, particrly when he pulled my panties down, causing them to drop to my feet.


    A loud moan escaped my lips as I felt his thumb make contact with my core. I was already wet, embarrassingly so, causing a blush to spread across my cheeks. He reced his thumb with his middle finger, pulling me back slightly, all the while resuming his assault on my neck with his lips.


    I moaned unabashedly as his finger movednguidly, traversing my most sensitive areas with torturous sensuality. Gradually, as my moans grew louder and more uninhibited, he pushed his finger inside me.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Lost amidst a symphony of moans and scattered thoughts, I was abruptly interrupted when he suddenly ceased his movements. Opening my eyes to gaze at him, I saw a dark intensity in his expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m your mate,¡± he dered, his words filled with a fervent intent that was difficult toprehend amidst the overwhelming pleasure.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I managed to respond, my mind clouded by ecstasy. He continued to stare at me, his gaze unwavering.


    Once again, his lips ventured across my entire being. A part of me wanted to halt him, as I had never been kissed in such a way before. Yet, this kiss sent shockwaves of indescribable sensation coursing through my body, leaving me gasping for air and weakening my knees.


    His presence enveloped mepletely, our bodies now intimately intertwined. My eyes widened as I felt the heat of his manhood grazing the entrance of my folds, a maddening anticipation building within me. A curse slipped past my lips, a desperate plea for him to enter me.


    Tears welled in the corners of my eyes as I felt my inner walls shatter. It hurt-a searing pain that coursed through me.


    ¡°You¡¯re a virgin,¡± he stated, his words devoid of uncertainty.


    Before I could process the magnitude of his statement, he kissed me once more, this time with an intensity that consumed me. The pain I had experienced earlier transformed into an overwhelming wave of pleasure.


    He slowly began to move within me, his rhythm unhurried, as his lips continued to explore every inch of mine. ¡°Just tell me if it hurts,¡± he whispered gently. With my eyes closed, I nodded in response, fully surrendering myself to the sensations that washed over me.


    As the intensity built within me again, I yearned for him to quicken his pace and propel me towards that pinnacle of pleasure. And it seemed as though he understood my unspoken desires, for he began to move with a swiffer rhythm, granting me the fervent stimtion I craved.


    And then, it happened. We reached that peak together, cascading into a world of ecstasy that left us both spent and disoriented. Overwhelmed by exhaustion and bewilderment, I sumbed to the enveloping darkness, my senses consumed by its embrace.

 Chapter 19: I Slept With Lucian Red?!

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I awoke to an excruciating pain coursing through my entire being, particrly in that delicate part down below. A wince of pain apanied every movement as I struggled to rise. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, to my horror, I soon realised that my dress was peeled off.


    Underneath the nket cover, I found myself stark naked, a realisation that caused my eyes to widen in sheer disbelief. Good heavens!


    The memories of the previous night came rushing back, overwhelming me with a sense of dread. I had yielded to the charms of aplete stranger! Panic gripped me as I frantically searched for my scattered garments strewn across the floor.


    It appeared that my franticmotion had awakened the man. Before I could finish dressing, he opened his eyes, prompting me to clutch the nket tightly, causing him to roll off the bed. The entire cabin seemed to tremble as he made a resounding impact on the worn wooden floor.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Damn!¡± he eximed, his hand tenderly rubbing his side.


    Before he could regain hisposure, I seized the opportunity to flee, sprinting towards the door barefoot and draped in nothing but my nket covering.


    As I made my hasty escape, I attempted to don my clothes whilst in motion, an endeavour that proved to be an ill-fatedbination. I stumbled and fell, emitting a groan as I struck the ground. ncing down, I noticed that my knees were starting to swell. What a splendid day this was turning out to be! Not only had I neglected to tend to my dishevelled hair and unbrushed teeth, but I had also awakened beside a man with whom I had engaged in a most intimate encounter, someone whom I didn¡¯t even know.


    To make matters worse, I had unknowingly left thefort of my own home, my safe haven!


    With a heavy heart and an intense disdain for my own existence, I trudged towards the grand mansion. Stealthily slipping through the rear entrance, I made my way to Maria¡¯s quarters. I simply could not risk being spotted by Vienna; my life was already a living inferno, and I couldn¡¯t bear any further torment.


    ¡°What in the world¡­¡± Maria eximed, still d in her nightgown, as she caught sight of me standing beside her bed.


    ¡°A rabbit is chasing me,¡± I blurted out, immediately regretting my feeble attempt at a lie.


    ¡°A what?¡± she queried, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief. And rightfully so, given the absurdity of my excuse.


    ¡°May I borrow your uniform?¡± I asked, desperately seeking a quick solution to my predicament.


    ¡°Where¡¯s yours?¡± Maria inquired, her scepticism noticeable as she regarded me with a disdainful expression.


    ¡°I¡­ I left it behind,¡± I stammered, feeling a wave of embarrassment engulfing me.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you just retrieve it?¡± she suggested, a trace of disdain in her voice.


    I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of returning there. I silently mouthed my response, my eyes betraying the torment within.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I replied, shaking my head with unwavering determination.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Maria¡¯s eyebrow arched inquisitively, her curiosity getting the best of her.


    ¡°The rabbit mighte after me again,¡± I mumbled, desperately clinging to my improbable excuse.


    ¡°Girl, what on earth is going on with you?¡± Maria eximed, sitting up in her bed, clearly perplexed by my erratic behavior.


    I bit my lip, fully aware that I couldn¡¯t bear to return to that cabin. What if he was still there? I couldn¡¯t bear to face him, to be reminded of the profound shame that had enveloped me.


    I didn¡¯t want toy my eyes on his loathsome countenance.


    ¡°Please, Maria, I¡¯m too exhausted to go back to my own cabin, and I¡¯m already here,¡± I blurted out, the words tumbling out before I could fully process their implications. I knew she must be utterly bewildered by my erratic actions, but to tell the truth, I was equally perplexed.


    ¡°Fine, fine, you can find one in that drawer,¡± she relented, pointing towards a nearby dresser.


    ¡°You¡¯re a true lifesaver,¡± I managed a grateful smile, a sense of relief flooded through me.


    ¡°Yeah, I wouldn¡¯t let my best friend¡¯s life be threatened by a rabbit,¡± she retorted, rolling her eyes at me in her usual yful manner.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a bath,¡± I announced, eager to cleanse both my body and my troubled mind.


    ¡°Perhaps the rabbit mistook you for a carrot. You do resemble one!¡± she called out, her voice echoing down the hallway as I made my way towards themunal bathroom. I simply waved a dismissive hand in response, letting her jester fade into the distance.


    I couldn¡¯t bring myself to confide in her. Although I trusted Maria with my life, some secrets were too burdensome to share. Even if I did reveal the truth, I doubted she would believe me.


    In fact, I could hardly believe it myself. What happenedst night was an act of sheer foolishness. What was I even thinking? I didn¡¯t even know him, aside from the intoxicating scent that enveloped him, driving me to the brink of madness. It was peculiar, especially the way our bodies seemed to fit together, like a perfect puzzle, as if we were meant to be intertwined.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder about his identity and origin. This mansion was heavily guarded, so how did he manage to find his way here? Did he emerge from the depths of the forest?


    I suspect he may be the very same wolf I encountered in the cave that night. I didn¡¯t get a clear look at him then; darkness shrouded his features. And in the morning rush, I only caught a glimpse. But his visage left an impression-a mysterious and brooding face, a sharply defined jawline, and a body that could make even the strongest of knees weak.


    A blush crept upon my cheeks as I recollected the encounter. Oh, how I wished this was merely a dream. s, the soreness between my legs served as a painful reminder that it was all too real. My entire being felt fatigued and achy, and my mind wandered far from the world of reality. My life seemed as fragile as ss, with cracks threatening to shatter it at any moment.


    ¡°This is the third time you¡¯ve yawned today,¡± Maria remarked as we swept the garden. Madame Cece had assigned me this task, keeping me away from the prying eyes of Vienna.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night,¡± I murmured, uncertain if I had even managed to sleep at all.


    ¡°You look¡­¡± Maria paused, her gaze fixed on me, and my heart thudded anxiously, awaiting her next words. Could she sense something amiss? Was it truly that evident?


    ¡°Exhausted! Goodness, what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± she inquired, scrutinising me from head to toe.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± I eximed, relief flooding through me. I discreetly pinched myself, chiding my own foolishness.


    Her brows furrowed in confusion, clearly perplexed by my awkwardughter.


    ¡°I mean¡­¡± I trailed off, struggling to find the right words.


    ¡°Thank you for telling me,¡± I finally managed to say, mustering a grateful smile as I hugged her.


    She stood there, somewhat taken aback, as I clung to her in an embrace that felt increasingly awkward. Without looking into her eyes, I released my hold and made my way to the other side of the garden, leaving her behind.


    Internally chastising myself for my own ipetence, I criticised my inability to handle the situation gracefully. I felt utterly ridiculous and painfully aware of how foolish I appeared. It seemed as if I wore my secrets on my sleeve, broadcasting my inner turmoil to the world. I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that everyone could see right through me.


    As I continued sweeping the garden, that familiar scent once again wafted into my nostrils. It sent an electric surge through my body, causing me to lose my grip on the broom, which ttered to the ground. I instinctively scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the intoxicating aroma. Could it be him?


    ¡°Sire, your mother contacted me this morning,¡± a deep voice resonated in the air.


    In haste, I concealed myself between the leaves as two men strolled past. One of them sported a uniform, his demeanour and speech suggesting he held a position of authority, possibly an assistant or a butler. However, my attention was fixated on the other man. There was something strikingly familiar about his figure.


    ¡°What did she say?¡± the man inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.


    My eyes widened in astonishment as I recognized his voice. It was him-the man fromst night. I could feel it in every fibre of my being. That body, that voice, that intoxicating scent-it was undeniably him!


    ¡°She¡¯s worried about you. She says you haven¡¯t been in touch,¡± the assistant ryed the message.


    I peered through a small gap in the bushes, my heart racing. His hair, the colour of sandalwood, and his eyes, though distant, appeared to be a faint blue, almost grey. Last night, they had burned with a fiery red intensity. I couldn¡¯t help but admit that he looked striking.


    ¡°I should give her a call,¡± he replied, his voice deep and resonant, akin to a melodic symphony that one¡¯s ears yearned to worship.


    They began walking toward the mansion when suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.


    ¡°Wait, that scent¡­¡± he trailed off, hispanion pausing alongside him. I instinctively covered my mouth, trying to stifle any sound. Could he also smell that evasive fragrance?


    ¡°Lucian!¡± I heard Vienna¡¯s voice calling out. Oh, no! She was going to find me!


    Seizing the opportunity, both men were momentarily distracted, allowing me to stealthily crawl out from my hiding ce in the garden. I made my escape before they could discover my presence.


    Lucian? Lucian Red? The distinguished guest?


    I slept with fucking Lucian Red?!

 Chapter 20: Familiar Scent

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°Damn it!¡± I eximed, wincing as I massaged my aching side. Some force yanked the nket away, causing me to tumble out of bed unceremoniously.


    My head throbbed relentlessly, leaving me in a bewildered state. What in the world had urred?


    Slowly, I pried open my bleary eyes, only to find a dishevelled woman hastily darting towards the door, her form barely concealed by a single sheet. A woman with chestnut hair flowing, was it Vienna?


    I rubbed my eyes vigorously, wincing at the sun¡¯s piercing rays that seemed to intensify my pounding headache. As I surveyed my surroundings, a pressing question weighed on my mind. Where on earth was I?


    The sight before me resembled that of an old cabin shrouded in mystery. How had I ended up here? The events ofst night eluded my recollection, save for a searing passion that engulfed my very being, leaving an unforgettable mark on my soul. It was undoubtedly the most memorable night I had ever experienced.


    The details of the previous evening remained obscured, lost in a haze. All I could recall was a passionate encounter with my mate, which gave me unparalleled release and contentment. Despite my throbbing head, I felt inexplicably light, like I had shed a punishing weight. A knot in my throat had dissipated, and the skies above seemed to regain their vibrant shade of blue. Was this the elusive sensation they referred to as satisfaction?


    Her fragrance, the delicate caress of her skin, the sound of her breathless moans-these memories consumed my thoughts relentlessly. Why had she fled? Did shyness ovee her?


    Could it have been Vienna? I vaguely recalled her following behind me as I departed, or at least that was the fleeting remembrance. Had she orchestrated my arrival at this mysterious cabin?


    Collecting my scattered garments from the floor, I dressed hastily and resolved to make my way back to the massive mansion from whence I came.


    As I approached the grand entrance, I noticed Frank, my loyal butler, anxiously awaiting my return on the front porch. His concern was noticeable, propelling him towards me in haste.


    ¡°Frank, try to conceal your relief a tad better,¡± I remarked, noting his expression bordering on sheer gratitude when he saw me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it, Sire,¡± he replied, offering me a robe to don.


    ¡°I assure you, I¡¯m perfectly fine,¡± I assured him dismissively.


    ¡°Where have you been, Sire?¡± Frank inquired as he assisted me with the robe.


    ¡°Indulging in carnal pleasures,¡± I replied nonchntly.


    ¡°In the forest? An intriguing choice,¡± he remarked with a raised eyebrow.


    ¡°What can I say? I have a profound appreciation for nature,¡± I quipped, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of my lips.


    Frank trailed behind me as I made my way to the shelter of my quarters. Seekingfort and recollection, I opted for a revitalising cold shower. Frustration gnawed at me as I desperately tried to piece together the fragments of the previous night. Why was it all so hazy? Even her voice lingered as a vague echo, eluding my grasp.


    Yet, despite the fog that shrouded my memories, one thing remained clear-the overwhelming sensation that had consumed me. The melodic timbre of her voice enveloped my entire being, soothing every fibre of my existence. The touch of her body against mine was an intoxicating symphony of desire.


    Emerging from the shower, I resolved to embark on a jog, hoping to clear my head and delve into contemtion. With thepletion of our mating, a profound sense of tranquillity had settled on me, casting away the dense clouds obscuring my mind in recent days, given the pressing circumstances.


    Maintaining rity in my thoughts was paramount, especially since I had struck a consequential deal with Lord Remus, sealing our alliance.


    ¡°Sire,¡± Frank¡¯s voice interrupted my thoughts as Ipleted my thirdp.


    I halted my running and opted for a brisk walk, epting the bottle of water he offered.


    ¡°Your mother reached out this morning,¡± he informed, keeping pace beside me.


    ¡°What did she have to say?¡± I inquired, aware of my mother¡¯s penchant for fretting unnecessarily.


    ¡°She expressed her concerns, mentioning that you haven¡¯t been in touch,¡± Frank ryed dutifully. Naturally, my mother¡¯s hobby revolved around worry.


    ¡°I should give her a call,¡± I remarked, realising it had been quite some time since Ist spoke with her. The chaos of recent events had left me considerably preupied.


    As we neared the grand mansion, a familiar fragrance invaded my senses, causing me to pause in my tracks. With a deep inhtion, I allowed the scent to saturate my lungs, triggering a vivid recollection of that scorching, passionate night.


    ¡°Lucian!¡± Vienna¡¯s voice suddenly echoed through the air. Ah, that exined the potent aroma. She was here, nearby.


    ¡°I will wait your return inside, Sire,¡± Frank bowed respectfully and departed, leaving me to face Vienna, who was rushing towards me, her countenance filled with concern.


    ¡°Oh my goodness! Where have you been? I was so worried!!¡± she eximed, touching my cheek tenderly.


    ¡°I simply went for a jog,¡± I gestured towards the verdant garden surrounding us.


    ¡°Where did you disappearst night?¡± Her question furrowed my brow, baffling me. What was she implying?


    ¡°Weren¡¯t we togetherst night?¡± I queried, a sense of confusion permeating my words. What was she getting at?


    ¡°We were, but-¡± she started to respond, but her voice trailed off, a fleeting moment of silence hanging between us.


    ¡°We mated at that cabin, did we not?¡± I inquired, staring into her eyes.


    She went silent for a second.


    The memory of our passionate encounter in that rustic cabin couldn¡¯t possibly be a figment of my imagination.


    An apparent bewilderment danced across her features, yet she chuckled and smiled in response to my statement. It seemed that my recollection had brought some rity to her.


    ¡°Oh, yes, of course,¡± sheughed lightly, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile back. Yet, her voice no longer carried the captivating allure that enraptured me on that scorching night. Perhaps it was merely the moment¡¯s intensity that had stirred such sensations.


    ¡°Why did you run away?¡± I inquired, seeking an exnation for her sudden departure.


    ¡°I ran?¡± Vienna¡¯s perplexed response only deepened my confusion.


    How could she not recall her own actions? Could it have been the effects of the wine we consumed? I, too, found my memories of the night fragmented and inessible.


    ¡°Yes, this morning when I¡­ woke up¡­ in the cabin,¡± I exined, trying to jog her memory.


    ¡°Ah, yes!¡± Her voice brightened as if a sudden revtion had dawned on her.


    ¡°I¡­ uh, I had to go to the bathroom,¡± she uttered with a forced smile.


    I stared at her intently, hoping that gazing into her eyes would trigger a surge of emotions or even recollections, yet nothing stirred inside me. Was I really just horny?


    The night we had shared was undeniably passionate and wild. I wondered if I had left any visible marks on her skin. I tried to catch a glimpse of her neck, but her hair concealed it from view. As I met her hazel gaze, a fleeting image of pale emerald eyes shed in my mind. Was it a memory or a mere figment of my imagination?


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Vienna inquired, her concern evident in her voice.


    Shaking my head to dispel the confusing thoughts, I assured her with a forced smile, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let us return inside.¡±


    *****


    ¡°So, I presume you had an enjoyable eveningst night,¡± remarked Lord Remus, reclining in his plush swivel chair and leisurely igniting his cigarette.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I stood before him, my hands casually tucked into my pockets within the confines of his wealthy study. He beckoned me to his side while I was engaged in a conversation with my beloved mother.


    I simply fixed my gaze on him, offering no response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t intend to pry, son,¡± he gestured dismissively, releasing a cloud of smoke into the air.


    ¡°No, that would have been rather awkward,¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°Oh,e now, we are both men,¡± he asserted.


    ¡°Now that the inevitable has already unfolded,¡± he leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table.


    ¡°Let us discuss the matter ofmitment.¡±


    I arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued by his words.


    ¡°Call me old-fashioned,¡± he shrugged his shoulders nonchntly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit early for that, don¡¯t you think?¡± I countered.


    ¡°The earlier, the better; you wouldn¡¯t wish to waste a single moment,¡± I understood his intention, yet there was merit to his argument. Vienna is my mate, and the union with her surpasses mere gratification. It represents a profound connection that transcends physical pleasure. This solemn obligation is my duty and responsibility, and it ys a vital role in maintaining my sanity and well-being.


    ¡°Very well,¡± I conceded, my lips pursed. His countenance blossomed into a triumphant grin like he had achieved a monumental victory.


    ¡°Fantastic! In that case, let¡¯s move forward with the required preparations!¡± he eximed loudly, hisughter echoing throughout the room.

 Chapter 21: Overthinking

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Oh, dear God, oh, dear God, oh, dear God,¡± I repeated fervently, my body wriggling through the dense greenery, seeking refuge from their presence.


    Unbelievable! This must be some cruel joke, a twisted joke yed on me. Did I really sleep with Lucian Red? The man who is the talk of the town, the one who sends women into a frenzy, the object of desire for practically every nobleman. The king of the north?


    I burst into manicughter, my hands involuntarily tugging at my own hair. I must be losing my mind.


    ¡°What in the world are you doing?¡± Maria¡¯s voice jolted me from my dazed state, and I turned to find her staring at me as if I hadpletely lost my mind. Well, perhaps I have.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Iposed myself hastily and resumed sweeping as if nothing extraordinary had urred. I could sense Maria¡¯s persistent gaze fixed on me, but I chose to ignore it.


    Oh, how I yearned to smack myself at this very moment.


    ¡°You¡¯re acting rather strange today,¡± she remarked, and I continued sweeping, pretending not to be affected. Eventually, she moved away to attend to her own duties in the garden. I breathed a sigh of relief, momentarily escaping her scrutiny.


    God grant me the strength to keep the truth from Maria. I swear, I am just one probing question away from spilling everything to her. The weight of this secret burdens me, and I long to unburden myself by sharing the truth with her.


    But I can¡¯t. Lucian Red belongs to Vienna, as Monsieur has made it abundantly clear. And even if I were to confess, where would I even begin? I can hardly fathom my own actions and emotions.


    I have always considered myself somewhat reserved and sentimental. Never would I have imagined that a mere touch, a single night, a fleeting moment could lead me to surrender everything.


    My goodness, I stood naked before himst night, and it took a mere five minutes to drown me in a carnal pleasure.


    At that moment, it felt like it was the most natural course of action as if we were two mas irresistibly drawn to each other. I had never encountered him before, and yet he emanated a sense of familiarity, as though he belonged to me, as though we were two halves of the same whole, bound by an unspoken connection.


    I know how absurd it sounds, truly. The notion of being intertwined souls, destined to be together. I am not one to surrender to romantic illusions. Fairy tales are the stuff of childhood fantasies, detached from the harsh realities of life. Perhaps he doesn¡¯t even recall the events ofst night. Maybe he used me merely to satisfy his desires, ensuring that Vienna remained untainted, preserving her purity for their wedding night.


    He didn¡¯t even bother to call me as I left this morning, not that I expected him to. But if our roles were reversed, I would have reached out, wouldn¡¯t I? Isn¡¯t he even the slightest bit curious about the identity of the woman he shared his bed with?


    No, I highly doubt it. Given his reputation, I imagine he¡¯s relieved that I made my swift exit. Men like him prefer such encounters devoid of any emotional entanglements or attachments. Purely physical satisfaction is their aim.


    I find myself overwhelmed by a torrent of conflicting emotions. After all, I had been saving myself for my future mate, assuming I even had one.


    I must banish him from my thoughts; he is nothing more than a shameful scoundrel. Furthermore, what is done is done, and I mustn¡¯t allow it to consume me.


    I attempted to convince myself of this, but my efforts fell short. Throughout the day, I engaged in futile conversations with my own conscience, apanied by self-inflicted blows to my own body. I suspect Maria has drawn her own conclusions, believing I have resorted to drug abuse.


    I am consumed by guilt, and I am certain I will eventually confide in her, but not at this moment. For now, I must endure this anguish on my own.


    As night fell, all the household servants assembled in the bustling kitchen, awaiting an announcement from Madam Cec¨¨.


    ¡°Miss Vienna and Lord Red are engaged,¡± Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨¡¯s words struck me with the force of a lightning bolt. It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been unceremoniously poured over me. They¡¯re engaged!? The word echoed in my mind, resonating with disbelief and a profound sense of loss.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Monsieur has arranged for an engagement party, and distinguished Lords and Ladies from various corners of the world have been invited,¡± Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨ dered with a regal air.


    ¡°We will start getting ready early in the morning. The event is nned for tomorrow evening, and it is crucial to act quickly,¡± she added, emphasising the urgency of the situation.


    ¡°Tomorrow evening?¡± I blurted out unintentionally, immediately regretting my loss ofposure. I hadn¡¯t meant for my thoughts to slip out.


    ¡°Yes, indeed. I anticipate everyone to disy upright behavior,¡± Madam Cec¨¨ replied, her gaze lingering on me. I furrowed my brow, confused by her scrutinising gaze. What was she trying to find?


    After Madam Cec¨¨ finished giving her instructions and guidelines, she excused us for the night. Tired of the events of the day, I eagerly looked forward to resting in thefort of my bed.


    ¡°What was with that strong reaction?¡± Maria¡¯s sudden voice startled me from behind.


    ¡°You nearly gave me a heart attack,¡± I eximed, clutching my chest.


    ¡°Tomorrow night?! Oh no!¡± she echoed my earlier response, albeit with a touch of exaggeration.


    ¡°Enough,¡± I retorted, swiftly moving away from her. Yet, as expected, she trailed after me.


    ¡°Do you have a crush on Lucian Red?¡± Maria¡¯s words stopped me in my tracks. I turned to face her, uncertainty etched on my face.


    ¡°What?¡± I responded incredulously, shooting her a mocking nce. Why would she even consider such an idea?


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s face it, you¡¯re not usually one to care about anything, yet you had that intense reaction earlier. Obviously, if it¡¯s not Vienna, it must be Lord Red,¡± she pointed at me as if she had caught memitting a scandalous act.


    ¡°You¡¯re being absolutely ridiculous,¡± I shook my head, dismissing her assumptions with a wave of my hand.


    ¡°Cercei has a crush!¡± she chimed in, her voice adopting a sing-song tone as she skipped away, leaving me dumbfounded. I couldn¡¯t believe what I had just witnessed. And here I thought I was the one losing my mind.


    A crush? Him? It¡¯s unimaginable. Sure, he may be attractive, I mean, he definitely is, but I do not have a crush on him. No, never! Why am I even entertaining this thought? I sighed in frustration, running my fingers through my hair.


    Maria has always had a tendency to create her own fantasies and dwell in her own delusions. I should have grown ustomed to it by now.


    Disregard that statement. I don¡¯t even know him well, but we did have a remarkable interactionst night. I couldn¡¯t help but blush.


    This is precisely why girls cry while boysugh it off. We overthink things far too much. From this moment forward, I will purposefully erase any memory of what took ce from my mind. It was an unfortunate night, and I will ensure it remains buried deep within me.


    But an engagement? Truly unexpected news that required my attention, regardless of my personal turmoil.


    The pace at which everything is unfolding is astonishing. Did he not even hesitate to consider the implications? Men of his ilk are perpetually driven by their insatiable hunger for power, always ready to seize any opportunity that presents itself.


    In truth, they are both well-suited for each other. Both hailing from influential and affluent backgrounds, they share their privileged status and an undeniable air of arrogance. Their personalities align in a way that few canprehend.


    I can only wish their union brings them a life filled with sess and fulfilment, as they appear destined to face the challenges of their ambitions together.

 Chapter 22: Unrelenting Trauma

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I yearn to extinguish the essence of my being, that I may finally end these incessant thoughts guing my mind.


    With a sullen look, I retraced my steps back to the cabin. Upon my arrival, I discovered my mother diligently engaged in tidying the disarray that had befallen the premises.


    A deep sense of chagrin bathed over me as I realised my obliviousness to the chaos, my mind preupied during my hasty departure earlier in the day.


    ¡°Mam¨¤,¡± I uttered awkwardly, my gait measured as I ventured indoors. The shattered flower vase, the cluttered table, and the forlorn sheets strewn across the floor seemed to suggest the aftermath of a violent upheaval that had swept through.


    ¡°Cercei, why is everything in such a mess? What happened here?¡± inquired my mother as she carefully collected the broken shards of ss, gingerly depositing them into a bag. I winced, engulfed by a profound sense of awkwardness. Honestly, this was an ufortable predicament.


    ¡°Uhm,¡± I let out a nervous chuckle, desperately searching for a reasonable exnation.


    ¡°The chicken did it,¡± I ventured to say. A chicken, of all things? First, a rabbit was med, and now a chicken. I am surely destined for the depths of animal purgatory. Though I have a deep affection for our animalpanions, sacrifices must sometimes be made for the greater good.


    ¡°A what?¡± she queried, perplexed. Retrieving a broom, she began sweeping the ss remains with practised preciseness.


    ¡°A chicken, it somehow found its way inside and caused havoc. I could not manage the mess as time was hindering me,¡± I admitted, my lip feeling the sting of my self-reproach. First, Ipromised my moral principles, and now I ampelled to weave a web of lies. Lucian Red, you are an evil influence!


    ¡°Where did ite from?¡± she inquired, fixing her gaze upon me. I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat.


    ¡°The barn!? Yes, it must havee from the barn,¡± I eximed, attempting to sound convincing.


    ¡°But the barn is located on the opposite side of the mansion; it couldn¡¯t have made its way here,¡± she responded, a perplexed expression adorning her face.


    ¡°Perhaps it was feeling adventurous,¡± I shrugged, eager to divert any further inquiries. Please, dear mother, cease your questioning. I have already woven enough lies today.


    I swear to God, if I ever look at Lord Red¡¯s wlessly chiselled countenance again, I will not hesitate to deliver a resounding blow. He has wrought such upheaval within me in just one night, and now he is on the brink of an engagement. What an insufferable rascal!


    Why am I even fixating on his uing engagement? I care not for him; I am merely burning with anger. It is not as though he forced me, but still¡­ Whatever!


    ¡°You should rest, mam¨¤. Allow me to finish this task,¡± I urged her, recognizing the toll that two consecutive days ofbour had taken on her weary form. She deserved sleep, for her fatigue was noticeable.


    ¡°Very well, I already have my meal. Be sure to nourish yourself,¡± she replied before retiring to her room. I mustered a bittersweet smile. Even when she was drained from toil, she always ensured my well-being like my father.


    A sniffle escaped me; no, I must beat this sadness. I grow weary of dwelling upon circumstances beyond my control, of pondering on the irrevocable past.


    He would not wish this on me; I am sure he would want me to find joy and release him from my thoughts. That is the essence of my father-selfless, perpetually cing others before himself. Oh, how I miss him.


    After fixing the mess that I unwittingly created the previous night, I took a moment to freshen up before surrendering to the embrace of my bed.


    This day has been utterly dreadful. My mind and body ache with exhaustion, the weariness seeping into my very bones.


    I overslept slightly, yet a faint glimmer of ease enveloped me upon waking up. Mam¨¤ had already departed, but she left behind a tender note apanied by a carefully prepared breakfast.


    A smile graced my lips as I beheld the delicate hearts adorning her message. It reminded me so much of pap¨¤¡¯s gestures; I know she yearns to fill the void he left behind. She protects me from the world, but I fear her focus is too singr. She, too, requires time and space to heal.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Having savoured the nourishment she lovingly provided, I made my way towards the grand mansion. Today marks the asion of the long-awaited engagement celebration, ensuring a whirlwind of activities for all involved. Esteemed guests from far-flung corners of the world shall grace their presence, gathering for the union of two of the most influential packs in the western and northern territories.


    Countless Lords will attend, seeking to curry favour or establish alliances. It was during a previous gathering of this nature that I lost my father.


    Anxiety grips me, and the trauma still lingers. I can only hope that events ur without incident, or at least for the well-being of the engaged couple.


    Every white rose and decorative flourish serves as a haunting reminder of that fateful night. The diligent servants tend to their duties, the resplendent chandeliers cast their ethereal glow, and the scarlet carpet unfurled like a path towards destiny.


    I find myself frozen in the midst of the extravagant ballroom, trapped in the depths of my anguish. It is as if I have be deaf to the murmurings and conversations swirling around me, a spectral observer amidst the crowd.


    My feet remain rooted to the floor, unable to propel me forward. I feel invisible, my hands trembling with an unseen force.


    ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± A sudden touch on my hand jolts me back to the present, a servant¡¯s concerned voice piercing through the haze. Still dazed, I can only stare at her with eyes brimming with fear.


    ¡°Cercei, are you alright?¡± She snapped her fingers, attempting to bring me back to the present. I forced my eyes shut, desperately seeking a mask ofposure.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m fine, thank you,¡± I managed to utter, offering her a feeble smile.


    ¡°We¡¯re not even halfway through yet, so there¡¯s no time for zoning out,¡± she reminded me sternly.


    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right,¡± I gathered myself. She was right; I couldn¡¯t allow myself to take this personally. This was not about me. I sniffled, using the back of my hand to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill.


    Despite my eyes welling up, I persevered, continuing to mop the floor. My hands trembled as I pushed and pulled, and I squeezed my eyes shut. No!


    I had to press on, despite feeling like the universe was tormenting me. I kept cleaning, disregarding the pain, the haunting shbacks, and the unrelenting trauma.


    I had thought I was making progress, that I was coping, that I was on the path to healing. But now, at this moment, I realised how far from the truth that notion was. I am still far from okay, fearing that true healing may forever elude me.


    No amount of understanding or revtion would bring peace to my shattered soul. Even if I were to uncover the truth of what truly happened that night, no reason in this world could everpel me to ept my father¡¯s untimely demise. No measure of goodness in my heart could lead me to forgive those responsible.


    Mam¨¤ has always taught me that holding grudges serves no good purpose. But this goes beyond mere notions of good or bad.


    They stole my father¡¯s life, and for that, I will never grant them my forgiveness.

 Chapter 23: Reflections on Duty and Doubt

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°Are you absolutely sure, Sire?¡± Frank¡¯s voice resonated in the air as I meticulously adjusted my tie. ncing at him through the reflection in the mirror, I observed his unwavering stance behind me, a stoic countenance etched onto his face.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± I queried, meeting his gaze through the mirror¡¯s ss. He maintained his posture, resolute and expressionless.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been an advocate of marriage,¡± he pointed out. I halted my tie-fixing attempts and turned to face him directly. Frank and I had grown up together, sharing a friendship that transcended the confines of our professional rtionship. He had begun serving me at a young age, and our bond gradually deepened.


    Indeed, he was correct. ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± I admitted.


    ¡°Yet here you are, preparing to enter into wedlock,¡± he stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°I am bing engaged,¡± I interjected, striving for precision.


    ¡°And subsequently, you will marry,¡± he highlighted the ringly obvious. I continued to gaze at him, silently urging him to borate. However, he shifted his focus to the wall, adjusting his posture as if he could somehow appear more rigid.


    I sensed a concealed resistance within him, something unsettling him amidst the haste of this arrangement.


    ¡°Not now,¡± I asserted.


    ¡°But soon,¡± he responded, his words lingering in the air.


    I exhaled wearily, my gaze fixed upon him. Without uttering another word, I proceeded to fasten my watch around my wrist.


    Tonight, I would be engaged. This day had been looming on the horizon for quite some time, though its significance held little sway over me, or so I believed.


    As the intoxicating fragrance lingered in the air, she seemed to possess a certain power over me in that fleeting moment. During those moments of intimacy, sensations arose within me-perhaps nothing more than fleeting sparks ignited by the heat of the moment.


    And now, here we were, engaged. There had been no coercion, no imposition of authority or responsibility. I had willingly taken this step because it promised to serve my interests, those of mypany, my alliance, and my own fragile sanity.


    Marriage, merely a contract bound by vows and adorned with rings, held no true weight for me. There was nothing to lose in tying this knot but everything to gain.


    ¡°A union of marriage is far from a simple affair, you know,¡± he remarked, breaking the silence that enveloped us.


    ¡°No,¡± I replied curtly, securing the buttons on my shirt.


    He sighed, surrendering the facade of stoicism he had carefully constructed.


    ¡°You need not worry,¡± I assured him.


    ¡°I understand, Sire,¡± he responded, his trust evident but tinged with a subtle trace of doubt in his tone.


    ¡°Everything is within my control,¡± I asserted, straightening my coat. I locked eyes with my reflection in the mirror. Frank was right-this marriage might hold no significance for me, but that did not imply it would be devoid of challenges.


    Despite the gratifying nature of that night, a nagging sense of ipleteness lingered within me. I knew it was Vienna with whom I had shared those intimate moments, the only woman who had been by my side.


    Yet, an unsettling feeling persisted, as if something was amiss. Thoughts of that night and the woman I had slept with incessantly invaded my mind, casting a shadow over every nce I cast upon Vienna. It was as if I were beholding a different woman altogether.


    But that couldn¡¯t be. Vienna had been by my side throughout. Besides, if it wasn¡¯t her, then who else could it possibly be?


    ¡°You still have time to reconsider, Sire,¡± Frank interjected.


    ¡°What is there to reconsider? This union is advantageous for the pack, thepany, and my own damned sanity,¡± I retorted sharply.


    ¡°Yes, Sire, but-¡± Frank began, taking a step forward. I swiftly raised my hand, cutting him off.


    ¡°You do not question my decisions. Do not forget your ce,¡± I snapped, seizing a ss of wine from the nearby table, and stormed out of the room.


    I knew Frank¡¯s concerns stemmed from genuine care, but he had no right to question me. Downing the wine in one gulp, I hurled the ss aside in frustration.


    Making my way to the balcony, I overlooked the vast expanse of MoonStone Mansion¡¯s grounds. The servants hurried all over, diligently preparing for the arrival of the guests.


    As much as I despised admitting it, Frank¡¯s words had managed to unsettle me. It wasn¡¯t a matter of being prepared for marriage; it was the weight ofmitment that bore down on me. If that aspect of our union were to falter, it would wreak havoc on a grand scale. The stakes were not solely personal-I was the leader of apany and a pack. This, without a doubt, was an enormous fucking risk.


    Here I stood, renowned for my strength and intelligence, hailed as the King in the North, yet beneath the moon¡¯s glow, I found myself utterly clueless about the path ahead.


    For a considerable time, I had devoted every ounce of my being-time, effort, and thoughts-to pursuing my destined mate, foolishly believing it would resolve all my problems.


    It hadn¡¯t.


    I hadn¡¯t anticipated stumbling into love, but I certainly hadn¡¯t envisioned it to be this hollow, this empty.


    I gazed up at the sky and chuckled with a hint of irony.


    I had been consumed by madness over the past months, consumed by the quest for my mate. And now that I had found her, not even the faintest trace of happiness stirred within me.


    It was time for me to return to rationality, to quell the snapping anger, the sudden surges of heat, and the restless nights.


    And yet, I couldn¡¯t muster a bit of gratitude. It all seemed too effortless, too swift. Was it meant to be this way, or was I simply adept at finding my mate?


    I shook my head, aware that I was likely overthinking the situation. I reassured myself that I would figure it out along the way, as I always had.


    ¡°My Lord,¡± a servant appeared behind me, catching my attention.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Monsieur has requested your presence in his office,¡± she announced, bowing before taking her leave.


    I went to Lord Remus¡¯ study, finding him lounging in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, and a cigarette between his fingers.


    ¡°Big night, my lord,¡± he greeted me as I entered, promptly pulling his legs down and assuming a moreposed position.


    ¡°Indeed,¡± I replied, my expression was serious.


    ¡°I apologise for summoning you here, but I wanted to inquire if you have extended any invitations to members of your pack. I wish to ensure they feel most wee,¡± he exined.


    ¡°I would have, but given the suddenness of this event, I do not wish to burden them with such short notice,¡± I responded, considering the abrupt event.


    ¡°So, it will be just you and your butler on your special night,¡± he remarked, not posing it as a question.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I confirmed decisively. Lord Remus appeared perplexed for a moment but swiftly dismissed it.


    ¡°Very well. Are you certain you do not wish to invite anyone else?¡± he inquired, his curiosity evident.


    ¡°If you believe it is necessary, my lord, I can extend invitations,¡± I offered, recognizing his eagerness for guest attendance.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. I merely wished to ensure. Regardless, let usmence the festivities,¡± he dered, ready to get the party underway.

 Chapter 24: Extending Help To Sophia

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Amid the abundant design and meticulously crafted ambiance, the execution of the event proved to be surprisingly swift.


    Monsieur, always a perceptive expert, had sought the assistance of highly skilled designers and arge group of one thousand workers. My asional bouts of remembering the past fondly and brief periods of confusion went mostly unnoticed, or at least Madam Cec¨¨ appeared unaware of them.


    It dawned on me that my presence would only breed chaos rather than aid in the proceedings. Consequently, I decided to lend a helping hand in the bustling kitchen. Naturally, I refrained from culinary duties, for they had enlisted the services of numerous seasoned chefs. However, I did contribute by preparing the utensils and sundry paraphernalia.


    Lost in my own reverie for the most part, I eventually retreated outside to embrace the refreshing breeze of the evening air. The mistake I made earlier continued to trouble my mind and trying to rify the subsequent events proved to be a difficult and challenging endeavour.


    How do I even exin that?


    The essential point is that achieving perfection is necessary. Although I am not the one getting married or receiving the abundant rewards of the union, no person in this grand gathering pursues wlessness with a greater passion than I do.


    Typically, I am not prone to clumsiness or mistakes, but I feel quite ufortable in social gatherings. The grand and elegant ball serves as evidence of my predicament.


    After the finishing touches adorned every corner of the venue, I returned to the majestic mansion to change my clothes. Responsibility called me to serve during the uing social gathering, and, as expected, masks were required to be worn as per Vienna¡¯s instruction.


    While struggling to bnce a tray filled with enticing cocktails, Maria looked at the magnificent ballroom and said, ¡°This gathering exceeds the grandeur of the ball.¡±


    An exasperated sigh escaped my lips, betraying my inner turmoil.


    ¡°Why the umm,¡± she yfully mimicked my sigh, her toneced with curiosity.


    ¡°Oh, nothing of great consequence. It¡¯s just that the previous soir¨¦e didn¡¯t quite unfold as expected,¡± I confessed, a tinge of disappointment lingering in my voice.


    She gazed at me with genuine concern andpassion radiating from her luminous eyes and uttered, ¡°Oh, my dear.¡±


    ¡°I would love to hug you right now, but I can¡¯t,¡± A pang of longing to be enveloped in herforting embrace bathed over me, but her hands were upied by the tray she dutifully carried.


    A glimmer of tears moistened my eyes, yet I managed to muster a faint chuckle. ¡°I, too, would embrace you wholeheartedly, but¡­¡± My gesture revealed the food and drinks I held in my hands.


    ¡°Serve them what you have,¡± she advised, her mischievous wink coaxing a genuine smile to grace my countenance. With her whimsical, audacious, and spirited disposition, Maria never failed to elicit joy within me.


    Throughout the night, I approached my serving duties with utmost caution. I deliberately maintained a safe distance from the cluster of gentlemen, as well as from Vienna and her fiance.


    My objective was to keep a low profile, avoiding any semnce of conversation. After all, such is the unwritten code governing the conduct of a servant.


    Thus far, I have managed to steer the evening with rtive sess, despite the constant thudding of my heart and the relentless onught of paranoid thoughts. I was determined not to falter, to avoid any mishaps that could tarnish this meticulously orchestrated affair.


    Amidst the bustling conversations and the collective gaze fixated upon the engaged couple, I remained a mere spectre, unseen and inconspicuous.


    I exerted every ounce of effort to avert my gaze from their direction. The temptation to steal a glimpse of Lucian was overpowering, yet I steadfastly kept my head held steady. It was a challenge, especially considering the alluring, intoxicating aroma that emanated from him. I marvelled at myposure, avoiding misfortunes that might have betrayed my inner frenzy.


    I vehemently resisted any thoughts that would remind me of that fateful, sinful night. To witness him now, entering into an engagement as if nothing had happened between us, was a bitter pill to swallow. I am well aware that men of his ilk are plentiful, scattered across the vast tapestry of society.


    I learn the reality of such encounters and their transient nature. However, I cannot simply feign indifference, not when it holds such significance for me. It was my first kiss, my first encounter. I hesitated to even consider it as such, but the casual way he treated it gave me no option but to perceive it as a brief and insignificant affair.


    As a servant, I am ustomed to tending to the needs of the aristocracy, but not in this manner. At the very least, I had expected him to show a minimum level of decency-a conversation, an apology for crossing the boundaries of that secluded cabin.


    Yet, I resolved to handle the situation with maturity. I refrained from stealing even a single glimpse of him throughout the night, focusing instead on perfecting my stride to avoid any untoward spills.


    After dutifully delivering beverages to the guests at the rear table, I seized a fleeting moment for rest. Even though breaks were not included in our responsibilities, I found myself overwhelmed by the internal restlessness. The memories of those two wretched nights intertwined in my mind, creating an unbidden remix of anguish and despair.


    Overwhelmed, I soughtfort outside the confines of the mansion, escaping to the embrace of the moonlit night. Gazing upon the radiant full moon, a part of me yearned to transform-to lose myself amidst the mysterious depths of the forest and momentarily forget my burdens.


    To roam freely, to hunt, and revel in my primal nature. It was an activity my father and I once shared, a cherished bond we forged. While my mother instilled in me the values of decency, sophistication, and etiquette, my father taught me the ways of the hunt, instilling bravery and self-discovery within me.


    Now, with his absence, it feels as though his teachings have faded into oblivion. Oh, how I longed to immerse myself in those majestic forests. Unfortunately, the price of such an indulgence would require me to give up everything that is dear to me.


    ¡°Cercei, what are you doing here?¡± Startled, I leapt to my feet as a voice abruptly pierced the stillness behind me. I stammered, taken aback by the sudden presence.


    ¡°Mad¨¤m,¡± I responded, my voice betraying my nerves.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she repeated, her tone insistent, demanding an exnation.


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ it became overwhelming inside, and I needed¡­ I was about to return,¡± I gestured clumsily, my fingers pointing aimlessly in various directions, desperately searching for the right words to justify my presence.


    Her gaze bore into me, fierce and unyielding. My legs quivered involuntarily beneath me. Yet, with a sigh, her eyes softened, and a fleeting tenderness reced her earlier intensity.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Go back inside, child. We have a multitude of hungry guests awaiting their food,¡± she instructed, gently cing a hand on my back and guiding me towards the entrance.


    Relief washed over me as Mad¨¤m Cec¨¨ chose not to reprimand me. I knew she possessed some awareness of what had urred to my father-perhaps not the entirety of it, but she understood the heartless detachment Monsieur had inflicted upon him.


    Resuming my duties, I continued serving drinks and delicacies to the guests. Ensuring to maintain a safe distance, I steered the room with measured steps. One particr table, upied by a group of men, summoned me and inquired about my name. I merely bowed in deference, abstaining from uttering a single word. Luckily, they didn¡¯t possess the persistent insistence disyed by those who came before them.


    A sudden pang of distress gripped me, causing my hand to clutch my abdomen instinctively.


    ¡°Oh god, I have a stomachache,¡± Sophia eximed. I happened to be in the kitchen, getting more wine, when I noticed Sophia grimacing and sitting on the floor, clutching her stomach. She¡¯s the girl I spoke to earlier, the one who helped me when I was lost due to my traumatic experience.


    ¡°Sophia, are you alright?¡± I inquired, hastily setting the tray aside and rushing to her side. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and herplexion had paled noticeably.


    A disturbing realisation rinsed over me as I surveyed the bustling kitchen. Countless servants darted about, their attention consumed by their respective tasks. How could they so easily disregard the dilemma of another in pain? While the demands of the asion were pressing, it troubled me deeply to witness such apathy.


    ¡°I can no longer attend my assigned table. Could you please take over and serve their meals, just this once?¡± Sophia¡¯s voice strained with each word, her agonized grunts betraying the severity of her difort. Panic surged inside me as I witnessed her suffering.


    ¡°What about you? Let me help you to your room,¡± I implored, my concern overriding any thoughts of the impending responsibilities that awaited me.


    ¡°No, I can manage on my own, but you must serve them, please,¡± she begged, her wordsced with desperation.


    ¡°Alright, alright. Which table?¡± I acquiesced, my mind clouded by sympathy, blinding me to the potential consequences of my actions.


    ¡°The gold one at the center,¡± she replied, and I nodded absentmindedly. Little did I realise that the goodwill of empathy could sometimes lead one down a path of careless foolishness.

 Chapter 25: Clean It

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Sophia-¡± I began to express my concerns, my voice filled with worry.


    ¡°Please, Cercei, they¡¯re going to hold me responsible,¡± she groaned in anguish, and I futilely grasped her arms, seeking to offer some form offort.


    ¡°Okay, fine,¡± I blurted out in a state of panic, my worry for her well-being overriding any rational thought. I couldn¡¯t bear to see her suffer, so I reluctantly agreed.


    Before she could even utter a word of gratitude, Sophia copsed. My hands trembled as I nced around, dismayed by the apathy surrounding us. The kitchen remained abuzz with servants bustling in and out, preupied with their tasks of fetching and replenishing food and drinks.


    ¡°Sophia,¡± a fellow servant girl approached us, presumably the friend Sophia had mentioned.


    ¡°Let¡¯s bring her to our quarters,¡± she suggested, and together we supported Sophia¡¯s limp body, carrying her toward the designated living quarters. She wasn¡¯t overly heavy, but the weight of our unconsciouspanion made the journey difficult.


    Once we had settled Sophia onto the bed, I couldn¡¯t help but voice my concerns. ¡°Is she going to be alright?¡± I asked, my voice filled with genuine worry.


    ¡°She tends to lose consciousness during her ulcer attacks. I¡¯ll make sure she takes her medication once she awakens,¡± her friend reassured me. Although we both desired to remain by Sophia¡¯s side and ensure her well-being, the overwhelming demands of serving many guests beckoned us.


    Taking a deep breath, I allowed a few strands of hair to cascade across my face, a futile attempt to mask the agitation within. The mask I wore hid more than just my face-it concealed the burden of my inner struggles.


    The table assigned to Sophia for service belonged to Vienna, apanied by her fianc¨¦ and a distinguished gathering of Lords and Ladies. I fervently hoped that Sophia would be preupied, sparing me any recognition. After all, she rarely took notice of the servants attending to her.


    With deliberate steps and measured breaths, I approached their table, my heart pounding with each movement. I firmly clutched the cart I pushed, determined to maintainposure.


    ¡°And how many heirs should we anticipate?¡± inquired one of the Lords, prompting a burst of melodicughter from Vienna.


    ¡°Well, that depends on Lucian¡¯s capability,¡± she responded yfully, her eyes gleaming mischievously. The entire table erupted inughter, except for Lucian.


    His intense gaze bore into me as I cautiously served their food. Goodness, his stare prated my very soul. He scrutinised my every gesture, studying my hands, my hair, and my physique.


    His unwavering attention only amplified my nervousness, causing me to feel the urge to pee.


    I silently thanked my stars that Vienna and herpanions were sufficiently engrossed in their conversations, sparing me their notice. However, this particr gentleman persisted in his attempt to pierce through my facade, even tilting his head curiously.


    Could he possibly remember me? It seemed imusible!


    I was fully concealed by now, wearing a mask that obscured my face and my hair draped strategically to hide any recognition. I would barely recognize him myself were it not for his distinctive scent.


    But could he, in some inexplicable manner, smell my scent?


    When I delicately ced the final dish on the table, his grip tightened around my arms. A surge of panic rushed through me when I lost touch with the te, causing it to plunge into hisp.


    A ghastly paleness crushed my lips as a chill coursed through my body. The beads of sweat formed rapidly on my forehead.


    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡± eximed ady seated at the other table. The sound of shattering porcin and ttering cutlery thundered in my ears, leaving me momentarily stunned. I gazed at Lucian, attempting to rectify the situation by removing the food from his soiled garment.


    ¡°You foolish girl, fetch a napkin!¡± bellowed a Lord, jolting me back to reality. With a quickened pulse, I retrieved a handful of tissues from the tray and handed them to him.


    I stood there feeling foolish and helpless, observing the esctingmotion.


    His gaze fixated on my hand as I presented him with the napkin.


    ¡°Clean it,¡± hemanded with an icy detachment. Terror coursed through my veins as I met his gaze. ncing to his side, I noticed Vienna¡¯s eyes piercing through me, brimming with anger.


    Quivering uncontrobly, I obeyed his order. I gingerly wiped away the remains of the meal from his shirt, yet my efforts only seemed to worsen the situation.


    ¡°Step aside,¡± Vienna interjected, pushing me onto the floor and assuming the task herself. Lucian continued to fix his unwavering gaze on me while Vienna attended to his stained attire.


    ¡°No, I want her to attend to me,¡± he dered, pointing directly at me. Vienna halted abruptly, her expression a mixture of offense and resentment.


    ¡°Uh,¡± I stammered, my eyes darting between Vienna and Lucian.


    ¡°Are you refusing your duties, servant girl?¡± he uttered with a tone devoid of mercy. My trembling lips struggled to form a response, but I swallowed hard, summoning my willpower as I stood up.


    With measured steps, I reached for another napkin, my inner agitation noticeable. Standing beside Lucian was Vienna, teetering on the edge of an explosion.


    As I gingerly touched Lucian, Vienna suddenly ripped off my mask. Terror seized me as I locked eyes with her. Her expression widened in shock as she recognized me. I shifted my gaze to Lucian, witnessing a mirrored astonishment in his eyes.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°You-¡± he pointed at me.


    ¡°You bloody whore!¡± Vienna lunged at me, her ws digging into my flesh. Caught off guard by her attack, I failed to defend myself immediately.


    ¡°You¡¯re just like your mother!¡± she screamed, consumed by rage. This wasn¡¯t the first time Vienna had unleashed her violence upon me, but it was the first time I truly felt fear. She appeared poised to unleash her wrath and bring me to an untimely end.


    We found ourselves on the floor, with Vienna now atop me, her savage ws scraping at my skin. She was halfway transformed into a wolf, her anger blinding her to the world. I desperately attempted to transform into my wolf form, but she possessed an overwhelming strength that pinned me down, fuelled by a fit of anger surpassing any known bounds.


    I cried out in pain.


    ¡°Please, let me go!¡± I pleaded, shielding my face with my arms, desperately seeking self-preservation.


    Inadvertently, I caught sight of Lucian, his own astonishment mirroring mine. He stepped forward, intending to pry Vienna away from me when suddenly, a wolf lunged at her.


    A collective gasp echoed through the room. Vienna, who should have remained atop me, rolled to the side instead.


    Enraged and consumed by fury, Viennapleted her transformation into a full-fledged wolf. Panic swept through the ballroom as screams pierced the air, and people hastened to leave.


    Bleeding and wracked with pain, I clutched my wounded arms, fixing my gaze on the wolf that had intervened.


    ¡°Mam¨¤.¡± A weak exmation slipped my lips as I saw my Mom in her wolf form.

 Chapter 26: Whore?

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Mam¨¤?


    A terrifying creature adorned in deep brown fur and possessing fiery crimson eyes emerges before me, and I am certain it is my beloved mother.


    I fixed my gaze on her, witnessing her growling fiercely at Vienna, attempting to assert dominance. Tears streamed down my face, my arms throbbing with pain, yet fear overwhelmed me.


    Fear of what fate awaits my mother and the looming aftermath ahead. I shook my head, desperate to deny the unfolding reality.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, no!¡± I cried out, my voice breaking with anguish.


    I was on the verge of darting into the middle, interrupting their imminent outbreak of violence; however, a gentle yet unyielding hand encircled my waist, holding me back. It felt as unyielding as solid stone, rendering me powerless. I kicked and punched against the air in a futile attempt to break free, but my efforts were in vain. A piercing scream escaped my lips as Viennaunched an assault on my mother.


    Though my mother may be older, Vienna seethed with zing fury, channeling that intense anger into a source of inner strength, simr to how a wolf taps into its emotions to intensify its power.


    I knew deep down that my mother harboured no ill intention towards her, despite Vienna¡¯s cruel treatment of our entire family and me. My mother always sought to understand her, the idea I failed toprehend. Mam¨¤ only wanted to shield and protect me, and now Vienna¡¯s fury was aimed squarely at her.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± I shouted desperately at the man who clutched me tightly, unable to even catch a glimpse of his face in my terror-stricken state, for my thoughts were consumed by my mother¡¯s safety.


    My cries grew even more desperate as Mam¨¤ whimpered in agony, toppled by Vienna¡¯s onught. Blood trickled down her battered limbs, staining her fur with crimson.


    Weak and bleeding, my mother rose to her feet with painful strides. Each step she took prompted whimpers of pain, yet she mustered the strength to approach me, taking a protective stance.


    Iy on the ground, my own wounds bleeding, my face drenched in tears, while a man firmly grasped my trembling shoulders.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, please,¡± I pleaded, locking eyes with her wolf, searching for her essence. Her crimson gaze met mine, a reflection of her maternal love.


    ¡°Vienna, cease this madness!¡± Monsieur¡¯s voice resonated with seething anger.


    But Vienna disregarded her father¡¯smand, advancing with a menacing stance. My lips turned pale, gripping tightly onto the hands that restrained me.


    ¡°Stop her,¡± I pleaded, casting a desperate nce over my shoulder to see it was Lucian. His countenance exuded dominance and masculinity, yet he remained seated, firmly securing me.


    ¡°I cannot intervene,¡± he uttered. My trembling lips quivered, tears glistening in my eyes as I clutched to the arm encircling me. His gaze fixed on my hand that was touching his arm.


    ¡°Please,¡± I pleaded, his jaw clenched in response.


    Taking a deep breath, he rose to his feet. His eyes met mine momentarily before shifting his gaze towards Vienna.


    He was prepared to step between them when Monsieur acted swiftly and took that decisive stride first.


    ¡°I said, cease this madness!¡± His voice echoed through the house, shattering the tranquility of every window.


    Startled by her father¡¯s boomingmand, Vienna took a hesitant step back.


    Without hesitation, I hurried to my mother¡¯s side, who nowy on the floor. Vienna had unleashed her fury on Mam¨¤, but my mother did not retaliate in kind; she only defended herself.


    Tears streamed down my face, my anguish so overwhelming that I felt like I might vomit. ¡°I¡¯m so, so sorry, mam¨¤. This is all my fault,¡± I managed to choke out between sobs.


    ¡°Please, forgive me,¡± I pleaded, my voice trembling.


    ¡°Return to your human form!¡± Monsieurmanded with unwavering authority, his words dripping with dominance.


    Vienna transformed back into her human shape, and a servant promptly handed her a robe.


    My mother also shifted back to her human form, and Lucian handed me his coat at this moment. I nced at him and epted it gratefully, using it to cover my mother¡¯s wounded body, grateful that it wasrge enough to shield her.


    We sat on the floor, huddled together, both of us bearing deep wounds, while Vienna, unaffected and still consumed by her anger, remained unharmed.


    ¡°You¡¯re taking your whore¡¯s side, Father?¡± Vienna spat at her father, her wordsced with venom. Monsieur¡¯s expression hardened, deeply offended by the usation.


    ¡°What?¡± He asked, his tone stern and unwavering.


    ¡°You¡¯re taking your whore¡¯s side?¡± Vienna repeated, her wordsced with slow, deliberate venom, further stoking her father¡¯s anger.


    ¡°What on earth are you talking about?¡± Monsieur¡¯s confusion was evident in his voice.


    Vienna¡¯sughter filled the room, mocking her father as if his ignorance was the most absurd thing she had ever encountered.


    ¡°Oh, you truly have no idea?¡± She sneered, her expression dripping with betrayal and deep-seated resentment.


    ¡°You honestly don¡¯t fucking know?!¡± Her scream resounded, tears streaming down her face. Anger and pain mingled in her voice, an unbearable bluster of emotions.


    Monsieur stared at his daughter, witnessing her emotional breakdown, his own heart heavy with the weight of her anguish.


    ¡°I heard you that night,¡± her voice cracked,ced with shattered trust.


    ¡°How could you?¡± Her cry was filled with sorrow.


    ¡°How could you?!¡±


    Monsieur approached her, attempting to calm her raging turmoil, but Viennashed out,nding punches on her father¡¯s chest as she flinched from his touch.


    ¡°Vienna, please,¡± Monsieur pleaded, his grip on her hands tight. Never before had I witnessed Vienna in such a state of vulnerability and pain. She had always exuded an aura of anger and yfulness, never revealing this fragile side of her.


    Despite the deep-rooted resentment I held towards Vienna for the torment she inflicted on me and my mother throughout our lives, at this moment, an unexpected wave of sympathy filled my heart.


    What did she mean by hearing what happened that night? What had she heard?


    ¡°And you, you fucking whore,¡± Vienna pointed usingly at my mother, her finger a symbol of degradation. Monsieur attempted to restrain her, his hand reaching out, but she persisted in demeaning my mother.


    ¡°You¡¯re so desperate to escape very that you seduced my dad!¡±


    My eyes widened as I turned to look at my mother. Her head was bowed, tears streaming down her face. Confusion etched deep lines across my forehead as a torrent of questions flooded my mind.


    What was Vienna talking about?


    Vienna seemed to notice my bewildered reaction.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right, your mother is a slut. Now you know where you got it from,¡± she sneered.


    My mother raised her head, her gaze filled with defiance as she red back at Vienna.


    ¡°Leave my daughter out of this,¡± she asserted, her voice tinged with strength. Vienna scoffed, attempting to push past her father, who stood as a barrier between her, preventing another attack.


    ¡°Vienna, stop this. I¡¯ll exin itter,¡± Monsieur intervened, his voiceced with a mixture of firmness and anger. Vienna¡¯s re remained fixed on her father, a tumultuous storm raging inside her.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Vienna stared at her father in utter disbelief, unable to fathom such a response.


    ¡°Exin what, Dad? How you had an affair with your own maid, and how did you pound on her?¡± she spat out the words with a bitter intensity.


    Monsieur¡¯s jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. ¡°Mind your words,¡± he growled through gritted teeth, but Vienna remained unflinching.


    ¡°Or what?¡± she challenged, her voice filled with anger.


    ¡°What else could you do that is worse than what you have already done?¡± she snapped again, her voice heavy with dismay.


    Confusion overwhelmed me as I struggled to piece together the fragments of their conversation. My mind raced, trying toprehend the weight of Vienna¡¯s usations. The words she had hurled earlier still hung in the air, unresolved and haunting.


    I turned to my mother, searching for answers in her tear-stained eyes. She met my gaze, a mixture of sorrow and determination reflected in her expression. Silently, she reached out and cupped my face with both hands, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead. It was a gesture filled with love and reassurance, a silent promise that she would protect me from the storm brewing ahead.

 Chapter 27: Plan To Escape

    Emilia¡¯s POV (Cercei¡¯s Mother)


    The night of the Moon Ball


    ¡°Henri, I can no longer endure this,¡± I told my husband as we stood in our quarters, facing each other.


    He gently drew me closer, his touchforting and familiar.


    ¡°I know, Mon Amour,¡± he whispered, kissing my brow tenderly. I surrendered myself to the sensation, shutting my eyes as his lips touched my skin.


    ¡°How much longer must I endure?¡± I inquired, my voiceced with longing. His mysterious smile was his sole reply.


    ¡°Tonight, my darling, we will seize our chance and embark on a daring escape to establish a new life in a faraway sanctuary,¡± he dered firmly.


    As his words prated my soul, a wave of hope surged through my veins, drowning out the loud thump of my racing heart. Despite the looming uncertainty, I held onto this delicate flicker of possibility, daring to envision a life liberated from the restraints of our current situation.


    ¡°But what if our n is discovered?¡± I fretted, a hint of anxiety etching itself onto my features. His gentle hand caressed my cheek, soothing my anxiety.


    With unwavering conviction, he assured me, ¡®We won¡¯t be discovered.¡±


    ¡°What if luck turns against us?¡± I persisted, my doubts unyielding to his reassurance.


    ¡°We will not fail, I give you my word,¡± he dered, sealing his vow with a kiss on my lips.


    Henri had never broken a promise to me before, and his tirelessmitment braced my spirit. I was acutely aware of our n¡¯s dangerous nature, threatening our lives and those of our beloved daughter. Yet the torment of living under the tyrannical rule of our master was a fate far more agonising than any risks we might encounter on our path to freedom.


    I spent the entire night in a state of nervous anticipation, eagerly awaiting the height of darkness. It was the crucial moment we had been nning for months-this grand ball, the ideal asion for our escape. All we needed was to create a diversion, inciting chaos and panic, allowing us to slip away unnoticed among the guests. Our endpoint would be the town square, where we would board a train and let the wheels carry us to an uncertain destination.


    We purposely kept Cercei out of the loop regarding our n, as we didn¡¯t want her to experience unnecessary panic or concern. Moreover, she is too young to be involved in such a scheme. When the chance allows us, we will swiftly retrieve her. Currently, she is upied with her duties of serving tables while both my husband and I stand near the Alpha, ensuring that everything proceeds as intended.


    ¡°A splendid evening, isn¡¯t it, Henri?¡± Remus chuckled cheerfully, his wine ss in hand and his touch lingering on my back as his gaze roved across the enchanting dance floor.


    Suppressing the urge to recoil, I bit down my tongue, restraining any visible reaction. Remus, seated at the central table, upied the position of power, with Henri stationed at his right and myself at his left. Observing Remus¡¯ hand on me, he clenched his fist in anger. Our eyes locked, and I swiftly shook my head, attempting to convey a silent warning. We had invested countless hours and immense effort into orchestrating this crucial juncture, and the stakes were too high to permit any misstep.


    ¡°Yes, Monsieur,¡± Henri forced the words out through gritted teeth, his gaze meeting mine in a silent understanding. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply, gathering myposure, and fortifying my determination.


    ¡°Come now, amigo, loosen up a little,¡± Remus taunted, hisughter echoing again, his hand encircling my waist, venturing ufortably lower.


    Disgust welled up inside me, and I held my breath in hostility. Such unwee advances had be an unfortunate routine that neither Henri nor I had grown ustomed to enduring. At this moment, I silently prayed to the heavens, invoking the aid of every saint, praying fervently that Monsieur would choke on his drink, meeting a fate that would align with his despicable actions.


    Suddenly, an abrupt silence engulfed the room as the music abruptly halted. All eyes turned towards the source of the disturbance, including Monsieur¡¯s. Relief flooded me as his hand retreated,pelled by themotion that had seized everyone¡¯s attention.


    When Remus departed, Henri enfolded me in a heartfelt embrace, tears mingling down my eyes. The moment¡¯s weight bore down on us, both exhrating and terrifying in magnitude.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± Remus¡¯s voice thundered through the room, demanding answers.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± Henri whispered beside me, his words barely audible in the middle of the noise. I nodded instantly, relentless perseverance zing in my eyes.


    ¡°I will retrieve Cercei. Go and prepare our belongings,¡± he instructed, his voice brimming with urgency before he hastened off searching for our daughter. With bated breath, I retreated slowly, ensuring no prying eyes followed my movements.


    I hurried to our quarters and retrieved the bag hidden beneath the bed. To seamlessly blend in with the guests, we needed attire that matched their elegance. Although Icked extravagant gowns, I did possess a few formal dresses that would suffice for the asion.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Each passing moment only intensified my nerves, but I forged ahead, undeterred. We had left behind all our belongings, save for this bag, containing only the garments that would help us assimte into our new identities. Clutching the bag tightly, I made my way back to the rear of the mansion, where the apple tree stood, serving as our designated meeting point.


    This was our designated meeting point, a secluded area free from guards and prying eyes. The forest route was not an option due to heightened security, leaving us with no choice but to escape in in sight and evade detection amidst the chaos of the grand ball.


    I paced back and forth, my anxiety escting with every passing second. Henri and Cercei were nowhere in sight, and the minutes continued to tick away, far beyond the time they were meant to arrive. Panic began to grip me, and doubts infiltrated my thoughts. What could be causing such a significant dy?


    When Henri approached, a sigh of relief escaped my lips, and a glimmer of hope rekindled inside me.


    A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, ready to express my relief, but it faltered after seeing the worry across his face. Something was amiss, and my heart sank as I realised Cercei was not by his side.


    ¡°Where is Cercei?¡± I blurted out anxiously, impatience betraying the worry coursing through my veins. Henri¡¯s gaze held mine for a fleeting moment before he responded.


    ¡°She¡¯s in trouble,¡± he finally replied, his words hanging heavy in the air. Panic surged through me, demanding immediate answers.


    ¡°What do you mean? What happened?¡± I pressed, my nerves tingling with tension. Henri massaged his temples, his expression pained.


    ¡°Lord Lucian held her captive at the grand ballroom. She identally spilled a drink on hisp, and now Vienna is furious,¡± he hissed, a mixture of anger and frustration colouring his tone. He facepalmed as if grappling with the weight of the situation.


    ¡°How is she?¡± I inquired anxiously, my motherly instincts fiercely protective.


    ¡°I must go back to the ballroom to ensure Monsieur doesn¡¯t inflict punishment on our daughter,¡± Henri responded, his words heavy with sorrow. I nodded, my voice barely a whisper in acknowledgment.


    ¡°Go back inside. It¡¯s too risky for you to stay here. I¡¯ll give you a signal once everything is in ce,¡± he uttered, gently kissing my forehead before he disappeared into my sight.


    Legs quivering with fear, I mustered the strength to return to the grand mansion. My footsteps were as light as a feather, my mind consumed by thoughts of my beloved daughter. The fear swelled deep inside me, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a wless night-this unforeseen turn of events threatened to shatter our meticulously crafted n.


    I returned to our quarters and sank onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. The thought of going back to the ballroom was too risky; if Monsieur caught sight of me, he would never allow me to leave his side again.


    He is a monstrous figure devoid of mercy and consumed by pure evil. He never bothers to conceal his true nature, not towards me or even histe wife. His inappropriate touches, words, and maniption of power and authority to bend everything to his will fuel my profound disdain for him. I yearn to plunge a knife into his heart to end his tyranny. Yet, I am fully aware that such an act can¡¯t be aplished through strength, power, or circumstance. Our only recourse is to flee, to escape his clutches. I know without a doubt that he would pursue us relentlessly, no matter the corners of the world we sought refuge in. Nevertheless, I cannot endure another day in this horrible ce.


    I stared at the wall and realised the extent of my loathing for this mansion. Every corner of its structure serves as a haunting reminder of the kind of monster Remus truly is. Every brick and wall embodies the painful memories of how he molested me.

 Chapter 28: The Night Of Henr矛鈥檚 Death

    Emilia¡¯s POV (Cercei¡¯s Mam¨¤)


    shback Of A Haunting Memory Of Painful Molestation


    In a sudden outburst, Monsieur violently swept everything off his table, leaving a trail of chaos in his study room. Unsatisfied with this disy of rage, he seized a nearby chair and hurled it against the wall, shattering the room¡¯s tranquillity.


    Trembling with fear, I mped down my tongue, determined to suppress any sound that might escape my lips. We were supposed to be studying, but Monsieur was consumed by a raging heat, a primal urge to find his mate and satiate his cravings. Every little thing set him off, eroding his patience and driving him toward the brink of insanity.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he bellowed, snatching the bourbon bottle from the table and taking a long swig straight from its neck.


    With only a quarter of the bottle remaining, he downed the entire contents and hurled it again, this time dangerously close to my trembling form. I couldn¡¯t contain my terror, and a shriek escaped my lips as the shattered ss pierced my skin, drawing blood.


    His attention snapped to me when hearing my cry.


    ¡°Hush,¡± hemanded, approaching me with a predatory gaze. My heart pounded in my chest as he drew nearer, his finger pressed against my quivering lips. I stared at him, wide-eyed and pale as a sheet of paper, ovee with dread.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. A whimper escaped my lips, and tears streamed down my face. His hands already rested on my waist.


    ¡°Monsieur, please,¡± I pleaded, attempting to push him away, but his strength was overpowering. I desperately tried to evade his touch, but his persistence knew no bounds.


    ¡°Please, what, huh?¡± he jeered, pressing my hands against the wall. Tears flowed freely as I begged for mercy while he mercilessly nted kisses on my slender neck.


    No, this couldn¡¯t be happening. I was defenceless against his physical strength, left only to weep as he vited every sacred part of my being.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    I was renderedpletely helpless, feeble, and devoid of power. He exploited this vulnerability, particrly his position of authority. A monthter, an unforeseen consequence arose from his sinister actions.


    Every morning, I found myself gued by bouts of nausea, certain smells triggering waves of sickness. I grew inexplicably fatigued. It was then that I discovered I was pregnant.


    My entire being turned icy cold as I stared at those two crimson lines that appeared in a pregnancy test kit. My mind ceased functioning, and the world around me stood at a standstill. Not a single tear could escape my eyes. I was numb.


    I mustered the courage to confide in him, only to be met with his menacing threat, warning me never to breathe a word of it to anyone. I reluctantly agreed. This was never meant to happen, but it had. I harboured anger towards the world for everything that had happened to me, yet I never harboured resentment towards the life blossoming inside my body.


    During my pregnancy, I was temporarily sent away to a neighbouring town, where fate brought along the man who would be the love of my life, my mate. He stood by my side, offering constant support throughout the journey, embracing both me and my child. It wasn¡¯t long before we exchanged vows and returned to our serving duties, now as a family alongside our precious daughter.


    The Present Moment


    The door to our quarters was forcefully flung open. I instinctively rose to my feet, assuming a defensive stance. Two guards barged in, gripping my arms tightly.


    ¡°What is the meaning of this? Let me go!¡± I demanded, but my pleas fell on deaf ears as they forcefully pulled me downstairs.


    ¡°There she is,¡± Remus dered, rising from the couch. The guards callously released their hold on me, causing me to crash onto the floor. Henr¨¬ swiftly came to my aid, helping me back on my feet.


    ¡°Monsieur, please, allow us to leave. We have faithfully served you for countless years,¡± Henri pleaded while Remus observed us from his seat, casually crossing his legs.


    ¡°So?¡± he inquired, resting his chin on his hand. My teeth ground together as I witnessed him regard us as mere ythings.


    ¡°I have fulfilled every demand you made, serving you faithfully and fending your secrets,¡± I retorted through clenched teeth.


    He smirked and rose from his seat, leisurely approaching us.


    ¡°You see, dear Emilia, I am not indebted to you for these actions,¡± he chuckled as though finding amusement in our dilemma.


    ¡°As your alpha and master, your duty is to fulfil my desires. Pleasing me falls squarely within your responsibilities,¡± he dered, spreading his arms wide.


    I red at him, my eyes sharp as daggers, brimming with anger.


    ¡°But you owe it to your daughter. Cercei has already endured enough. She deserves to live her life!¡± I spat, my words fueled by a mix of anger and sorrow. Henr¨¬ stood by my side, gripping my shoulders firmly.


    ¡°What on earth are you talking about? She¡¯s doing just fine!¡± heughed dismissively. I balled my hand into a fist, watching with a seething rage as the devil before me, attempting to gaslight and distort reality.


    ¡°Please, Monsieur, grant us our freedom,¡± I begged, tears glistening in my eyes. Desperation for a better life consumed me entirely.


    He moved closer, his hand gripping my chin, and I instinctively raised my hand to wipe away the tears on my cheek. I saw the disturbing smile etched across his face as he exhaled a puff of smoke from his cigarette.


    ¡°If you leave me, there will be no more fun,¡± he remarked, his words dripping with malicious intent.


    Enraged and triggered, Henr¨¬ forcefully removed Monsieur¡¯s hand from my face. The smile on Remus¡¯ face faded as his gaze shifted to my husband. Overwhelmed by fear, I instinctively moved to shield Henr¨¬ with my body, but Remus forcefully pushed me to the floor.


    ¡°You seem to have forgotten your ce,¡± he sneered, taking onest drag from his cigarette before tossing it aside.


    ¡°Nevery a hand on my wife again,¡± Henr¨¬¡¯s voice resonated with authority, his words slow and deliberate, thoroughly enraging Monsieur.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Monsieur¡¯s smile vanished, reced by a cold and humourless expression.


    ¡°Do not touch my wife,¡± Henr¨¬ repeated, cing particr emphasis on thest two words.


    I let out a piercing scream as Monsieur seized Henr¨¬ by the cor and flung him across the room. The force of the impact shattered a towering vase. Henr¨¬ rose to his feet, audibly cracking his neck. I shook my head in disbelief.


    ¡°Henr¨¬, please stop!¡± I cried out, my voiceced with anguish and distress. Tears streamed down my face, my pleas falling on deaf ears. The guards stood motionless, unmoved, and with no intention of intervening.


    Henr¨¬ transformed into his wolf form in a surge of crude fury as he growled menacingly.


    Remus merely chuckled in response.


    ¡°Ah, it seems I¡¯ve discovered your jealous side, amigo,¡± he taunted, tilting his head before shifting into his wolf form. Fear engulfed me entirely as I trembled in the face of this sudden confrontation. I screamed at Henr¨¬, begging him to halt his reckless charge, but his anger blinded him.


    Henr¨¬ could not possibly emerge victorious from this sh. Remus, a descendant of a long line of alphas, held a leadership position for a reason.


    Henr¨¬ lunged at him, ws and fangs poised for attack, his deeply rooted rage granting him a surge of strength. Yet, it was not enough to match that of an alpha.


    ¡°No, no!¡± I wailed. My heart was breaking. Remus¡¯s fangs sank deep into Henr¨¬¡¯s neck. Weakened and defenceless, Henr¨¬ still fought to stand, struggling against the remnants of his fading life.


    ¡°Remus, please,¡± I begged from the floor, my voiceced with anguish.


    ¡°Stop! Please, stop!¡± I continued to cry out, my pleas falling on indifferent ears.


    Henr¨¬ copsed. I rushed to his side, sping his hand as he choked on his own blood. His body bore countless wounds, blood seeping through his fingers. All I could do was weep as the love of my life slipped through my trembling grasp.


    Remus seized him by the neck, lifting him mid-air.


    ¡°Monsieur, I beg you, please stop!¡± I pleaded desperately, struggling against the guards who held me back, preventing me from intervening.


    ¡°Do not dictate my actions!¡± Monsieur thundered.


    My stomach sank along with my shattered heart as Remus tore out Henr¨¬¡¯s heart with his razor-sharp ws. The sound of Henr¨¬sst cry echoed in my ears, rendering me momentarily deaf. Time seemed toe to a halt as Henr¨¬¡¯s lifeless body crumpled to the ground.


    I stood frozen, rooted in ce, utterly incapable ofprehending the magnitude of the horrors that had unfolded before me.

 Chapter 29: Out Of Hell

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Just like d¨¦j¨¤ vu, following that fateful night, we were once again expelled from the grand mansion, this time, it¡¯s permanent.


    Vienna refused to let us retrieve any of our belongings; the guards callously dragged us out, throwing us onto the cold street with nothing but bloodied wounds.


    As if matters couldn¡¯t deteriorate further, the heavens opened up, drenching us in relentless rain. We stood there, soaked and disheartened, in the middle of the bustling streets. My mother wept, repeating her apologies for the umpteenth time, while I stared nkly at the expanse of the sky above.


    At this moment, I found myself incapable of shedding tears; my emotional reservoir had run dry. Exhaustion consumed me, preventing the expression of any sentiment. I had finallye to ept my unfortunate fate-a curse from the heavens, denying me the privilege of happiness.


    I spent my whole life longing to break free from that mansion. However, now that I¡¯ve finally achieved my freedom, I can¡¯t seem to find any happiness, not even a small amount. Maybe things would be different if the circumstances were changed or if my father were still here with us.


    My father used to tell me fascinating stories about the vastness of the world, emphasising that life stretched far beyond the suffocating walls and imposing gates beyond that mansion. Finally, after being imprisoned for eighteen long years, I took my first step into the outside world.


    In our desperate search for shelter,  we carefully examined our surroundings, hoping to find even a hint offort-a sheltering tree, a modest ce, yet nothing came into view. The harsh cold mercilessly prated our shivering bodies, amplifying the pain of our injuries. As wolves, we possess the natural ability to heal, but the healing process for these deep cuts and bites would require considerable time to recover.


    Pity overwhelmed me as I observed my mother in such a state, but I struggled to summon the words tofort her. Both of us sat in lonely silence on the roadside, awaiting the end of the storm. She did not attempt to coerce me into conversation or draw near; instead, she remained huddled, weeping, and seeking relief within her own embrace.


    The night felt never-ending, dragging on at a slow and tiresome pace. However, even in the deepest darkness, the sun eventually emerges. When I woke up, I found myself nestled in my mother¡¯sp,pletely unaware that sleep had ovee me.


    When she noticed that I had awakened, a faint smile appeared on her face, though it carried a tinge of sadness. Her eyes remained swollen from all the tears she had shed. I didn¡¯t say anything in response; instead, I rose to my feet andposed myself.


    ¡°Come on,¡± she urged, standing up and leading the way.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked, curious about our destination.


    ¡°I think I know a ce,¡± she replied with a glimmer of hope.


    I followed her as she veered off the busy street and entered the peaceful woods. I scanned our surroundings, concerned that someone might be following us.


    After everything that had happened, I knew Vienna wouldn¡¯t be satisfied with simply kicking us out. She had a vindictive nature and would go to great lengths to make our lives even more miserable than they were in the mansion.


    Monsieur, too, had always kept a close eye on my mother and me. At first, I thought it was just his cruelty, but after Vienna¡¯s revtionsst night, I began to see his possessiveness in a new light.


    However, I¡¯m not entirely sure. Despite my anger towards my mother, I have too much respect for her to believe she¡¯s Monsieur¡¯s mistress. I know she loved my father deeply, and his death shattered her. So, I¡¯m confused.


    I¡¯ve already spent a lot of time asking questions, but it always leads to being ignored or causing trouble. I wasn¡¯t in the mood to deal with it either, so I chose to remain silent. If my mother wanted to talk, she would have, but she didn¡¯t.


    We¡¯ve been given a chance to start over, and I don¡¯t want to ruin it. I¡¯m unsure if this is one of Vienna¡¯s tricks or something else entirely, but I¡¯ll make the most of it. I¡¯ve endured a lot of hardship in my life, and now I can¡¯t tell if this is heaven or another form of suffering.


    My feet are already hurting from an hour of walking, and I¡¯m thirsty and hungry. I¡¯m too weak to take another step.


    ¡°Cercei, just a little farther,¡± my mother encouraged, noticing my fatigue and urging me to keep going.


    My legs finally gave out, and I copsed onto my knees. Without hesitation, my mother hurried to my side, offering her support and helping me regain my footing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I murmured weakly, overwhelmed by exhaustion.


    ¡°Shh, it¡¯s okay,¡± she reassured me, her voice filled with determination. ¡°We can do this.¡± She helped me rise with care, guiding my arms around her shoulders to share the burden.


    Together, we arrived at an unexpected sight-a train track cutting through a quiet field.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± I asked, puzzled by our surroundings, as she positioned me to the side.


    ¡°When I give the signal, we must jump together,¡± she exined, a mix of concern and eagerness in her voice.


    ¡°What?¡± I eximed, perplexed by her words. What did she mean by jumping?


    ¡°The ce I know is three towns away, and we need to catch a train,¡± she rified, a sense of urgency underlying her words.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have money, so we¡¯ll have to do it this way, alright?¡± Despite my lingering confusion, I nodded, surrendering to the reality of our situation. I had no idea if I had the strength to jump-I could barely manage to walk.


    Although I longed to transform and hunt, the fear of missing the train kept me in check. Instead, we sat on the side, waiting. Exhaustion eventually overcame me, and I drifted off to sleep, only to be jolted awake by the thunderous noise of the approaching train.


    Quickly, Mam¨¤ instructed me to hide in the surrounding bushes, ensuring we remained unseen. The train roared past, its doors mostly closed, limiting our options for boarding.


    ¡°There!¡± she pointed, indicating thest openpartment. We rushed towards it without hesitation, fear gripping my heart, yet I implicitly trusted my mother¡¯s guidance.


    ¡°Come on!¡± she shouted, her words nearly drowned by the train¡¯s loud engine noise.


    ¡°One, two, jump!¡± My eyes widened as I miscalcted my leap, convinced I would fall short. Bracing myself for impact, I closed my eyes, only to feel my mother¡¯s firm grip on my hand.


    Half of my body dangled outside the train, while my lower half remained inside. With a swift pull, my mother yanked me into thepartment and closed the door behind us. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as my entire body was safely aboard. It had been a harrowing experience.


    My motherughed. Her relief was evident as she embraced me tightly.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°We made it!¡± she eximed while I struggled to catch my breath, still recovering from the intense adrenaline rush.


    Taking in our surroundings, I noticed numerous boxes inside thepartment. My mother scanned them and began opening each one, revealing an assortment of fresh fruits, eggs, and live chickens. She selected a chicken and handed it to me.


    ¡°You need strength; it¡¯s been a while since you hunted,¡± she exined. I epted the chicken from her outstretched hand, and with a nod of encouragement, she urged me to eat it. I took a deep breath, preparing myself, before sinking my fangs deep into the chicken¡¯s body. Like the wild creature I am, I devoured it hungrily, replenishing my strength.


    Though the chickens didn¡¯t fully satiate our hunger, their abundance allowed us to satisfy our immediate needs. We ate until our hunger was quelled.


    Feeling content and grateful, I drifted off to sleep, knowing that a fresh chapter of our journey would unfold before us when I woke up.

 Chapter 30: Aunt Melanie

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Hey, wake up,¡± Mam¨¤ gently shook me, stirring me from my sleep. I rubbed my weary eyes and let out a sleepy yawn.


    ¡°Are we there yet?¡± I mumbled, still groggy and half-asleep.


    She disregarded my question and focused on the peephole.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there, sweetheart. We need to find a ce to hide,¡± she whispered urgently, searching our surroundings for a suitable spot.


    ¡°No,¡± I immediately protested when she looked towards the box where the chickens used to be. We had eaten all of them, leaving nothing but poop and feathers behind.


    ¡°If someone spots us, we¡¯ll end up in jail, and Monsieur will bail us out, only to drag us back to that mansion. Before we know it, you¡¯ll be back to scrubbing floors.¡±


    I let out a resigned sigh.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    The chicken box was far from spacious orfortable, not to mention the overpowering stench it emitted. I had to pinch my nose and hold my breath to endure it.


    As the train came to a stop, Mam¨¤ ced her index finger against her lips, silently urging me to stay quiet. We strained our ears, listening intently as the door squeaked open. I pressed my lips tightly together and squeezed my eyes shut, my heart pounding in my chest like a thunderous drumbeat.


    I cautiously opened one eye, peering through a small hole in the chicken box. These holes, originally meant for venttion, luckily concealed our presence. My gaze focused on two men unloading the cargo.


    Box after box was removed until only ours remained. I nced at my mother, sensing her fear, but she met my gaze, silently assuring me.


    One of the men attempted to lift our box but struggled due to its weight.


    ¡°Hey, give me a hand here, man,¡± he called out to his partner. Though both men were strong, our box was far from lightweight, especially since my mother and I were inside.


    ¡°These chickens must have been well-fed,¡± he chuckled, noticing the heaviness. I held my breath, making sure not to make a sound.


    With effort, they carried us out and ced us among the other boxes.


    As soon as the men left, we quietly opened the box door and hurriedly fled the scene. Mam¨¤ gripped my hand as we ran, putting as much distance as possible between us and that ce.


    Finally, we paused to catch our breath. It was then that I realised we were in the heart of the city. I looked around, amazed by the bustling crowds in their fancy attire and the towering skyscrapers that stretched towards the sky. A smile spread across my face. Could it be real? Was I truly here?


    Laughter erupted between my mother and me as we exchanged nces. For the first time in eighteen years, what had only existed in movies, magazines, and books was now my reality. I stood in the vibrant town square, my senses overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.


    Overwhelmed with joy, my mother embraced me tightly, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks. I hugged her back, cherishing the moment. People around us cast curious nces, perhaps finding our dishevelled appearance and grime-covered clothes weird. However, their curious gazes couldn¡¯t dampen our spirits.


    Gently, my mother brushed away a tear from my cheek and emitted a soft chuckle.


    ¡°Come on,¡± she said, squeezing my hand and leading me forward.


    We reached a weathered building, standing three stories tall, evoking an aura of age and history. A quaint caf¨¦ upied the ground floor, while the purpose of the second floor remained uncertain, though mannequins and glimpses of garments hinted it was a tailoring shop.


    Upon opening the door, the sound of tinkling bells announced our arrival. There were only a few customers, and I felt relieved that only a few pairs of judgmental eyes nced our way, causing a twinge of self-consciousness. I nced at my mother, yet she appeared pretty unbothered.


    Her gaze locked onto a particr figure behind the counter. Her face was illuminated with anticipation while thedy she was looking at seemed taken aback, as if she had seen a ghost, dropping the item she held before cautiously approaching us.


    In a state of astonishment and confusion, she extended her hands, cradling my mother¡¯s face, their eyes locked in a profound gaze. Tears streamed down Mam¨¤ cheeks as she reciprocated the woman¡¯s stare.


    Suddenly, thedy pulled my mother into a tight embrace, their tears mingling. Onlookers observed, their expressions a mix of puzzlement and curiosity.


    ¡°Emilia,¡± the woman whispered, gently caressing my mother¡¯s head.


    ¡°Oh, Mnie,¡± Mam¨¤  sobbed.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here. I thought I would never see you again.¡±


    ¡°So do I,¡± my mother responded, gently breaking the hug. The woman¡¯s gaze shifted towards me. Now that I had a clearer view of her, I noticed the unmistakable resemnce between her and my mother.


    She gasped in astonishment upon seeing me. Stepping closer, she gently cupped my cheek, and although I was bewildered, I allowed her touch, standing still in the moment.


    I nced at my mother, tears streaming down her face, as she nodded in confirmation.


    ¡°Is this her?¡± she asked my mother, her eyes fixed on me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Mam¨¤¡¯s voice quivered with emotion. The woman pulled me into another heartfelt hug, leaving me momentarily breathless.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown,¡± she eximed, herughter ringing in the air.


    ¡°And you¡¯re as beautiful as I am,¡± she joked, eliciting a chuckle from my mother and a warm smile from me.


    ¡°Cercei, this is your Auntie Mnie, my sister,¡± Mam¨¤ introduced, revealing a secret I had never known. My eyes widened in surprise. I had never been aware of the existence of an aunt. My mother had always been quiet about her family, no matter how much I had pressed for information.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Auntie,¡± I managed to say, my voice filled with awe, as I embraced her once again.


    ¡°So, how did you¡­ why are you¡­ what¡­?¡± she stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence, clearly overwhelmed by the unexpected reunion.


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± my mother replied, her voice tinged with theplexities of our past.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s start from the beginning,¡± Aunt Mnie urged her, curiosity piqued.


    Upon discovering the existence of Aunt Mnie, whom I had never known before, she graciously provided us with separate rooms. As it turned out, her residence upied the third floor of the building, boasting remarkable views that took my breath away.


    I took a moment to marvel at my own space-a room of my own, a luxury I had never experienced before. A smile formed on my face, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of peace and contentment. Perhaps, in a way, this was my own version of heaven. I closed my eyes, sinking into the warmth of the hot tub, allowing the hot water to wash away any lingering tension.


    However, my mind wandered back to the events that unfolded in the mansion. I knew dwelling on those memories wouldn¡¯t serve any purpose, as they held darkness and pain. However, I acknowledged that those harrowing experiences led us to escape or be outcasted.


    I couldn¡¯t shake the deep-rooted resentment I harboured towards the Crescents. Each and every one of them was responsible for the immense suffering we endured. But among them, Lucian Red ignited a particrly intense hatred inside me. If it weren¡¯t for him, my mother wouldn¡¯t have suffered. His unwanted advances and lingering stares made me nervous, leading to a disastrous spill of a drink. How could he act so casually? Isn¡¯t it enough that he seduced me? He became engaged despite everything that happened between us. I had believed he had either forgotten or simply didn¡¯t care, so why did he suddenly start stirring up my emotions?


    I took a deep breath and realised dwelling on the past wouldn¡¯t relieve me. We had been granted a fresh start here, an opportunity to rebuild our lives. I didn¡¯t want to jinx it. Although our journey began on a rough note, it has concluded on a positive one.


    At least, for now, we are finally free, and I held onto that glimmer of hope.

 Chapter 31: Starting A New Life

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Starting a new life in an unfamiliar world turned out to be more difficult than I expected. I grew up in a mansion where I had to do repetitive chores like cleaning and scrubbing. But in this new ce, there were many different things to do.


    Since we were staying here, it seemed fair for us to help out. Surprisingly, Mam¨¤ started working in the tailoring shop on the second floor. I never knew she could sew. It made me realise that there were things about my mother¡¯s life that I still didn¡¯t know. As for me, I ended up serving customers at the caf¨¦.


    Honestly, I wasn¡¯t very good at it. Luckily, Aunt Mnie was kind and patient, even when I made mistakes like burning bread or serving bad coffee. She let me continue taking orders in the end.


    It wasn¡¯t all bad, though. I did have some previous experience in this kind of work, even if it didn¡¯t go well in the past. Dealing with customers here felt different. They weren¡¯t just guests; they were regr people enjoying a cup of tea and coffee. They didn¡¯t act like snobby rich folks who needed constant attention.


    Back in the mansion, I thought my life was difficult because of Vienna¡¯s childish behavior. I had to endure her silly pranks while working hard and findingfort in a small cabin. I med her for making my life challenging.


    But now I realise that life doesn¡¯t be magically easy just by changing locations. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m grateful to be here. But everything is new and unfamiliar. Interacting with different customers every day, instead of seeing the same faces all the time, is a big change.


    Plus, we¡¯re in a busy city with tall buildings, public transportation, fashionable clothes, and countless people. We must hide our true identities and keep our monstrous nature a secret. We can¡¯t transform or hunt for prey. If we crave flesh, Aunt Mnie has plenty in her refrigerator.


    Despite being out in the wide world, I still feel suffocated. Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m not used to this environment yet.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    In due time, I hope to get morefortable here, just like Aunt Mnie. There are so many opportunities and wonders waiting for us, things I had never even heard of before. I now realise how much I had been missing out on a lot.


    ¡°Good morning. How can I assist you today?¡± I greeted the customer warmly, with a genuine smile, ready to provide excellent service as a diligent waiter.


    I noticed her and realised she appeared to be around my age, exuding confidence simr to Madonna. With her radiant blond hair and beauty mark, she bore a striking resemnce to the iconic singer.


    She slightly raised her sunsses and nced at me, giving me a disapproving look. Her upper lip curled somewhat as if she was offended by my presence.


    Suddenly, I became self-conscious. She was impably dressed, exuding elegance with her confident posture, while she judged me from her towering 6-inch red heels.


    Her eyes moved up and down, assessing my appearance, before she finally spoke. Her voice exuded a certain feminine elegance, apanied by an air of superiority.


    ¡°Je vais prendre un d¨¦ca, s¡¯il vous ?t [I¡¯ll have a decaf, please],¡± she uttered, emphasizing her refined demeanor.


    ¡°Will that be all, Miss?¡± I asked, unaware that my choice of words would unintentionally displease her.


    She raised an eyebrow in response, clearly offended by how I had addressed her.


    ¡°Oui [Yes],¡± she replied in French, reaffirming her order in a tone of detached indifference.


    As I turned away to prepare her order, my forced smile disappeared, reced by genuine disappointment. While she possessed beauty and elegance, there was no need for her unnecessary rudeness.


    A little kindness and courtesy would have cost her so little.


    I pursed my lips as I stood in the kitchen, holding her order. Aunt Mnie couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at my expression.


    ¡°It seems you¡¯ve had the pleasure of meeting Sylvie,¡± she remarked with a knowing smile.


    Sylvie, huh? The name suits her demeanour perfectly.


    ¡°Oui,¡± I yfully mimicked Sylvie¡¯s ent, eliciting another amused chuckle from my aunt.


    ¡°Yes, she does have quite an attitude,¡± Aunt Mnie acknowledged, fully understanding the encounter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Auntie, I¡¯ve encountered worse,¡± I assured her, reflecting on the fact that Sylvie¡¯s attitude paledpared to Vienna¡¯s wickedness.


    ¡°Profitez de votre caf¨¦  [Enjoy your coffee],¡± I greeted Sylvie with a smile as I delicately ced her coffee on the table, attempting to maintain myposure despite her aloofness.


    It had been a week since we were kicked out of the mansion. To my surprise, none of Monsieur¡¯s guards hade looking for us, dragging us back to the suffocating life we once knew. Maybe they have yet to find us, or they¡¯re simply not searching.


    After Vienna had unleashed her pent-up emotions, expressing her deepest resentments, I wondered if Monsieur had finally decided it was time to release us from his grip. With her seething wrath and insatiable thirst for revenge, Vienna might have chosen to leave us be and immerse herself in a life of bliss alongside her fianc¨¦.


    I fervently hoped this was the case, as I had no desire to be thrust back into that nightmarish existence. My thoughts wandered to Maria, my dear friend who had been left behind. If only she were here, she would have enjoyed the vibrant cityscape that surrounded us. She always spoke of big cities like she had lived in one before. Perhaps she had, but before working for the Crescents, her past life remained shrouded in mystery to me.


    I miss her so much, my best friend. It would be easier to adjust if she were here with me. A tear welled up in my eyes, and I sniffed, quickly wiping it away.


    The caf¨¦ closes at ten, but my shift ends at 5, so I often take the opportunity to take a walk. Mam¨¤ doesn¡¯t like me wandering around; she¡¯s always worried that one of Monsieur¡¯s men might snatch me from the streets. Luckily, Aunt Mnie is there to reassure her.


    I also have some money. Aunt Mnie insists on paying me for my work at the caf¨¦. I initially refused, considering all she had already done for us by letting us stay in her home and sharing everything she had. But she insisted, saying that I would need it.


    Currently, I find myself walking along the street, gazing at the various shops. Clothes, food, and makeup, nothing really catches my interest enough to buy. When I first arrived, Aunt Mnie gave me a heap of clothes and makeup. She¡¯s quite the fashion diva herself, and her style is impable.


    I paused when I noticed a pair of homeless children across the street. I went to a nearby bakery, bought them some bread and water, and handed it to them.


    Two of them, a boy and a girl, seemed to be siblings. The boy seemed a bit older, maybe around 10, while the girl appeared to be around 6. The boy thanked me when I gave him the food, and he immediately shared it with his sister. It touched my heart to see them like that.


    ¡°You¡¯re so kind and pretty. Are you a princess?¡± the little girl asked. I chuckled and ruffled her hair.

 Chapter 32: The Wedding鈥檚 Off

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°She and her mother currently live in Dinan, staying with Mnie Debois, her mother¡¯s sister. Mnie is the owner of a building with multiple floors. One floor amodates a tailoring shop, while another serves as a lovely caf¨¦,¡± Frank informed me.


    ¡°How is she doing?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°She¡¯s adjusting,¡± Frank replied.


    After that unfortunate night, she and her mother were forcefully kicked out of the MoonStone mansion.


    The Crescents have been searching extensively for them worldwide, but I carefully misled their pursuit. It was clever of them to move to a nearby town, just three towns away. The Crescents would have expected them to seek refuge in a distant location, maybe even on the other side of the world.


    I called off the wedding. Lord Remus was displeased, especially Vienna. She mes the servant girl, Cercei.


    I thought I had found my true love, my mate. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Frank had every reason to doubt my convictions. On the night she attended to us, I was inexplicably captivated by her presence. Her scent alone sent a shiver down my spine. She felt strangely familiar as if we had crossed paths before.


    And when our hands touched, everything became clear. It had been her all along. The woman from the cave and the woman from the cabin.


    I had foolishly mistaken her for Vienna, as they bear a slight resemnce. However, she has a softer appearance and an aura of innocence that radiates purity.


    With her long, wavy hair, captivating emerald-green eyes, and petite figure, it was truly her. How could I have been so blind as to overlook such an obvious truth and mistakenly assume it was Vienna?


    Rage consumed me, knowing that I was the one who had made the grave mistake, yet Vienna had willingly yed along, never correcting or denying my assumption. She had taken advantage of my foolishness and deceitfully perpetuated the charade.


    When Vienna subjected Ceicie¡¯s mother to mistreatment, the desperate plea in her eyes remained imprinted in my mind. She begged me to intervene, to protect her. Though I understood that I couldn¡¯t interfere easily, at that moment, I was ready to tear the world apart just to fulfil her desires.


    But Lord Remus intervened before I could act, putting an end to the chaos and banishing them from the estate. I instructed my men to stay with them but remain hidden while I stayed behind, breaking the connection I suppose to establish with the Crescent.


    ¡°The wedding is cancelled,¡± I stated with an empty tone.


    Both of them were still reeling from the turmoil. Vienna sat on the couch, her hair dishevelled and her dress stained with blood, though it wasn¡¯t hers.


    As soon as my words hung in the air, her gaze locked onto mine, and she abruptly stood up.


    ¡°Lucian.¡± She called my name hastily.


    ¡°The wedding is off,¡± I repeated. Lord Remus turned his gaze towards me while Vienna shook her head, tears flowing again.


    ¡°My lord, I beg your forgiveness for what happened, but you must carefully consider¡­¡±


    ¡°I no longer wish to marry your daughter, Lord Remus,¡± I dered. His lips tightened, and his expression grew dark with anger.


    ¡°We made a deal,¡± he bellowed.


    ¡°Please, remind me of the specific terms of our arrangement, My Lord,¡± I challenged him, meeting his gaze defiantly.


    ¡°You were to marry my daughter, your mate, and together we would establish a powerful and secure empire,¡± he dered, his conviction unwavering. I couldn¡¯t help but offer a sardonic smile.


    ¡°Ah, you see, the core of the matter lies in your initial statement,¡± I sharply retorted, pacing back and forth, my impatience evident.


    ¡°I will marry my mate, and let me make it clear, it is not your daughter,¡± I stated with utmost seriousness, leaving no room for ambiguity.


    His brows furrowed in offence while Vienna continued to weep. She walked up to her father and huddled in his chest.


    ¡°What? Say that again, if you dare,¡± Lord Remus sneered,  his contempt evident upon hearing my words.


    ¡°She lied to me, pretending to be my mate. She fooled me!¡± I bluntly dered, speaking the painful truth. Vienna couldn¡¯t even meet my gaze.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not my daughter, then who is it?¡± he demanded to know, his voice dripping with contempt.


    ¡°That, My Lord, is no longer any of your concern,¡± I responded coldly, breaking any remaining ties with cruel finality.


    ¡°Thank you for your hospitality, My Lord,¡± I uttered motionlessly before leaving.


    Vienna hurriedly approached me, tears streaming down her face. She tightly clung to my arm. I stood still, unmoved by her actions.


    ¡°Lucian, please don¡¯t do this,¡± she pleaded, embracing me tightly as I remained unresponsive. Lord Remus tried to intervene and separate us.


    ¡°Let me go, Vienna,¡± I demanded, my voice firm. However, she refused to release her grip, her tears soaking my shoulders. Her father¡¯s efforts to pull her away proved futile.


    ¡°No, Dad, no!¡± she wailed, refusing to let me go.


    ¡°Please stay. I¡¯m sorry, it won¡¯t happen again. I promise, let¡¯s get married,¡± she desperately pleaded. Disgusted by her desperation, I forcefully broke free from her hold.


    ¡°Keep some dignity,¡± I stated inly, my voice devoid of emotion.


    ¡°Is it because of her?¡± she shouted at me as I walked away. I chose not to respond, continuing my departure without turning back.


    ¡°You wille back to me, Lucian, I promise you that!¡± she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing in the distance.


    During my brief stay in that mansion, I witnessed the depths of Vienna¡¯s vindictiveness. By calling off the agreement and cancelling the wedding, I disrespected them profoundly and subjected them to intense shame, considering the grand engagement celebration we had once shared.


    People would ask questions, not to mention the family drama they disyed.


    While dealing with all of that, I took the opportunity to investigate and had Forbes follow.


    The Crescents may be upied with media inquiries and concealing their actions, but I know they have people searching for them.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I felt remorseful for everything. I understand that that incident wouldn¡¯t have urred if it weren¡¯t for me. She wouldn¡¯t have spilled anything and attracted anyone¡¯s attention. Her presence caught me off guard, I disrupted her work, and now it¡¯s my fault that they¡¯re homeless.


    Thus, I resolved to ensure her safety, ensuring she remained concealed from Vienna¡¯s attention. Now that I¡¯ve confirmed she¡¯s the one, without any mistake this time, I had her thoroughly investigated. I want to discover every detail of her life.


    It¡¯s not just guilt motivating me to protect her, it¡¯s also instinct. A man must protect his woman no matter what. She¡¯s in the city, enjoying and exploring her life, and I intend to maintain it that way for as long as possible.

 Chapter 33: Got A New Gift From Aunt Melanie

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    My eyes widened in astonishment as Aunt Mnie presented me with a radiant, square object. Could it be? Is this truly what I think it is?


    ¡°I want you to have this,¡± she gently ced the phone in my hands.


    ¡°Auntie,¡± I uttered softly. Although I was captivated by its charm, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to ept any more gifts. She had already showered me so much.


    ¡°Cercei, you need this. In this day and age,munication is paramount, especially since you¡¯re no longer at the mansion. Moreover, it¡¯s essential for your safety,¡± she said, sping my hand and putting the device in my palms.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already given us more than enough.¡±


    ¡°For all the years we missed, it¡¯s barely a fraction,¡± I embraced her warmly. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for everything she had done for me since we moved here. It had always been just me, Mam¨¤, and Pap¨¤, and when Pap¨¤ passed away, it felt as though we were the only ones left in the world.


    I never considered myself materialistic, but receiving these gifts held significant meaning. Aunt Mnie may not possess vast wealth like the Crescents, but she has managed to establish afortable life in the city. Apart from us, she had no family of her own; she had never married nor had children. Before our arrival, she had been alone, tending to her business.


    She cherished our presence as much as we did hers. I couldn¡¯t believe Mam¨¤ had kept her existence a secret from me. It was evident that Aunt Mnie and Mam¨¤ shared a deep bond, their love for each other is real.


    During my lunch break, I decided to take a moment to acquaint myself with the phone. I had noticed that Vienna owned a simr device, often either breaking or upgrading to newer models. On the contrary, neither my parents nor I were permitted to possess one due to our roles as servers.


    How does one even operate this? I gingerly pressed the small button on the side, and the screen sprang to life, illuminating the room. Ah, so that¡¯s how you switch it on.


    When I pressed the button again, the screen turned dark, indicating that the same button could be used to turn the device on or off. Ah, that¡¯s how this one work. I got it.


    I switched on the phone once more, and the screen prompted me to swipe, so I did. Suddenly, an array of small icons adorned the disy: a camera, settings, photos-so many options to explore.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I shrieked as a voice pierced the air from behind me. The shock almost caused me to drop the phone, and I instinctively clutched my chest.


    ¡°Jesus!¡± I eximed, only to realise it was ire, one of the veteran waitresses. She had been working here for quite some time. Her bold tongue and fearless expression of her thoughts reminded me of Maria.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve got a new phone?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°Yeah, but I have no clue how to use it,¡± I admitted, furrowing my brow.


    ¡°Who doesn¡¯t know how to use a phone in this day and age?¡±Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Me?¡± I replied sheepishly.


    She sighed and extended her hand, gesturing for me to pass her the phone. I obliged, and she proceeded to impart some basic knowledge on its usage.


    ¡°So, this is the contacts. You save people¡¯s numbers here to text or call them,¡± she pointed at the icon bearing a telephone logo. I nodded attentively, realising that if I were to remain here, it would be wise to familiarise myself with their way of doing things.


    ¡°Watch closely. I¡¯m going to save my number, and then you can call me,¡± she dered with a confident grin. ire swiftly entered her number and saved it under her name.


    ¡°Now, call me,¡± she gestured towards the phone, and I stared at her with a perplexed expression.


    ¡°Come on, I just taught you this,¡± she urged, a hint of yful impatience in her voice.


    I nced at my phone, trying to recall the steps she had demonstrated. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, I long-pressed ire¡¯s name on the screen and tapped the telephone logo that appeared. Suddenly, a ringing sound emanated from her pockets.


    ¡°Yes!¡± she eximed, beaming at me and raising her hand for a triumphant high five. Phew! It wasn¡¯t as difficult as I had initially thought.


    ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll teach you how to strike a pose for the camera,¡± she giggled.


    ¡°Thank you, ire,¡± I said sincerely, and she responded with a warm smile, lightly tapping my shoulder.


    ¡°By the way, where did youe from? Don¡¯t they have phones there?¡± she inquired, genuine curiosity twinkling in her eyes.


    Aunt Mnie had kept our past a secret, even from her trusted employees. She believed it was for our own safety, in case Monsieur¡¯s men came searching for the two women who had escaped from the mansion.


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t afford one, so I never really learned how to use it,¡± I replied, not entirely a lie but not revealing the entire truth either.


    My mother had always warned me never to fully trust anyone here except Aunt Mnie. After everything we had been through, it made sense. We couldn¡¯t allow betrayal to jeopardise our fresh chance for a better life.


    I felt a twinge of guilt for withholding the truth from ire. She seemed kind and genuine, but our safety came first.


    After the break, we resumed our duties of serving tables. I was growing ustomed to life here and even found myself enjoying it. I had always believed I loved harmony and tranquillity, never expecting to fall in love with the chaotic and bustling city.


    People here led their own lives, and it was a joy to observe them as they went about their day-heading to work, returning home, and pausing for a cup of coffee. They possessed control over their own destinies, free from the burden of concealing a hidden darkness or serving a demanding master.


    Their daily battles revolved around survival-earning a living, nourishing themselves, finding moments of rest, seeking love, and embracing moments of joy.


    Even after weeks of residing in this city, the dazzling lights continued to mesmerise me. I had grown ustomed to nothing more than the gentle glow of the moon and the serenity of the garden. But here, there were bands, singers, and dancers. Families, couples, and a dynamic energy unfolded differently each day.


    Every day held the promise of something new, a stark contrast to the repetitive routine I had experienced for the past 18 years.


    ¡°This ce is incredible,¡± I said to ire as we sat together on a bench by thekeside. It was one of the most frequented spots, bustling with people enjoying its beauty.


    ¡°Wait until you see what Christmas is like,¡± she replied, a glint of excitement in her eyes. Christmas was my favourite time of the year. Despite growing up in such an environment, Pap¨¤ had always managed to make it special for me.


    I couldn¡¯t fathom Christmas without him.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked, noticing the sadness that flooded over my face.


    ¡°Nothing, I just miss my Pap¨¤,¡± I confessed.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°Gone,¡± I replied softly, sensing herpassionate gaze on me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± her voice carried a tinge of empathy.


    I smiled and shifted the conversation, determined to lift the mood. ¡°You have to show me around during Christmas,¡± I uttered in a joyous tone. Sheughed and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°I promise you. You¡¯re going to love it.¡±


    And at this moment, I realised that perhaps I already did.

 Chapter 34: She The Missing Puzzle Piece

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°The MoonStone pack takes great offence, My Lord, as rumours circte about the King in the North¡¯s inability to uphold his word,¡± I contemted, gently brushing my lips with a finger, engrossed in the discourse of my esteemed council.


    ¡°What word might that be?¡± I inquired, my gaze fixed on Lord Dandaario.


    ¡°The promise of a matrimonial union,¡± Lord Dandaario divulged.


    ¡°I had pledged a marriage between myself and my mate,¡± I dered with firm intent, making them understand if it hadn¡¯t been abundantly clear to them.


    ¡°Vienna wasn¡¯t my mate. I made a mistake in my judgement, and she tricked me. I, alone, should be wreaking havoc,¡± my patience dwindled, and I took a deep breath as my temples throbbed. The room fell into an uneasy silence as my council members awkwardly sipped their wine while I tenderly massaged my temples.


    ¡°ording to my sources,¡± Lord Ferell interjected, ¡°Lord Remus and Lord Danbury Fell are establishing amicable rtions. The Crescents have offered themnd in the west in exchange for resources.¡±


    ¡°Both packs share a brick-wall hatred towards us, My Lord. In the worst-case scenario, they might join forces, presenting a formidable threat,¡± cautioned one of my council members.


    ¡°This is an untimely moment for warfare, My Lord. Winter is drawing near, and you are still in pursuit of your mate,¡± another council member asserted, and I silently absorbed their words, allowing them to permeate my thoughts.


    Undoubtedly, an alliance between the two packs poses an undeniable threat that cannot be disregarded. Lord Danbury Fell possesses significant influence and connections in the South, while Lord Remus is no less dangerous.


    I am well aware that I gravely offended Lord Remus by calling off the wedding, and it is a great shame, especially considering the disappointment it brought to the numerous guests. Lord Danbury, too, had a valid reason to align with them as they sought to establish a home within our northernnds. However, they crept beyond our borders, necessitating forceful expulsion.


    ¡°Even in the face of theirbined power, we possess a promising chance of emerging victorious,¡± Lord Von confidently stated, breaking the silence with his assurance.


    ¡°Lord Von, are you genuinely considering plunging us into war?¡± Lord Dandaario questioned him with a hint of slight anger.


    ¡°I am contemting all that merits consideration,¡± Lord Von responded, his tone reflecting a stubborn conclusion.


    ¡°A war has never yielded anything positive!¡± Lord Dandaario vehemently argued.


    ¡°That may be true, but it does not mean we should dismiss the possibility altogether,¡± Lord Von countered.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°We must do everything in our power to avoid it,¡± Lord Dandaario insisted, his voice filled with urgency.


    I rubbed my temples, trying to alleviate the pounding headache induced by the escting exchange between these men. Despite my best efforts to concentrate, my mind wandered elsewhere.


    ¡°And you want us to just submit to them? Is that how little confidence you have in our abilities?¡± Lord Ferell interjected immediately, raising his voice.


    ¡°Gentlemen, I beg you,¡± Frank interposed, attempting to diffuse the mounting tension.


    ¡°There is no disgrace in desiring peace,¡± Lord Dandaario snapped at Lord Ferell instantly.


    ¡°We currently have peace; whether they choose to disrupt it or not is entirely up to them!¡± Lord Vonshed out.


    ¡°Leave,¡± I uttered icily, halting the squabbling Lords in their tracks. Their gazes fixed on me.


    Eventually, with resigned sighs, they acquiesced and departed. I leaned heavily against the table, closing my eyes while pressing my hand to my forehead. However, before departing, Lord Dandaario approached me, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Think it through, Lucian. Peace can be restored with careful consideration,¡± he advised earnestly before exiting the room.


    Each of them had valid points to ponder. Yet, if the other packs were to take action, I refused to remain idle. I couldn¡¯t simply wash my hands of the situation and feign innocence. I bore a significant responsibility for this rough state of affairs when viewed from a certain perspective.


    I did what I deemed necessary. Although I may have harmed them, I doubted they would immediately turn to war. They would surely desire revenge, and I was well aware of the vengeful ideas swirling in their minds.


    ¡°How is she?¡± I inquired of Frank, who stood at my side.


    ¡°She is coping well in the city,¡± he informed me, bringing a small measure of relief.


    ¡°And what about the Crescent¡¯s men?¡± I queried further.


    ¡°I made sure they were misled,¡± he reassured me.


    As much as I yearned to bring her here and offer her my protection, I understood how deeply she resented me at this time. She likely held me responsible for the events that urred, and I empathised with her sentiment. The night of passionate recklessness haunted me-the night I had shared her bed only to beter engaged to another. I could hardly fathom the magnitude of emotions she experienced. It was her first intimate encounter with a man. Although we harboured no romantic feelings for one another, I knew she felt neglected and insulted by my engagement announcement.


    ¡°I am going to Dinan,¡± I dered, meeting Frank¡¯s gaze seriously.


    ¡°I want you to stand in for me during my absence,¡± I instructed firmly.


    ¡°Sire¡­¡± Frank began, his voice tinged with concern.


    ¡°I must exin myself to her,¡± I asserted, feeling an overwhelming need to bridge the chasm between us. She couldn¡¯t continue hating me.


    ¡°But she despises you now,¡± Frank countered, voicing the harsh truth.


    ¡°Which is precisely why I must go,¡± I responded, conviction strengthening my willpower.


    ¡°Come now, Frank,¡± I said when I saw his disapproving expression.


    He sighed in resignation, understanding that his insistence would be useless.


    ¡°No actions are to be taken without my consent. Ensure their loyalty remains abiding,¡± Imanded, knowing I couldn¡¯t make sound decisions while she consumed my thoughts.


    I would be by her side, regardless of her consent.


    Besides, Frank can handle everything while I¡¯m away. I hadplete trust in Frank¡¯s ability.


    Moreover, if Lord Remus and Vienna dared to seek revenge against her, I would unleash chaos against them, burning them to ashes. Her safety will forever remain my main concern.


    ¡°She is thriving, you know,¡± Frank suddenly remarked, attempting to diffuse my worries.


    I turned to him, my gaze intent.


    ¡°Do you really want to disturb her new happiness?¡± Frank added.


    I felt a twinge of offence, causing my brows to furrow. However, I sighed, acknowledging the validity of his cautious reminder. As much as I understood the situation, I couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that this was her first experience of stepping beyond the terrain of the mansion and embracing a life of her own.


    After finding that she was my true mate, everything made sense. It exined the absence of deep excitement whenever I was in Vienna¡¯s presence. At first, I believed that the exceptional nature of that night was merely a result of the heat, and for a brief moment, I didn¡¯t consider the possibility of being mistaken.


    It was her-the missing puzzle piece. And I vowed never to let her slip away from my sight again, not after learning the hardships she had endured.


    I had to be with her, even if she might harbour reservations about it. I would gradually reveal my true self to her, no matter how long it took, even if the world around us crumbled to ashes.


    All that mattered now was for her to know me andpletely trust me. Nothing else held significance.

 Chapter 35: Why Is He Here?

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Large, quad, non-fat, one-pump, no-cream, chocte-infused coffee,¡± uttered the customer, dripping with sass.


    ¡°Will that be everything, Miss?¡± I inquired, carefully jotting down her specific order. She wasn¡¯t gazing in my direction, fixated on her phone, seemingly disinterested in my presence.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± she retorted, rolling her eyes dismissively.


    ¡°Coming right up,¡± I replied, offering a friendly smile. After all my time working here, I¡¯vee to understand that most individuals can be rather impolite, especially in the morning, until they¡¯ve had their much-needed dose of caffeine.


    ¡°What an unpleasant person,¡± iremented as I approached the counter with the order. It seemed she had been observing the previous interaction. I chuckled softly.


    ¡°Yes, quite,¡± I concurred, affirming ire¡¯s observation.


    I handed over the woman¡¯s order, causing her eyebrows to knit together and her face to contort in displeasure upon reading it.


    ¡°Are we running a Starbucks here?¡± she scoffed in annoyance.


    ¡°What¡¯s Starbucks?¡± I curiously inquired.


    ¡°Nevermind,¡± she muttered, proceeding to prepare the customer¡¯s intricate drink. Today was a Wednesday morning, and the caf¨¦ had yet to experience the bustling rush of customers, granting us a slightly calmer atmosphere.


    As I stood by the counter, patiently waiting for ire toplete the coffee order, the jingling of the bell caught my attention, signifying the entrance of a new visitor.


    A tall and slender figure, d in ck jeans and a simple white shirt, strode through the door. My jaw dropped as I recognized him. My heart suddenly races, it¡¯s thumping almost overpowering my own hearing.


    Our eyes met, and my entire body seemed to seize up at this moment. I must have appeared as if I had seen a ghost, but in contrast, he showed no surprise. He leisurely took his time selecting a seat.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d definitely hit that,¡± ire¡¯s voice startled me, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. She, too, had been captivated by Lucian¡¯s presence the entire time.


    ¡°Here,¡± she handed me the woman¡¯s order, and I swiftly grabbed it, making my way to the nearby table, which was inconveniently close to him.


    ¡°Miss, here¡¯s your order. Enjoy your coffee,¡± I managed to utter, devoid of any semnce of a smile. I could sense the weight of Lucian¡¯s gaze bearing down on me from behind.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she responded sweetly, elegantly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Evidently, her facade of kindness stemmed from the god-like man next to us. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.


    Clenching my teeth, I approached him. Despite the trembling nerves coursing through my body due to a mixture of nervousness and boiling anger, I mustered the courage to confront him directly.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I questioned him directly, and my voice tinged with frustration. He didn¡¯t even spare me a nce, his eyes firmly fixed on the menu, diligently reading each and every word.


    ¡°Can I have this?¡± he pointed casually at a seemingly random word. My brows furrowed in confusion as he directed my attention to an image of a pancake te garnished with colourful sprinkles in the menu option.


    ¡°What on earth are you doing here?¡± I repeated, making a concerted effort to maintain myposure and avoid causing a scene in my aunt¡¯s caf¨¦. Besides, my mother was upstairs engrossed in her sewing.


    ¡°To have a meal, obviously,¡± he responded, as though it were the most self-evident thing in the world. Unbeknownst to me, my grip on the notepad had tightened, crumpling its pages.


    ¡°Are you here to kill me?¡± I blurted out, my anger seeping through despite my attempts to conceal it.


    ¡°What?¡± He appeared taken aback and utterly bewildered.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Or perhaps you¡¯re here to deliver me into the hands of your wife?¡± I could no longer contain my anger, its fiery presence now fully exposed.


    ¡°What wife?¡± he eximed, his expression reflecting a mix of shock and confusion.


    I exhaled sharply, frustrated by his pretense.


    ¡°Look, I have no desire to make a scene. I came here simply to enjoy a meal,¡± he asserted, raising his hands slightly in a cating gesture.


    Annoyed, I closed my eyes briefly and turned my back to him.


    ¡°Do you know him?¡± ire interjected, pointing towards Lucian, who was intently observing me.


    ¡°No!¡± I snapped, my responseced with irritation.


    ¡°Okay,¡± she trailed off, giving a half-hearted agreement. I handed her his order, my gaze fixed on him, shooting daggers from my eyes. He didn¡¯t even bother to look back at me, feigning interest in an upside-down magazine.


    Why was he here? Was he nning to drag us back to that wretched mansion? I scanned the surroundings, but I didn¡¯t spot any men apanying him. He was alone, appearing rather casual. But I couldn¡¯t be deceived; this was undoubtedly part of his vicious scheme. I had grown to love my life here on Dinan, and I refused to let him yank me back into that hellish mansion. I would rather face his wrath, even if it meant my demise.


    But what about my mother? Did he know she was here too? How did he even find out where I was in the beginning? I couldn¡¯t fully believe his im that he stumbled on this particr coffee shop among countless others worldwide. Moreover, he practically belonged to the royal family. Why would his refined taste buds crave a humble local coffee rather than the world-ss beans that grew atop Everest or some other exotic location?


    Had he been following me? My mother had already endured so much, and she was gradually healing since our arrival here. I couldn¡¯t allow him to shatter that progress. Not a chance. He could break me all he wanted, but I would not allow him to touch my mother.


    cing his te of sprinkled pancakes on his table with a deliberate force, I swore it nearly shattered on impact.


    ¡°Thank you for your incredibly kind service,¡± he said sarcastically. I bit my tongue in frustration. Surely Aunt Mnie wouldn¡¯t mind if I punched a customer, would she?


    ¡°I hope you choke on your food. Have a splendid day,¡± I mustered a smile that concealed my seething anger.


    Returning to the counter with a scowl etched on my face, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder. Hadn¡¯t he already ruined my life? He had taken my innocence, expelled us from that hell mansion, and now he sat here in my aunt¡¯s caf¨¦, leisurely consuming pancakes as if the world wasn¡¯t crumbling around us.


    What was he up to? How could he im to be the King in the North when he wasn¡¯t even in the North? The self-proimed monarch of pancakes.


    ¡°Why do I get the feeling that you know him?¡± ire¡¯s words cut through my thoughts.


    ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± I retorted, wiping the already spotless counter, my actions mirroring my agitation.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been ring at him as if you¡¯re plotting his demise in your mind.¡±


    Oh, believe me, I am. I yearned to voice those words, but I refrained.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I shrugged dismissively.


    I may trust ire to an extent, and she had proven herself reliable in the brief time we had spent together. However, I couldn¡¯t drag her into my chaotic world. She was human, vulnerable. Besides, my mother had always cautioned me against cing trust in anyone.


    ¡°If you say so,¡± she chimed in a sing-song voice before leaving me to my own thoughts.


    I sighed, weary of keeping my secrets from my friends. But if it meant protecting them, I would willingly steer this ocean of darkness alone.

 Chapter 36: Why Is He Here?

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Lucian had been frequenting the caf¨¦ for three consecutive days, consistently ordering the same food and coffee. The peculiar nature of his visits perplexed me. Was he merely keeping a watchful eye on me, spying on me, or perhaps intent on disrupting my day?


    He neverpelled me to engage in conversation, at least not about the events that had happened. Nevertheless, his eyes remained fixed on me each day. He would arrive in the morning, depart briefly, return at three in the afternoon, and then exit as the shop closed its doors.


    Apanied by hisptop, he would asionally attend to phone calls. ire, my ever-observant coworker, spected that he harboured a romantic interest in me.


    ¡°He¡¯s beening here for three consecutive days, unable to divert his gaze from you,¡± she remarked.


    I merely shook my head, silently pondering the depths of Lucian¡¯s intentions. If only ire knew the truth.


    ¡°He¡¯s looking at you right now, oh my goodness,¡± she eximed in a hushed voice. I caught Lucian¡¯s gaze, causing my heart to race in my chest.


    Swiftly, his attention shifted elsewhere, and ire melted beside me, her excitement barely contained within whispered breaths.


    ¡°You should definitely ask him out,¡± she suggested, unaware of my true desires. In reality, I longed for him to leave my life entirely.


    ¡°I¡¯m finished here,¡± I dered, removing my apron and opening my locker in the staff room. I swiftly changed my attire.


    Usually, my schedule at the caf¨¦ spanned from Monday to Thursday. However, I opted for half-day shifts on Fridays, particrly when the establishment bustled with activity. Today happened to be Friday, and I craved an early out.


    During my days off, I typically don¡¯t engage in much activity. Usually, I retreat to thefort of my room and indulge in some television watching or other leisurely pursuits. However, an unusual desire for a leisurely stroll had overtaken me today. Making my way through the kitchen, I opted to exit through the back door.


    Walking alone still stirred a sense of dread inside me. This ce and its habitants were unfamiliar territory. While I possessed the strength to ovee any human threat, I couldn¡¯t always be certain that I was dealing with a mere mortal.


    Aunt Mnie had enlightened me about the presence of other wolves who had chosen to settle in this city, much like herself. As I crossed the concrete streets, dwarfed by towering buildings, an undeniable longing for the forest overwhelmed me. It seemed rare to encounter a tree or a hint of greenery in this urbanndscape.


    I decided to head towards the mall. It wasn¡¯t my first visit; Aunt Mnie had taken me here once before. I recalled my astonishment at the esctors and the many stores that decked its corridors, offering an array of clothing, food, and bustling crowds.


    Observing families bonding and children joyfully frolicking around, I found pleasure in witnessing these scenes. The salespeople wore their finest attire and vied for the attention of passersby. It amazed me to witness people living such vibrant lives while I had spent countless years confined within the walls of a mansion, scrubbing floors.


    Unbeknownst to me, I had unknowingly wandered into a makeup store. A stunningdy, d in a fashionable skirt and graceful heels, approached me. Her wless makeup entuated her features, indicating that she likely worked at the store.


    Introducing herself, she eagerly began suggesting an assortment of beauty products.


    ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯m not particrly well-versed in their usage,¡± I responded, admitting myck of familiarity.


    My Mam¨¤ did possess makeup, and I often caught glimpses of her wearing it, as Monsieur had instructed her to do so. However, as a servant, I was strictly forbidden from wearing any form of cosmetics. The only exception seemed to be Vienna, who freely paraded through the mansion with an array of vibrant hues painted on her face.


    Stepping into this makeup store made me feel like a primitive creature, utterly detached from the modern world. I sensed the silent judgement emanating from thedy who had approached me earlier. But I wasn¡¯t bothered by it. Honestly, I would also be confused to see a woman entering a makeup store and saying she doesn¡¯t know how to use the products.


    I continued to stroll around, merely exploring the products out of sheer curiosity. Throughout my upbringing, I would often inquire about makeup from my mother, only to receive the response that beauty could sometimes be burdensome.


    I couldn¡¯t help but be fascinated by the wide array of lipstick shades that beautifully decorated the disy. The stall was covered with an extensive selection of shades, showcasing a surprising variety of reds and pinks that I never knew existed.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Lipstick, I did understand. It was applied to the lips to add a ssh of colour. ire, Aunt Mnie, and numerous female patrons at the caf¨¦ wore it regrly.


    ¡°This shade would suit you well, Miss,¡± another salesperson chimed in, presenting me with a warm-toned pink lipstick. She wore an infectious smile, exuding an air of friendliness.


    Though hesitant, I epted the offer. She offered to apply it for me, but I had already made up my mind that I would purchase it. After all, trying it wouldn¡¯t hurt. Many people wore lipstick; it was amonce practice.


    Following my stroll through the mall, I returned home. My feet ached from hours of standing at the caf¨¦ and crossing the expansive corridors of the shopping center.


    Mam¨¤ and Aunt Mnie were engrossed in a movie as I entered the living room. Their gazes shifted towards me as the door creaked open.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Mam¨¤ greeted, and I made my way over to her, nting a kiss on her cheek, followed by one for Aunt Mnie.


    ¡°Where have you been?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°At the mall,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re having a good time, huh?¡± she yfully teased, a mischievous glint in her eye. I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°You should join in, too,¡± Aunt Mnie chimed in. Mam¨¤ simply nced at her, making a funny face in response. I chuckled at their banter.


    ¡°I need to freshen up,¡± I announced, waving my hand dismissively as I turned to go to my room.


    ¡°Dinner is in the fridge. Just heat it up,¡± Mam¨¤¡¯s voice trailed after me. I nodded in acknowledgment before closing the door behind me.


    Once inside my room, my gaze immediately fell on the mirror. I was itching to try out the new lipstick. With gentle precision, I applied it to my lips. Thedy at the store had been right. It looked good. The colour matched my skin tone, and I yfully pinched my cheek to add a touch of rosiness.


    I stared at my reflection in the mirror, contemting whether he liked the colour pink. The sudden realisation of my own thoughts caused me to pinch myself mentally. Why on earth did I think about him?


    It¡¯s not as if I cared about his preferences.


    What am I doing? Ugh! Frustrated, I threw myself onto my bed and gazed up at the ceiling.


    Lucian was a constant source of confusion. He upied my mind day and night, despite my supposed hatred towards him. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be at his wedding?


    I scolded myself, refusing to give in to these swirling emotions. After all, I was here to start afresh, to move beyond the past. No one seemed to be searching for us. Perhaps Vienna and Monsieur had finally decided to release their grasp on our lives.

 Chapter 37: Find Her!

    Vienna¡¯s POV


    ¡°How fucking hard it is to find that bitch and her mother?¡± I eximed, forcefully striking the table with my hands.


    I took a deep, heavy breath and massaged my throbbing temples. I am prepared tob every corner of this vast earth, exploring even the deepest part of the underworld. I promise to crush her life and make her suffer more than she made me suffer.


    ¡°Vienna, my dear, please calm yourself,¡± my father attempted to soothe me.


    ¡°Calm down?!¡± Our persistent search has spanned an entire month! Each time we uncover a clue regarding their whereabouts, it vanishes into thin air. How did they manage to get the money to travel all around the world?


    ¡°All of this is your doing,¡± I used, jabbing my finger in his direction.


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t prevented me from eliminating Cercei, she would be dposing in the ground by now,¡± I added, filled with disdain.


    ¡°Do not point your finger at me, youngdy,¡± his voice grew grave and menacing. I reluctantly lowered my hand, yet the fire of resentment still burned in my stare.


    I love my father more than anything. He is my only family left, always there for me no matter what, and the only person who truly understands me.


    However, his actions shattered me. Granted, I never regarded my father as the paragon of virtue. Surely, it was not solely his fault. I am convinced that his slut maid seduced him, lured by the purpose of sharing his wealth or escaping a life of servitude. I cannot say for certain, but my father cannot bear the entirety of the me. He loves me; he would never betray Mom in such a manner.


    ¡°What in the world are you gawking at? Be gone, and do not return until you have found her!¡± I bellowed at the men who foolishly stood before us.


    I took a sip of my wine, the bitterness reflecting my frustration. With a swift motion, I hurled the ss across the room, shattering it against the wall. My anger was consuming me, and I swore, in the presence of all saints in heaven, that even Satan himself would be taken aback by the measures I would use once I tracked her down.


    It wasn¡¯t just about her stealing my fianc¨¦. She had always been persistent in her quest to steal the limelight from me since our childhood. Desperate to outshine me, constantly seeking attention andpliments. She couldn¡¯t simply keep her distance and fulfill her duties like the lowly servant she was meant to be.


    ¡°Vienna,¡± he called out to me in a calm tone. I shifted my gaze towards him. We are currently in his study, and hefortably sat in his swivel chair while I stood before him, ready to unleash my fury on the world.


    Weary, I sank into a chair, feeling the heavy burden of exhaustion on my shoulders.


    ¡°Perhaps you should consider letting them go and focus on getting Lucian back,¡± my Dad suggested.


    As if my anger wasn¡¯t already reaching its boiling point, he had the audacity to propose such a notion.


    ¡°What?¡± I retorted, incredulous.


    ¡°A fresh start could be beneficial for you,¡± he reiterated, attempting to soothe me.


    I scoffed derisively, dismissing his suggestion.


    ¡°Are you afraid of what I will do to your bitch mistress?¡± Ished out at my father, his lips tightly pressed together.


    ¡°And when did you be the virtuous one?¡± I continued. No matter how much he indulged and pampered me, I knew my father¡¯s true nature. He was a beast, merciless, powerful, and unrelenting. It was his dominance that made him the alpha.


    ¡°Your anger is consuming you; that is not how the game is yed. You¡¯re on the path to defeat, surrendering to your own emotions,¡± my father reminded me, further fueling my irritation.


    I clenched my teeth, recognizing my ongoing battle with anger management. I had always been prone to reacting strongly, even to the smallest inconveniences. In contrast, my father had a sharp mind, always outsmarting his opponents, never letting his emotions control him.


    I had never known my mother, never even had the opportunity to meet her since the moment I came into this world. Yet, I was certain that this fiery temperament had been inherited from her, for the only trait I had acquired from my father was his tenacious ruthlessness.


    ¡°Why did you do it?¡± I finally posed the question, but his stoic countenance remained unchanged. It felt as if I had asked him this same question a million times before, and he evaded offering a direct response each time.


    He maintained a determined silence as I stared at him, awaiting an answer. Bitterughter escaped my lips, apanied by a resigned shake of my head. He was never interested in providing me with a damn answer.


    I rose abruptly and departed from the room.


    Closing the door to my room, I copsed onto the corner of my bed, tears welling up in my eyes.


    The memory of that night at the Moon Ball party came rushing back, flooding my mind.


    I had been walking the hallway, attempting topose myself after beating that disgusting bitch.


    She needed a harsh reminder of her ce. In this grand mansion, there was no tolerance for mistakes. Or perhaps it hadn¡¯t been a mistake at all. Maybe she had intentionally spilled that drink, hoping to draw attention to herself. She was incessantly striving to shine, to bask in the bright spotlight.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    But what do you expect? A mere servant, ignorant, destitute, and naive. Desperate for a better life, she extended her grasping ws towards wealthy Lords,  taking advantage of this extravagant ball. She was selling herself to every man present, I guess. Such audacity would not be tolerated under my watch.


    ¡°Please, Monsieur, grant us our freedom,¡± a voice echoed in my ears, pleading for dismissal.


    I halted in my tracks upon hearing voices emanating from the living room. Concealing myself, I peered through a discreet viewpoint and discovered Cercei¡¯s mother and father begging my father. Intrigued, I remained hidden, listening intently.


    ¡°If you leave me, there will be no more fun,¡± he asserted, his grip tightening on her delicate chin.


    My eyes widened as Cercei¡¯s father forcefully pried my father¡¯s hand away from his wife¡¯s face. My father¡¯s back was turned towards me, concealing his reaction from view.


    ¡°Nevery a hand on my wife again,¡± Cercei¡¯s fathermanded resolutely.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Now it was my father who seethed with anger.


    I instinctively covered my mouth, stifling a scream as my father metaphorically ripped out his heart from his chest. The sight sent chills down my spine, freezing my entire being. Cercei¡¯s mother sobbed uncontrobly, her wailing echoing throughout the room.


    ¡°Your loyalty is here with me. You would do well to satisfy your Lord,¡± my father¡¯s roar reverberated through the room, each word a thunderp that intensified the storm raging inside me. I struggled to grasp the seriousness of my father¡¯s words. While I couldn¡¯t fullyprehend every detail, I understood enough to ignite my anger. There was something inappropriate happening between my Dad and his maid.


    My mind spun with a whirlwind of thoughts, threatening to overload and shatter my sanity. Cercei¡¯s mother was engaged in an affair with my father. And now, my father had taken the life of Cercei¡¯s father. What in the world was unfolding before my very eyes?


    Suddenly, the door swung open, and Cercei entered. She froze in her tracks. Her eyes were fixated on the harrowing scene that unfolded before her. Without a word, she crumpled to her knees.


    My heart pounded furiously inside my chest, a storm of emotions threatening to engulf mepletely. I struggled to piece together the fragments of this nightmarish puzzle, grappling with a maddening confusion that clouded my every thought.

 Chapter 38: Like A Dog

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    Like a loyal dog, I trailed Cercei to Dinan with steadfast determination. I was persistently frequenting the caf¨¦ where she worked and staying at a simple motel on her street.


    A mix of fear, anger, and irritation brewed inside her, and I understood it all too well. She med me for the unfortunate incident at the party. She wouldn¡¯t have identally dropped something on me if I hadn¡¯t startled her. It was my own mistake that shifted Vienna¡¯s focus to her, making things worse.


    Not to mention the fact that I became engaged soon after our intimate encounter. It was clearly her first time, and my foolishness made me mistake her for Vienna. I acknowledge my mistake. I harbour no intentions of coercing her into anything. I merely arrived here to ensure her safety and clear myself when a suitable moment arose while introducing myself more appropriately.


    ¡°You¡¯re behaving creepily, Sire,¡± Frank expressed over the phone with a trifle of respect. Even though Frank tried to be tactful, I couldn¡¯t help but get offended by his words.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°I am merely assuring her well-being,¡± I defended my stance.


    ¡°Yes, in a distinctly disturbing manner,¡± Frank promptly retorted. I couldn¡¯t help but release a frustrated sigh.


    ¡°What¡¯s thetest report on the MoonStone¡¯s men?¡± I deftly redirected the conversation.


    ¡°We have sessfully diverted their attention. They are currently scouring Asia searching for Miss Cercei and her mother.¡±


    Vienna is clearly focused on seeking revenge, and it¡¯s my responsibility to divert her attention. I am determined to protect Cercei¡¯s life, and I will make sure it stays that way.


    ¡°Excellent. Ensure they do note snooping around here,¡± Imanded before ending the call. Raising my finger aloft, I beckoned for Cercei¡¯s attention. As her eyes met mine, a disdainful roll apanied by her friend¡¯s radiant smile greeted me.


    A soft chuckle danced inside my mind. Oh, how effortlessly she bes pissed, and her transparent anger towards me possesses a certain charm.


    ¡°What?¡± she spat out, her wordsced with disdain.


    ¡°May I trouble you for another cup?¡± I gestured towards the empty cup before me.


    ¡°Of course,¡± she responded, a fake smile gracing her lips as her eyes rolled again. I couldn¡¯t suppress my amusement.


    ¡°Here, enjoy your coffee,¡± she ced the mug before me with a brief, dismissive gesture, causing a small spill that spoiled the intricatette design.


    ¡°That¡¯s not how you treat a customer,¡± Imented while maintaining a calm demeanour.


    ¡°No, but it is certainly how one treats a jerk who has ruined their life,¡± she retorted swiftly, her words taunting.


    ¡°Listen, I am truly sorry. I understand that I cannot undo the past. May I have the opportunity to make amends? Let us talk,¡± I pleaded earnestly, genuinely wanting to set things right.


    ¡°No,¡± she replied, turning her back on me. I exhaled deeply, watching her walk away from me.


    She requires time, and I shall grant her that. I never anticipated a warm reception, after all.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have the usual,¡± I dered confidently. A flicker of surprise danced on her lips, taken aback by my audacity. Even though I had just arrived, my casual request for my usual order appeared to strike a nerve.


    ¡°Apologies, sir, but I do not possess an encyclopaedic memory of every customer. Would you kindly enlighten me with your preference?¡± she retorted sweetly, infused with sarcasm. I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°This one,¡± I pointed at the menu. She forced a smile and jotted it down on her pad. I knew she remembered my order perfectly well; she merely feigned indifference as though I were not worth upying space in her memory. Indeed, every time I stepped through that door, her piercing gaze pierced me like a sword, prating every nook and cranny of my soul. Adorable, really.


    I often spend my day observing her, studying her movements, her speech, and her overall demeanour. I notice her smile, her voice, and even her moments of annoyance. I observe how attentively she serves each customer. I take note of how she interacts with children and how she ties her hair when it¡¯s hot.


    An undeniable purity emanates from her being as if she were too sheltered, too innocent for this world. Merely ncing at her beautiful countenance showed that she possesses an innate interest, her eyes lingering on women her age, scrutinising their attire, hairstyles, and shoes.


    Naturally, her striking beauty does not escape the attention of men. I witness how some of them adopt an overly friendly demeanour when she takes their orders. It bothers me to witness their dramatic disys, their broad smiles,pliments, and generous tips. Their attempts to win her favour are in vain; their wealth means nothing to me, as I could buy their lives three times over if I wished.


    Lost in my thoughts, I was preupied with work-rted phone calls when I realised I could no longer find Cercei. She was not at the counter or attending to a customer¡¯s request. I waited for a few minutes, hoping she had simply retreated to the kitchen.


    Where could she be?


    A sense of worry gripped me tightly. She cannot roam freely; what if Vienna¡¯s henchmen were to find her?


    Unable to restrain myself, I approached the woman at the counter, assuming her to be Cercei¡¯s friend. I had frequently observed them involved in lively conversations, sharingughter and connection.


    ¡°Hello, I apologise, but may I inquire about the whereabouts of that pretty waitress?¡± I asked, raising my concern. Her brows furrowed at my question, clearly taken aback.


    ¡°Your what?¡± she queried, her toneced with confusion.


    ¡°The woman who serves me, the one who knows my order,¡± I stumbled over my words, attempting to offer a flimsy excuse.


    ¡°I can take your order, sir. What would you like?¡± she raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Nevermind, thank you,¡± I replied, realising the futility of my question, and prepared to leave.


    ¡°She¡¯s off today. It¡¯s her day off,¡± she informed me, prompting a grateful nod of eptance from me.


    Has she returned to her home? I sincerely hope so. She¡¯s aware of the dangers that lurk in this city. Even if Vienna¡¯s men aren¡¯t around, numerous evil people still will exploit her innocence without a second thought.


    Restless and consumed by worry, I aimlessly roamed the streets, desperately attempting to find her.


    What on earth am I doing?


    It is futile to search for her in this vast city without the assistance of my men. Like a dog obsessed with its owner, I roamed around, trying to find her.


    Why can¡¯t she just stay inside the caf¨¦ or in the safety of that building? She would be much better protected there. I understand her curiosity about the world, but it presents grave dangers.


    She didn¡¯t leave through the main entrance; otherwise, I would have quietly followed her. It might sound disturbing, but I undertake these actions solely for her safety. After all, she is my mate. Ensuring her well-being and security is my top priority. Maybe she is unaware of this, or perhaps she acknowledges it but chooses not to ept it. However, now that I am certain she is the one I have been searching for, I won¡¯t let her escape my vignt attention.

 Chapter 39: Cheerful Sunday Morning

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I awoke on a serene Sunday morning, a sense of contentment permeating through my being. As the sun¡¯s gentle rays caressed my face, a smile effortlessly etched itself on my lips. It was an unfamiliar sensation, this overwhelming enthusiasm upon waking up.


    ¡°Morning,¡± I greeted my mother with a tender kiss.


    ¡°Good morning, hon.¡±


    ¡°Morning, Auntie,¡± I acknowledged her briefly, stealing a delicious bite of her homemade waffle. A soft chuckle escaped her lips at my audacity.


    ¡°Mhmm,¡± I eximed appreciatively. The taste was divine, evident to her exceptional culinary skills that undoubtedly contributed to the resounding sess of her caf¨¦.


    ¡°You appear particrly lively today,¡± Mam¨¤mented, her observant eyes assessing my buoyant demeanour.


    I simply smiled, for indeed, I felt inexplicably splendid. Perhaps this was what they called waking up on the right side of the bed. Thanks to ire, my ever-talkative buddy, I was exposed to a plethora of new phrases, althoughprehending half of her lengthy speech remained an ongoing challenge.


    ¡°What are your ns for the day?¡± Aunt inquired, interrupting my blissful indulgence in the waffle. With a mouth still filled with fractions, I chewed hurriedly and washed it down with a sip of juice,plying to respond promptly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not certain,¡± I managed to utter with a mouthful.


    ¡°Your mam¨¤ and I are nning a fun pic. Would you care to join us?¡± she proposed, her suggestion enticing. However, I found myself conflicted.


    ¡°Sounds enticing, but I believe I yearn for a lone stroll today,¡± I responded. Mam¨¤ beamed with understanding.


    ¡°Ohh, someone has truly embraced their inner explorer,¡± Auntie jested, her eyes twinkling mischievously.


    ¡°Well, what harm could befall me on this tranquil Sunday morning?¡± I nonchntly shrugged, my wordsced with a touch of carefree optimism.


    ¡°Always remember to exercise caution, okay? Do not ce unyielding trust in strangers, and do not hesitate to contact us should anything peculiar ur,¡± she gently reminded me, concerned tinging her words.


    I merely nodded, my attention still captivated by the delicious feast before me, the waffles begging for further savouring.


    I decided to clean the kitchen once Mam¨¤ and Auntie went on their bonding outing. With each dish carefully washed and every surface gleaming, I pondered over how to spend the rest of my day. A leisurely stroll to acquaint myself with the neighbourhood seemed like a satisfying n. Lately, I had developed a preference for exploring outdoors, shedding the earlier fears and paranoia that Vienna¡¯s shadows harboured men waiting in dark alleys, poised for an opportune moment. Yet, over time, it became evident that no one trailed our footsteps. While not an absolute assurance, I remained cautious, particrly when walking alone. A little indulgence every now and then wouldn¡¯t hurt, would it?


    Dressed in a sun-kissed yellow strappy dress paired with rustic brown sandals, I prettied myself for the day¡¯s escapade. Equipped with a charming little basket, I intended to buy flowers. Aunt Mnie¡¯s home boasted numerous empty vases, and I decided to fill them, transforming her living space into a blooming haven. With no work obligations on the weekend, this n promised to upy my time delightfully.


    Ambling down the street, I stepped into a quaint flower shop. The vibrant array of flowers greeted my senses, each variety boasting an explosion of colours. Such profusion of nature¡¯s beauty rarely appeared on the grounds of that grand mansion, where pristine white roses reigned supreme.


    The elderly owner handed me a sunflower, her wrinkled face alight with a gentle smile.


    ¡°This willplement your dress perfectly,¡± she offered. I reciprocated her gesture with gratitude, epting the vibrant flower.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, it does. Thank you,¡± I chuckled softly, charmed by the whimsical luck.


    ¡°Allow me to offer you something as well,¡± an unfamiliar voice interjected, extending a red rose towards me. Turning towards the intruder, my smile faded as I saw Lucian. d in a casual outfit of a white button-down polo shirt and khaki shorts, his messy hair infused him with an air of ease and informality, a striking difference from his usual squeaky-clean and formal appearance.


    ¡°My Paolo used to give me roses,¡± the elderly woman reminisced her romantic fervour, her eyes sparkling as she remembered the cherished memories. Lucian¡¯s smile persisted while my gaze sharpened into a re.


    ¡°Are you following me?¡± I spat, suspicioncing my words.


    ¡°I happened to saw you while I was passing by,¡± he responded defensively. I raised a doubtful eyebrow, sceptical of the honesty of his im.


    ¡°Do you truly expect me to believe that you coincidentally stumbled on my street?¡± I retorted, my voice dripping with scepticism.


    ¡°Congrattions on owning the streets now!¡± he replied, his tone tinged with sarcasm. Rolling my eyes at his snarky remark, I dismissed him with a curt gesture.


    Without meaning to sound conceited or anything of the sort, it was bing increasingly evident that Lucian was indeed trailing my every step. A regr fixture in the caf¨¦, and now inexplicably present here. What were the odds?


    Choosing to disregard his unwee presence, I focused my attention on selecting the perfect flowers. Contemting what wouldplement Aunt Mnie¡¯s vibrant interior, I reasoned that an input of brightly coloured flowers would suffuse the space with a lively ambiance.


    However, Lucian¡¯s overpowering aura persisted, his dominating presence noticeable even from behind. Unable to contain my exasperation any longer, I turned to face him directly.


    ¡°Why are you still here?¡± I demanded, unbelieving at his audacity. His unembarrassed stares andck of shame began grating on my nerves.


    ¡°I¡¯m also buying flowers,¡± he offered, feigning interest as he pretended to inhale the delicate fragrance of one.


    With a weary sigh, I realised that my hopes for a pleasant day had swiftly dissipated. Swiftly gathering the most vibrant flowers within reach, I hastily paid for them, eager to put distance between myself and Lucian¡¯s disturbing presence.


    Much to my chagrin, he appeared to panic on witnessing my departure, abandoning the flowers he had intended to buy in his haste to catch up with me.


    ¡°Why do you persist in following me?¡± I snapped, annoyancecing my tone.


    ¡°Look, all I want is to get to know you,¡± he pleaded, a hint of vulnerability seeping into his words.


    ¡°Well, I have no desire to waste my precious time engaging in conversation with you,¡± I dered firmly, striding away with purpose. Yet, to my dismay, he resumed his pursuit, eagerly trailing in my path.


    ¡°Leave me alone. I want to enjoy the rest of the day, but your constant trailing behind me is ruining my mood,¡± I retorted, my tone heavy with harshness.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t be angry. I simply wish to know you,¡± he pleaded. His words struck a chord, and I halted my steps, captivated by the sincerity reflected in his eyes. A passion burning within him was so intense that it almost swayed me.


    ¡°For what?¡± I inquired, my curiosity piqued. Why did he feelpelled to know me? Was there something about me that held an undiscovered allure?N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Just because¡­¡± he hesitated, leaving his words hanging in the air.


    Just because what? I yearned to demand an exnation, but I swallowed the impulse.


    ¡°I have no idea what twisted game you¡¯re ying right now!¡± I finally mustered the courage to utter.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ying any games. I merely want to acquaint myself with you. Don¡¯t you feel the same? I mean, after what happened between us in that cabin, aren¡¯t you even the least bit curious about me?¡± he casually remarked. My face flushed crimson as he mentioned that fateful night. He had the audacity to smirk at my visible reaction.


    ¡°Aww, I wonder how your fianc¨¦e would react upon discovering that we shared a night together,¡± I retorted defiantly.


    ¡°The wedding has been called off. There is no wedding. I am single,¡± he exined promptly.


    ¡°So?¡± I responded dismissively, feigning indifference.


    ¡°I made a mistake. I believed it was Vienna I was with that night. If only I had known it was you¡­¡± his voice trailed off.


    ¡°What happened between us was a mistake. You bear no responsibility towards me after what urred,¡± I asserted, determined not to let my status as a virgin instigate any sense of obligation from him.


    ¡°A mistake?¡± he sounded offended. Taking a step closer, he leaned in, causing my breath to hitch. His hot, minty breath wafted tantalisingly close to my face, our nearness electrifying.


    ¡°It didn¡¯t feel like a mistake, and you know it,¡± he asserted, brimming with sincere confidence.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder who had nurtured his ego to such heights, shaping him into this audacious and relentless being.


    Attempting to push him away, I exerted force, only to realise he remained rooted, akin to an unyielding wall. His gaze dropped to my lips, and my heart quickened its beat, a surge of heat shrouding me. It wasn¡¯t just his alluring fragrance; it was something more, something that ignited a flutter inside me.


    Lost in my own romantic musings, he abruptly straightened himself, causing me to snap back to reality. Embarrassed by my flushed state, I hastilyposed myself. Goodness, I must appear utterly flustered.


    ¡°Come, let me take you to lunch,¡± he dered, seizing my hand. Unbeknownst to myself, I allowed him to lead me, swayed by a force beyond my grasp.

 Chapter 40: Lunch With Him

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    He brought me to a small seaside restaurant, affording us an enchanting sight of the boundless ocean. The locals, captivated by his presence, simply couldn¡¯t avert their gaze. One can hardly me them.


    Despite my enduring hostility towards him,  I must admit that he is undeniably attractive. In fact, he represents aplete opposite in terms of appearance. His brown hair perfectly matches his fair skin. He is tall and slender, attracting attention wherever he goes. Moreover, his mysterious andmanding presence radiates a strong sense of power and authority.


    As our food arrived, we began a silent meal. I couldn¡¯t muster the courage to look at him, but he kept stealing quick nces at me.


    A surge of profound difort courses through me. Here I am, partaking in a seaside lunch with my arch-nemesis on anguid Sunday.


    ¡°How are you?¡± he interjects suddenly.


    Really, you have the audacity to inquire? My inner demon shrieks within, but I suppress it with silent restraint.


    ¡°Terrible!¡± I retorted. He takes an awkward sip from his drink.


    As if the ambiance weren¡¯t awkward enough, I managed to deepen it further. Bravo.


    ¡°I apologise for what happened,¡± he blurts out unexpectedly, his toneced with remorse.


    ¡°Yes, well, it¡¯s already happened,¡± I mutter without casting a nce in his direction.


    ¡°How is your mother?¡± I finally turn my gaze towards him upon hearing his inquiry. What¡¯s with this line of questioning? Are we on a date? This is obviously not a date.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± I responded curtly. I only consented to apany him because, either way, he wouldn¡¯t leave me in peace.


    ¡°Do you prefer this city?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    My curt replies caught his attention, prompting him to refrain from further questioning. Now, I can¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt. Being rude is not my usual demeanour.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I mustered the courage to break the oppressive silence. It seemed fitting that I asked instead of being interrogated. Besides, my inquiries held greater relevance.


    ¡°I have a project here,¡± he replied softly. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. This city may be sizable, but not to the extent where he would have a project. He is the alpha of one of the world¡¯s strongest and most influential packs. Not to mention his billion-dorpany. What could he possibly gain from being here?


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie!¡± I dere frankly, challenging his deception.


    He remained silent and continued to eat.


    ¡°It¡¯s not. I¡¯m here to lend a hand,¡± he responded calmly.


    ¡°Help with what?¡± I arched an eyebrow.


    ¡°The orphanage.¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡± My curiosity was piqued, seeking the truth behind his im.


    ¡°Since you asked,¡± he retorted, taking another sip of his drink. All these inquiries seemed to lead us nowhere.


    ¡°I hate liars,¡± I firmly stated. He gazed at me, gauging my emotions.


    Eventually, he let out a sigh.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll show you,¡± he finally conceded, sensing my doubt.


    I had my doubts about his ims, and it became increasingly apparent that he was indeed lying. The orphanage? Yeah, right. I may not know him well, but I could sense that he couldn¡¯t care less about societal issues. Besides, he had enough problems of his own to deal with.


    After we finished our lunch, we made our way to the supposed orphanage he had mentioned. I struggled to contain myughter, knowing full well that he waspletely clueless. I watched as he discreetly Googled the nearest orphanage to our location. I shook my head in disbelief.


    Upon our arrival, my amusement faded when I witnessed the sight of the little children ying. Their joy and innocence tugged at my heart, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. I only wished that life wouldn¡¯t strip them of their happiness.


    As we entered, we were warmly greeted by an elderly woman who guided us to a nun called Sister Flora. She appeared kind and amiable in her fifties.


    ¡°What can we do for you?¡± she asked, her gentle voice filling the room.


    Lucian looked at me, clearly uncertain about how to respond to the nun before him. I met his gaze, silently urging him to stand by his earlier im.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to, uh, help?¡± he stuttered, clearly fumbling. I struggled to suppress myughter, desperately trying to maintain aposed expression. There¡¯s nothing quite as satisfying as witnessing liars get their retribution.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± the nun responded, perplexed by his vague answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to help the, uh, children,¡± he gestured towards the kids ying outside, their forms visible through the office window.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a truly kind offer. Thank you so much for your generosity,¡± Sister Flora expressed her gratitude, her eyes lighting up with joy.


    ¡°How much?¡± he asked bluntly. The nun chuckled awkwardly, taken aback by his seemingly transactional approach.


    ¡°That usually depends on the donor. However, we host events here, selling paintings and projects created by the children to raise funds. If you¡¯d like, you¡¯re more than wee to attend. It would bring immense happiness to the children,¡± the nun informed us, her voice carrying a hopeful tone.


    ¡°Yeah, Lucian, I know how much you adore children,¡± I decided to torment him, enjoying the opportunity. Sister Flora looked at him with hopeful eyes, awaiting his response. I could see him struggling to decline.


    ¡°Sure, we¡¯ll be there. My wife has been searching for some artwork to adorn our home,¡± he said cheerfully, casting a nce in my direction. My yful smugness quickly transformed into a resentful re. Now, it was Lucian who was grinning like a fool. He wrapped his arm around my waist, disying a false sense of affection. I forced a fake smile towards the nun, who regarded us with adoring eyes.


    ¡°We look forward to seeing you both. It will be fun!¡± she eximed, brimming with excitement. I could only nod and force another smile, concealing my bubbling resentment.


    After Sister Flora provided us with the event details, I felt an overwhelming urge to hurl a table at Lucian¡¯s smug face. Only he had the power to incite such violent tendencies within me.


    ¡°You jerk!¡± I jabbed his chest with a forceful punch as soon as we left Sister Flora¡¯s office.


    ¡°What?¡± he feigned innocence, wearing a mask of obliviousness.


    ¡°Why would you lie to a nun like that?¡± I confronted him without hesitation. I knew he was deliberately trying to push my buttons, but deceiving a nun was deeply disturbing.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a lie, more like a prediction,¡± he smirked mischievously.


    ¡°More like a delusion!¡± I retorted with a smirk of my own, striding towards the exit.


    ¡°Wait and see,¡± he teased.


    ¡°You¡¯re so full of yourself,¡± I scoffed, increasing my pace and leaving him behind. I longed to spend a bit more time interacting with the children, but it was their prayer time, and disturbing them would be inappropriate.


    Children have always held a special ce in my heart. I¡¯m not sure why, as most people aren¡¯t particrly fond of them. Perhaps it¡¯s their innocence, their naivety, and their boundless enthusiasm. They have yet to experience the world¡¯s harsh realities, and their hearts and minds remain pure. Their thoughts and emotions are genuine, not to mention their tiny fingers and adorable faces.


    In the bounds of the mansion, I only had the opportunity to interact with children if there were guests with little ones.


    I¡¯m genuinely d that Lucian has chosen to extend a helping hand to these kids, regardless of his ulterior motives. I understand why these children find themselves in an orphanage; it¡¯s because theyck a family to care for and love them.


    It¡¯s undeniably heartbreaking, especially since they are the ones who deserve love and care the most.

 Chapter 41: A Truly Jerk

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Are you wearing lipstick??¡± inquired ire, her voice hemming on a shrill exmation.


    Feeling a twinge of embarrassment, I remained silent, pondering the trifle of the question. After all, it seemedmonce for everyone to wear lipstick, including ire herself, albeit in a striking shade of red. Each day, she paraded around with an air of elegance reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I curtly replied, prompting an idiotic grin to spread across her face.


    The tinkling of bells resonated through the air, glorifying the arrival of a visitor. Lucian¡¯s gaze met mine, and a smile appeared on his lips. In that instant, my heart quickened its pace as if inextricably bound to a familiar rhythm.


    ¡°Aha, now I understand,¡± ire yfully teased.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± I questioned, taken aback by her insinuation.


    Lucian settled into his customary seat, and I seized my notepad.


    ¡°You go there and retrieve his number¡­ I mean, his order,¡± she motioned yfully. My eyes were rolling in mockery of ire¡¯s jest.


    ¡°Good morning, sir. How may I be of service to you?¡± I addressed him formally, extending a polite greeting.


    ¡°A lovely morning indeed, for I have finally encountered a waitress of such affable spirit,¡± he responded, revealing a perfect set of pearly white teeth. Though his demeanour exuded an intimidating aura, his smile possessed an enchanting quality simr to the gates of heaven unveiling their celestial splendour. Wait, what was I thinking?


    ¡°Let us not spoil the moment,¡± I interjected, attempting to maintain a semnce ofposure. He chuckled in response.


    ¡°The usual order, please,¡± he eventually revealed his order, his words resonating with a certain familiarity.


    I returned to the counter, clutching the order in my hands, while ire¡¯s mischievous grin remained stered on her face.


    ¡°No wonder you¡¯ve been radiating such vitalitytely; it appears that Mr. Pancake has finally captured your attention,¡± she remarked, wiggling her eyebrows in jest.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I refuted. Was I truly exuding a livelinesstely? When we first arrived in this city, I seemed devoid of any enthusiasm. In recent days, however, I had made an effort to present myself in a more presentable manner, a fact I hadn¡¯t even acknowledged until ire pointed it out. And, of course, there was the lipstick.


    ¡°Oh,e on now, Miss Denial,¡± she taunted, her voice taking on a sing-song quality.


    The doorbell chimed once again, indicating the entrance of a tall, sophisticated woman. She exuded an air of elegance, wrapped in a form-fitting, square-necked white dress that entuated her curves wlessly. The glow of her pearl earrings caught my eye from behind the counter, and her meticulously styled blonde tresses swayed with each graceful movement. All eyes were drawn to her as she strode into the caf¨¦, her heels resounding in an echoing symphony throughout the space.


    She surveyed the room, searching for an avable table, only to find that every seat was upied, save for the one upied by Lucian. Oblivious to the goddess approaching him, Lucian remained engrossed in his phone.


    ¡°Uh oh, ¡®bitch alert¡¯,¡± ire whispered, both of us observing with a mixture of curiosity and amusement as the woman approached Lucian.


    An unusual surge of annoyance coursed through me, and I found myself growing increasingly¡­ infuriated.


    The woman exuded an air of elegance and kindness as she engaged in conversation with Lucian. My teeth clenched tightly as I witnessed him nod in response, and she proceeded to upy the chair across from him. That jerk just appeared like a perfect gentleman!


    Driven by impulse, I grabbed his order and marched angrily towards his table.


    ¡°Your order, sir,¡± I forced a fake smile that seemed to perplex him momentarily.


    ¡°Excuse me, may I ce an order?¡± asked the blonde woman, capturing my attention. I turned towards her, acutely aware of her refined British ent. She exuded an aura of politeness and ss.


    ¡°Certainly, miss. What would you like?¡± Suddenly, I became acutely conscious of my own ent. Did I sound peculiar? Her makeup was wlessly applied, her blush blended seamlessly with herplexion, and her nude lips entuated her pout.


    ¡°Could I have what he¡¯s having?¡± she gestured towards Lucian¡¯s order.


    ¡°Ah, this pancake is truly exceptional; you should give it a try,¡± Lucian interjected. My eyes narrowed in his direction. Who asked for your unsolicited endorsement? I felt the impulse to snap at him, but I restrained myself.


    ¡°Really?¡± The woman beamed sweetly. I recognized that smile. It was the kind that most women wore when conversing with him. This wasn¡¯t the first time a woman approached him, but she seemed to be his type, a figure boasting an hourss physique, exuding a rich, ssy, and chic vibe.


    ¡°Anything else?¡± Her longing gaze was interrupted by my voice. She shifted her attention towards me, offering a sweet smile.


    ¡°Perhaps a coffee?¡± Her voice adopted a more seductive tone, yet her eyes remained fixated on Lucian¡¯s face.


    ¡°Your order will be served shortly,¡± I replied curtly, turning my back to them.


    ¡°Nice or nasty?¡± ire inquired as soon as I returned from getting the woman¡¯s order.


    ¡°Nice,¡± I sighed wearily. She mirrored my sigh and nced in their direction.


    ¡°Fear not, it appears Mr. Pancake is not particrly interested in her,¡± she offered as if her words were meant to quench my unease. Wait, why should I need any reassurance? I shouldn¡¯t care about them. To hell with Lucian.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less,¡± I retorted coldly. I truly didn¡¯t care; why should I?


    ¡°Oh no, she¡¯s doing the shyugh and tucking her hair behind her ear,¡± ire whispered in an exaggerated hush. I nced over at them. The woman leaned in closer to the table, engaging Lucian in an endearing manner, while he held his phone, busily typing away.


    ¡°I believe she¡¯s asking for his number,¡± I responded curtly. I observed as the woman handed her phone to Lucian. Turning on my heel, I headed towards the kitchen. I had no desire to witness customers flirting with one another. It was certainly not part of my job description.


    ¡°You know, I happen to live just around the corner,¡± echoed the woman¡¯s flirtatious words that lingered in the air as she looked in Lucian¡¯s direction.


    A surge of annoyance flooded my senses, I grabbed the woman¡¯s order and walked to their table. The woman was visibly startled when I ced her order on the table with a bit more force than intended. She had been leaning over the table, offering Lucian a shameless view of her cleavage.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your order,¡± I forced another fake smile. I could sense Lucian¡¯s lingering gaze in my frame.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Hey, are you free tonight?¡± His hand grasped mine just as I was about to depart. Completely taken aback by his question, I stood there in a state of confusion. The woman¡¯s flirty expression shifted to one of embarrassment, and she awkwardly took a sip of her coffee. Lucian stared at me, awaiting my response.


    ¡°Uhm,¡± I stammered, struggling to process his inquiry. Did he genuinely ask me out?


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up at 7,¡± he dered with a finality that left me dumbfounded. Releasing my hand, he nonchntly returned to his phone as if nothing had urred.


    I made my way back to the counter, wearing an expression of bewilderment. ire erupted into apuse as if I had won a momentous victory. She even shook her head in disbelief.


    ¡°You¡¯re my hero, the epitome of beauty,¡± she eximed, shaking my hand enthusiastically.


    ¡°And did you see the look on her face?¡± sheughed, yfully tapping me. ¡°That was epic. I¡¯m absolutely rooting for you two!¡± she dered, pointing at me with two fingers.


    I still couldn¡¯t fathom the fact that he had asked me out right in front of a woman who clearly fit his ideal type. He didn¡¯t even wait for my answer; he simply assumed I was avable.


    I couldn¡¯t help it; a smile crept across my lips.


    He truly was a jerk.

 Chapter 42: A Dinner At The Yacht

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    After his little trick, the woman remained silent andposed, refraining from further attempts to engage in conversation with him. She adopted the pretence of busying herself with her mobile phone, not even bothering to finish her meal before departing.


    I can¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt. She must be utterly mortified. She appeared so genuinely kind and amiable, perhaps merely intrigued by Lucian. The brute seemed oblivious to her interest, or perhaps he simply chose to disregard it.


    I spent the day dutifully attending to the customers. Mondays were typically hectic, but I maintained a constant motivation throughout the day. The anticipation of my shift¡¯s end only added to my excitement. Meanwhile, Lucian upied himself at the caf¨¦, appearing engrossed in his affairs. He fielded numerous phone calls and diligently tapped away on hisptop.


    One couldn¡¯t help but question his choice of venue for such work. A caf¨¦ hardly provides the ideal environment for concentration and privacy. Besides, is his back not suffering from the strain of prolonged sitting?


    ¡°Goodbye, enjoy your date,¡± ire yfully remarked, winking at me. I shook my head while removing my apron. She spent the entire day teasing me about my supposed romantic meeting.


    Yet, it isn¡¯t even a date. Lucian never referred to it as such; he simply inquired about my avability.


    Afterpleting my shift, I ascended the stairs to freshen up. Fortunately, our home stood a mere two floors above the caf¨¦, affording us ample time to prepare.


    A steaming hot shower worked wonders in easing the tension in my body.


    What should I wear? I should have inquired about our destination. I mustn¡¯t appear overdressed. Is this truly a date? Perchance, he merely wishes to converse or show me something interesting. Surely, had it been a date, he would have explicitly stated so. Dear heavens, am I overthinking about it? Why am I so conscious of his presence? I wouldn¡¯t say I like the effect he has on me.


    Ultimately, I settled on a costume consisting of a blue and white checkered ruffle-smocked tube top that elegantly paired with red white pants. I wore ck heels and a matching handbag toplete the look. Additionally, I embellished my attire with the essories given to me by Aunt Mnie.


    As I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I admitted my little knowledge of makeup. I was still in the process of learning, but I mustered the courage to apply a touch of it today. The result was satisfactory in my eyes. Inhaling deeply, I gathered my will before stepping out of my room.


    Thankfully, Mam¨¤ and Aunt Mnie hadn¡¯t returned yet. I had no desire to endure any more teasing before my departure.


    My heart leapt inside my chest when I caught sight of Lucian across the street from Aunt Mnie¡¯s residence. Wrapped in a baby blue button-down polo shirt, he exuded an aura of casual elegance. The top buttons remained undone, and he leaned effortlessly against his exquisite car.


    A radiant smile spread across his face upon spotting me. With trembling legs, I approached him, each step causing my heart to race.


    ¡°Evening, gorgeous,¡± he greeted, his lips pressing a gentle kiss onto the palm of my hand. A blush crept on my cheeks, such an old-fashioned gesture.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite the dramatic one,¡± I remarked yfully, a seductive chuckle escaping his lips.


    Gantly, he opened the car door for me, revealing a bouquet of flowers lying in the passenger seat. Augh escaped my lips. I hadn¡¯t anticipated his penchant for such cheesy yet endearing gestures.


    I read the apanying note, which proimed, ¡®Beautiful flowers for my beautifuldy.¡¯ Rolling my eyes, I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Do all yourdies fall for these charms?¡± I curled an eyebrow in jest.


    ¡°This is my first time, actually. I¡¯m not much for dates,¡± he replied calmly, his demeanour remarkablyposed. Meanwhile, I was so nervous.


    ¡°Where are we heading?¡± I inquired as he began to drive.


    ¡°Don¡¯t spoil the surprise,¡± he responded, evoking a sense of romanticism simr to novel scenes. I hadn¡¯t anticipated his penchant for tradition and old-fashioned gestures, yet I found it rather endearing.


    I simply smiled in response as he drove us toward a port. Once we arrived, he gracefully opened the car door and extended his hand to me. Looking around in confusion, I couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Where are we exactly? Are we going for a swim? Because I certainly wasn¡¯t prepared for that.¡±


    He handed his keys to a man and led me towards an impressive ck yacht. Naturally, he owned a billion-dor yacht.


    ¡°Watch your step,¡± he cautioned, gently guiding my waist. This marked my first experience aboard a yacht, and I couldn¡¯t help but gasp at the sight that greeted me, avishly decorated table garnished with delectable food and an abundance of candles casting a romantic glow.


    I chuckled appreciatively. Lucian manoeuvred the yacht a short distance away from the port, granting us a breathtaking view of the cityscape from the serene expanse of the sea.


    ¡°I must say, I¡¯m thoroughly impressed,¡± I remarked, my admiration evident.


    ¡°I¡¯m d. Shall we?¡± he gestured towards the beautifully set table.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The food presented before me was nothing short of mouthwatering. It was undoubtedly the finest and most exquisite cuisine I had ever had the pleasure of tasting.


    ¡°Do you enjoy it?¡± he inquired, and I nodded in response.


    ¡°It¡¯s absolutely delicious,¡± Imented, savouring each delightful bite. As our eyes locked, he smoothly reached for a napkin and gently wiped the corner of my lips. The intensity between us heightened, and a silent understanding passed between our gazes.


    ¡°The night is wonderful, isn¡¯t it?¡± he murmured, his eyes sweeping the surroundings. I followed his gaze, captivated by the beautiful city lights and the gentle crescent moon above.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied shyly, my response barely audible. His persistent gaze remained fixed on me.


    ¡°When was thest time you went hunting?¡± he suddenly questioned, noticing my contemtion of the moon. I paused, realising it had been a considerable while.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t hunted since I arrived here,¡± I confessed.


    ¡°You do realise the serious side effects that can have,¡± he said, his tone grave.


    ¡°I¡¯m aware, but where am I supposed to hunt? Amidst the buildings? Besides, I was afraid that Vienna¡¯s men might be searching for me.¡±


    ¡°No one cany a hand on you, not under my protection,¡± he assured me, his words filled with conviction. I looked at him, struck by the depth of his assurance.


    ¡°Why?¡± I asked, unable to contain my curiosity. Why was he so caring towards me? I had heard rumours of his ruthlessness as one of the toughest alphas, yet here he was, disying a surprising kindness. Was it all an act?


    He appeared momentarily taken aback by my question, hesitating before responding.


    ¡°Do you want to take me away?¡± I suddenly blurted out, catching him off guard. His eyes widened, and then he burst intoughter. I watched him, perplexed by his amusement.


    ¡°You certainly have trust issues,¡± he chuckled, hisughter contagious. I studied his face, noting how much more handsome he looked when he let go of his grumpy and serious demeanour.


    ¡°It¡¯s only natural, given our history,¡± I pouted slightly, my lips forming a yful pout.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to create a new start,¡± he replied with a mischievous smile. I yfully rolled my eyes at his remark. Undeniably, he possessed an uncanny ability to captivate a woman¡¯s attention.

 Chapter 43: I Am No Longer His People

    Emilia¡¯s POV


    ¡°It has been a month, Emilia, and there are still no signs of the Crescents,¡± Mnie uttered.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that supposed to be good news?¡± I asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not. Remus wouldn¡¯t simply let you go like that,¡± she voiced her opinion. I looked at her. She puffed on her cigarette. She was right. I had spent countless years in that mansion, never out of Remus¡¯ sight, not even for a second.


    ¡°Either you¡¯re exceptionally skilled at hiding, or they¡¯re plunging at searching,¡± she finished her cigarette.


    After years of nning my escape, I had thought this through thoroughly. I knew Remus would assume that I would run as far as possible when I fled. He would search for me in distantnds while I remained a mere three towns away from the mansion. Moreover, he had no knowledge of my sister¡¯s existence-Mnie, who resided in namelessness, having married into another pack.


    ¡°He¡¯ll search for Cercei,¡± Mnie added, extinguishing her cigarette in the ashtray.


    ¡°I won¡¯t allow him to take her away from me,¡± I clenched my fist. He had already taken enough from me-my life, my love-but not my daughter.


    ¡°After all, she is his daughter, his firstborn,¡± Mnie reminded me.


    ¡°Cercei is a mixed half-blood,¡± I said. She regarded me with disdain as if that had changed anything. She was right. Cercei was the daughter of an alpha, regardless of her bloodline.


    ording to ourws, she possessed the right to inherit the throne. I couldn¡¯t allow that to happen; I would protect her from the knowledge of her entitlements. Besides, Cercei had never been one to crave power.


    Cercei mustn¡¯t learn about her true origin-it is far too dangerous. If Vienna were to discover the truth, she would use every means at her disposal to eliminate Cercei.


    Cercei¡¯s mere presence had always threatened Vienna, yet Cercei remained oblivious to the truth of her birth.


    ¡°However, it¡¯s still peculiar,¡± Mnie suddenly remarked, shattering the silence.


    ¡°I mean, they have men scattered across the globe, and yet they can¡¯t find you,¡± she poured wine into a ss and handed it to me.


    ¡°I expected more of a challenge, you know. I thought we would have to flee to the ends of the Earth,¡± I joked. She chuckled.


    ¡°Perhaps someone is blocking their efforts,¡± Mnie conjectured.


    ¡°But who could be assisting us?¡± I questioned. I knew no one, and I relied solely on my sister. She was the only family I had left, and as much as I loathed to admit it, I had no friends to help me. Henr¨¬ had connections to powerful friends who were supposed to assist us, but I had never met them or had any contact. His death shattered my life and extinguished my hope, leaving Cercei as the sole driving force that kept me going.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe,¡± she shrugged.


    It was indeed peculiar. I was acutely aware of the lengths to which Remus¡¯ desperation could drive him. He would stop at nothing to obtain what he desired.


    ¡°We will continue to do as we always have, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst,¡± Mnie smiled at me. I returned a sad smile.


    ¡°I apologise for dragging you into this mess,¡± I said apologetically.


    ¡°You¡¯re my sister, Emilia, and this is more than just a mess-it¡¯s pure hell,¡± she attempted to lighten the mood.


    Mnie, my younger sister, had always been the strong and fierce one as we grew up. I was meant to be the protector, but now I found myself hiding in her shadow, putting her life at risk. She had managed to build afortable life for herself. Her husband¡¯s untimely death had shattered her, but she had managed to rebuild and recover.


    ¡°I¡¯m incredibly proud of everything you¡¯ve aplished, Mimi. Pap¨¤ and Mam¨¤ would have been so proud of you,¡± I acknowledged her achievements. She walked over to me and embraced me tightly, and I returned the hug. Tears welled up in my eyes.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for everything you¡¯ve been through,¡± she gently patted my back.


    ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± I sniffled.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long until they find you,¡± she reminded me once again.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll run,¡± I replied. We were skilled at running; we had been doing it our whole lives.


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep running forever, Emilia. Sooner orter, they will catch us up,¡± she stared at me intensely, and I met her gaze with equal intensity.


    ¡°There is no winning or losing, Mnie. This isn¡¯t a war,¡± I said, mustering my resolve. This was far from a war; we couldn¡¯t stand a chance, not even the slightest. It was like an ant trying to challenge an elephant.


    ¡°No, but when the timees, it will be,¡± she hinted at Cercei.


    ¡°Cercei wille of age, and when the time for the passing of the crown arrives, all your secrets will be exposed,¡± she added. I clenched my teeth in frustration.


    ¡°Please, Emilia. I only want what¡¯s best for us,¡± she held my hand and pleaded. I nced at her hands, eyes filled with worries.


    ¡°What do you propose we do?¡± Panic surged through me as I asked the question.


    ¡°Return to our pack,¡± she suggested. I shook my head vehemently.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± I widened my eyes, feeling irritated by her audacious proposition.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for us to go back,¡± Mnie insisted, her gaze filled with sadness. Henr¨¬¡¯s pack was Moonstone, and I had be a part of it when I married him, but our original pack was Lunar, located in Spain. That was where our family belonged. The Moonstone and Lunar packs were not on the best of terms. When I married Henr¨¬, our alpha was furious, and my entire family shared in the anger. They forbade me from marrying Henr¨¬, and so I left.


    And now Mnie wants us to knock on their doorstep, begging for protection. But I know all too well that they would sooner kill us than let Remus get his hands on us.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, sister. I¡¯m sure they have forgiven you by now,¡± Mnie tried to persuade me once again.


    ¡°Don Mariano isn¡¯t exactly known for his forgiveness, you know that,¡± I emphasised. Don Mariano was our alpha, a dangerous and rigid figure.


    ¡°No, but he loves his people,¡± she countered.


    ¡°I am no longer one of his people,¡± Iughed bitterly.


    ¡°Regardless of how far we¡¯vee, Emilia, we will always remain a Luna,¡± Mnie recalled enthusiastically. The status of being a Luna held significant weight and influence.


    ¡°Trust me, I desire help just as much as you do. But who¡¯s to say they would even want to help us? It would be suicide to provoke a conflict with the Moonstone pack,¡± I averted my gaze. The Moonstone pack was one of the most powerful and influential packs in the Western region. While they may not be friendly towards our pack, they were not our enemies either.


    ¡°Do you truly wish to drag them into a battle we cannot win?¡± I locked eyes with Mnie as I posed the question. It left her speechless and silenced. She knew deep down that I was right. Our old pack stood no chance against the might of the Moonstone pack-they possessed wealth, power, and resources far beyond our reach.


    I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to face this alone, as we always have.

 Chapter 44: Mr. Shades

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    The entire week sailed by smoothly, with the caf¨¦ bustling more than usual. Nevertheless, I found myself motivated each day. ire¡¯s teasing persisted, particrly when Lucian made his appearance every morning.


    Anticipating the chimes of the bells became my daily delight as they indicated his arrival, inevitably catching me in the act with ire¡¯s ever-watchful eyes.


    Lucian and I are getting along splendidly, albeit just as friends. Surprisingly kind, he carries himself as a true gentleman, while his wit and humour never fail to leave an impression. Gradually, I find myself reconsidering our initial encounter, realising that we may have started off on the wrong foot.


    I feel remorseful for attributing all the misfortunes in my life to him, for in truth, if it were not for him, we would not have been evicted from that mansion and forced to start anew. He introduced me to a world I believed existed only within the pages of books or on television screens. He helped me delve deeper into self-discovery. And now, as reluctant as I am to admit it, I eagerly anticipate each day spent in hispany. He has an indescribable effect on me; every sighting of him ignites a frantic beating in my chest. When we¡¯re together, time stands still and races ahead simultaneously. It defies exnation. This is the first time such emotions have ever bloomed inside me towards another person.


    ¡°Earth to Cercei,¡± ire waved her hand before my face, snapping me out of my reverie.


    ¡°Apologies,¡± I murmured, catching my lower lip between my teeth. Retrieving my notepad, I dutifully took the customers¡¯ orders.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Sir. May I take your order?¡± I asked as the man adjusted his shades to meet my gaze. He appears to be of simr age to Lucian, possessing a physique akin to his. Even from this distance, his extravagant attire reveals a penchant for high-end fashion. As he removed his sses, a smirk yed on his lips.


    ¡°Please, a cup of coffee,¡± he requested, apanied by a yful smile.


    ¡°Coming right up,¡± I replied before making my way to fulfil his order. I could sense his gaze following my every step as I returned to the counter.


    ¡°Mhmm, another charmer, I see,¡± ire bobbed, her chin resting on her hand as she observed intently. Her attention shifted back and forth between the man and Lucian.


    ¡°Now, my loyalty to Mr. Pancake is wavering,¡± she dered without hesitation. Shaking my head, I poured the coffee.


    ¡°Mr. Pancake exudes seriousness and intensity, but Mr. Shades over there is undeniably a yer-captivating and attractive. Yet, Mr. Pancake possesses an aura of dominance, his beauty absolutely controlling. However, Mr. Shades¡¯ dimples are simply to die for,¡± ire rated, as though her life depended on selecting between the two.


    Holding the tray gracefully, I approached the man¡¯s table, carefully setting down his coffee. As he nced up at me, a dazzling smile graced his lips, showcasing those captivating dimples.


    ¡°Enjoy your coffee,¡± I offered a modest smile. Inadvertently, I caught sight of Lucian, who seemed to be staring at us. His gaze carried a touch of intimidation.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied, his voice trailing off, subtly hinting at his curiosity about my name and eventually asking it.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± I responded.


    ¡°Thank you, Cercei. I¡¯m Vincent,¡± he introduced himself, extending his hand. I hesitated momentarily, as such friendliness from customers was not usual. Eventually, I epted his hand, and he shook mine gently yet firmly.


    ¡°Well, I shall leave you to enjoy your coffee,¡± I said, apanied by a smile. He nodded softly and returned the smile.


    Meanwhile, Lucian raised his hand from the adjacent table. Another waitress approached him, but he waved her off and locked eyes with me instead. The waitress, a tad embarrassed, left the scene. With a sigh, I made my way towards Lucian.


    He appeared grim, his gaze fixed on the man as I approached him.


    ¡°Can I get you something, Sir?¡± I inquired, only to be met with his cold stare directed at me.


    ¡°Water,¡± he uttered shortly. I nodded, swiftly retrieving a ss of water. His intense gaze remained fixed on the man, who seemed engrossed in his phone.


    ¡°Did he say something to you?¡± Lucian asked as I ced the water before him. Confusion furrowed my brow.


    ¡°Something like what?¡± I asked, oblivious to what he meant by his question.


    ¡°Never mind. Are you free tonight?¡± he abruptly changed the subject. Though my curiosity lingered regarding his prior question, I decided to let it go. Did Lucian know Vincent?


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied simply.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up,¡± he stated swiftly. I merely nodded in response before excusing myself and departing from the scene.


    The man didn¡¯t stay for long; after finishing his coffee, he left, leaving behind a generous tip, twice my monthly sry. To my surprise, Lucian appeared displeased by this, even suggesting that I throw away the money and ept an alternative sum from him. What a spoiled brat! How could he ask me to discard such a stroke of luck?


    In the end, he relented, and once the shop closed, I ascended the stairs to freshen up and change. Following Lucian¡¯s suggestion to dressfortably, I opted for track pants, a tank top, and a pair of shoes. Frankly, I had no idea where he intended to take me tonight. We had been spending more time togethertely, and I found myself growing to trust him to some extent. He had consistently disyed politeness and never tried doing something that might upset me.


    I could sense his lingering annoyance as he remained unusually quiet, his lips pressed into a tight line when I met him. Was he angry with me?


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but inquire.


    He didn¡¯t respond, his gaze fixed on the road.


    ¡°Are you mad at me?¡± I softly probed again as he halted the car at a red light.


    ¡°No,¡± he uttered breathlessly. I found it hard to believe him.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Come on, tell me,¡± I persisted, convinced something was bothering him. The light turned green.


    ¡°Was that the first time a man approached you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Approached?¡± I queried, perplexed by his line of questioning.


    ¡°Did anything strike you as odd? Do you think you¡¯re being followed?¡± His inquiries now felt distinctly odd. I couldn¡¯tprehend his purpose.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I shifted my body slightly to face him, observing that he was driving with only one hand on the wheel.


    ¡°Is there anything I should be worried about? Am I being followed?¡± I questioned him directly. He briefly nced at me before returning his focus to the road.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to worry about. I¡¯m sorry; I was just¡­ I just want you to be safe,¡± he sighed.


    Am I in danger? The rest of our trip passed in silence. I longed to ask him numerous questions about his strange behavior, but I knew he would dismiss my concerns. Lost in his own thoughts, he, too, remained silent.

 Chapter 45: Hunting Expedition

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    The car tripsted approximately 30 minutes, taking us far away from the bustling city. As the urbanndscape faded, buildings became scarce, and the sparse lights disappeared. Our surroundings transformed into a dense forest engulfed in darkness.


    The entire ride was suffused with an ufortable silence, neither of us willing to utter a single word. Eventually, he pulled the car to the side of the road. I surveyed our surroundings, realising we were on a deste path, rarely crossed by other vehicles. He unfastened his seatbelt and turned towards me while I kept my gaze fixed ahead, attempting to ignore his presence.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he murmured, gently sping my hand, which rested on myp. Reluctantly, I looked at him, witnessing a tender gleam in his eyes.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to worry about, I promise. I apologise if I frightened you,¡± his voice was hushed, almost like a growl.


    ¡°Are Vienna¡¯s men searching for me?¡± I asked him directly, catching him off guard. Why would she do such a thing? She was the one who insisted we leave, and now she desires our capture? What twisted game is she ying?


    ¡°I won¡¯t allow them to find you,¡± he reassured me, his eyes conveying a sincerity I had never witnessed before. Our hands intertwined, and a swarm of delicate butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Could this be what they call overwhelming excitement?


    ¡°So, where are we?¡± I inquired, feeling a semnce of relief settling inside me. I nced around, unable to shake the notion that he could easily be mistaken for a kidnapper if it were not for his gentlemanly demeanour.


    He unbuckled my seatbelt, his face mere inches away from mine. I could feel his warm, minty breath against my skin as my eyes fixated on his lips.


    ¡°We are going hunting,¡± he said casually. My eyes widened, and my jaw nearly dropped in disbelief. What? He drove for half an hour, so we couldunch on a hunting expedition? It was an incredibly considerate gesture that brought a smile to my face. I had mentioned my longing for hunting, and he had remembered.


    Hunting was an essential activity for a wolf. It is from the hunt that we derive our strength, and the longer we go without it, the weaker we be. Furthermore, the absence of hunting can wreak havoc on one¡¯s sanity.


    ¡°No way,¡± Iughed joyfully. I had missed the woods immensely. I always found a serene fulfilment in the heart of the forest, a shelter from everything I had left behind in that mansion. It was within those woods that our paths first crossed.


    ¡°Yes, we will,¡± he dered, stepping out of the car and graciously opening the door for me. He ced a hand on my waist and guided me as we walked into the forest.


    Inhaling deeply, I let the crisp night air permeate every corner of my lungs. It had been far too long since I experienced such purity. Though I cherished the city, its polluted atmosphere offered noparison to the untainted wilderness. Here, silence reigned, broken only by the gentle rustle of leaves and the moon¡¯s soft glow, our lone source of light.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Lucian extended his hand, and a wide grin spread across my face.


    ¡°What if someone sees us?¡± I questioned, a flicker of concern crossing my mind.


    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± he replied curtly, his words resonating with a sincere conviction. There was an undeniable essence about Lucian thatpelled me to trust him implicitly. Every word that escaped his lips carried the significance of an oath, an earnest promise never to be broken. In his presence, I foundfort, an apparent certainty that I could trust him.


    Together, we went deeper into the heart of the woods, our steps guided by the ethereal radiance of the full moon. And then, under its watchful gaze, our bodies underwent a shift. The bones inside me contorted and cracked, yet I experienced an overwhelming sense of fulfilment instead of pain. Once the transformation wasplete, I gazed upon Lucian¡¯s wolf form. He was the king of the north, renowned for his pristine white fur and eyes that burned crimson. The moon¡¯s glow reflected on his fur, lending him a magical radiance. My senses sharpened, capturing his scent more intensely than ever before.


    We ran through the forest¡¯s depths, pouring our hearts out. Together, we pursued our prey, seized it, and devoured them. Never before had I felt such tranquillity. I had never truly belonged, but now the pieces aligned like a perfect puzzle. With Lucian by my side, everything was wless.


    We roamed the woods throughout the night, hunting and patiently awaiting the opportune moment. The experience overwhelmed me. I had always done hunting into the wild alone, but now, with him at my side, it felt inexplicably different.


    Never did I anticipate enjoying someone¡¯spany to this extent.


    I observed him ravenously devouring a deer, his once pristine white fur now marred by stters of crimson. His paws and mouth were stained red, his eyes gleaming like twin pools, so deep and mysterious that one might fear drowning in their depths.


    We circled one another, our gazes locked, attempting to figure out why we fit together so seamlessly. It was like we were destined for each other, two souls intricately intertwined. I glimpsed a fervent passion and desire in his eyes, a fusion of dominance and submission. Lucian appeared willing to unleash chaos against the world if it meant protecting me.


    The night unfolded, weaving drapes of memories I would forever hold inside my heart. It was a night of serenity that awakened something profound beyond my imagination.


    Leaving that suffocating mansion behind, I had sought freedom, but what I discovered surpassed my wildest dreams. In this fresh start, I found not only freedom but also a sense of belonging. I found a family, true friends, and, most unexpectedly, him. It was more than I had ever wished or imagined, yet a flicker of fear tinged my emotions. I was afraid of bing too reliant on him, of surrendering myselfpletely, for I had learned, through the trials of life, that good things rarelyst. Sooner orter, life has a way of snatching away our happiness. I yearned to protect myself from that unavoidable anguish. Though I once despised Lucian, a strange fondness was taking root. Yes, I dare say I was growing fond of him. My heart pounded with anticipation, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I recognized these sensations for what they were said, an attraction. But even though it felt undeniably right, I knew deep down it could never be. He was an alpha of royal blood and a born leader. Meanwhile, I was once a ve who served and scrubbed floors for eighteen years and became a mere waitress after being banished.


    Even creatures of the night might experience the same dread if they were in my shoes.

 Chapter 46: Where Is She?

    Remus¡¯ POV


    ¡°Monsieur, ording to our sources, they were recently in South East Asia, but now their movements have expanded across Europe,¡± conveyed one of my trusted men. I took a refined sip of bourbon, my mind sharp and focused.


    I am not one to be fooled easily. Emilia and Cerceick the financial means to move from one ce to another, not to mention the absence of their valid passport. Even if they possessed one, I would be promptly alerted.


    I have my men stationed at every airport, spanning the globe. Even if they resort to assuming false identities, my vignt men will not permit them to slip through undetected. Someone is shielding them, and I know who that might be.


    ¡°Any updates on the Reds?¡± I inquired, lighting my cigarette with a calcted air.


    ¡°The Blood Moon Alpha has remained unreachable in recent weeks, Monsieur,¡± responded my loyal henchman. I chuckled softly. Ah, how predictable you have be, young Alpha.


    ¡°Find him as well,¡± Imanded. My henchman acknowledged my orders before discreetly departing from my study.


    Lucian¡¯s brazen fascination with Cercei did not escape my attention. I observed his intense gazes, his eyes filled with desire, and his pitifulck of self-control whenever she was present. I did not witness such enthusiasm in his interactions with Vienna. It seems my eldest daughter has captured his attention.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Nevertheless,  it doesn¡¯t matter. The Blood Moon Pack and the Red Company will serve as my stepping stones to ascend to the pinnacle of power. I will stop at nothing until Lucian is brought to his knees, begging for the hand of one of my daughters.


    The world remains oblivious to Cercei¡¯s existence, my daughter from Emilia, my maid. If word were to spread, gossip would certainly burst. However, those who dare to speak of it in my presence would lose their tongues swiftly. I care not for their opinions, for the lion does not consider the sheep¡¯s drivel.


    Regardless of her legitimacy, Cercei carries my blood within her veins. The endless lineage of the Alpha King courses through her. She is, after all, my firstborn, inheriting my strength, intellect, and power. Disposing of her would be a wasteful act; besides, she¡¯s my pawn and a giveaway bride.


    All the desires that consumed Lucian, the lengths he would go to possess her hand would be advantaged. My task nowy in digging every corner of the world for their whereabouts. Once I have them within my grasp, I will cage them, never allowing them to escape from my clutches again.


    They were never meant to explore beyond the brim of my mansion. I didn¡¯t know Vienna had kicked them out, driven by her severe fury when discovering Lucian¡¯s interest in Cercei. She sought their capture, intending to slowly suffocate the life out of them, enjoying their torment.


    I had to seize them before Vienna couldy a finger on them.


    Abruptly, the door swung open, revealing my younger daughter seething with anger and impatience. Her every step exuded wrath. She forcefully mmed her hand on my table, but I calmly puffed on my cigar, observing her intently.


    ¡°I have waited long enough. Where is she?¡± she demanded with such intensity that it stirred a chuckle from me.


    ¡°Ah, you inherited such a temper from your mother,¡± I remarked, amused. Her mother¡¯s unbearable fits of rage led to her demise, of course, in the guise of Vienna¡¯s birth.


    I could no longer tolerate her constant nagging, the exaggerated threats, and the endless envy towards my maid. Her behavior had spiralled out of control, and I grew weary. So, I poisoned her. It was a simple task, for she possessed both a fiery temperament and ack of wit. After she gave birth, I handed her a cup of water, which wasced with poison. She perished within a minute, restoring calmness to my life.


    Vienna seemed to despise myposed demeanour, only fueling her fury further.


    ¡°You promised me that you would find them,¡± she spat.


    ¡°I am searching for them diligently. They have yet to be located,¡± I assured her, my amusement hidden beneath a gentle facade. Trust me, dear daughter, I, too, yearn to discover their whereabouts. As it turns out, your intended husband shields them, skillfully concealing my detection. Impressive, indeed. I never expected the King in the North to possess such proficiency in hiding.


    ¡°Is that so? Because it appears as though you have no desire to find them,¡± Vienna questioned, crossing her arms before me.


    ¡°On the contrary, my dear. Trust me, I will inform you promptly if any reportse in regarding their whereabouts,¡± I replied softly, and her expression softened. Ah, how simr to her mother-tough yet vulnerable.


    ¡°I will grant you one more week. Should they remain unfound, I will take matters into my own hands,¡± she hastily warned and departed. I leaned back in my chair, musing. I finished my cigarette and casually discarded it on my balcony.


    Emilia, how dare she abandon me. She never seems to learn the consequences of her actions, does she? She was meant to be my bride, but s, shecked wealth and was merely a ve. Yet, I have always believed she was my destined mate. Her scent lingered in my senses alone, and I always smelled it when she was around. However, she didn¡¯t feel the same way towards me and instead expressed her romantic interest in my butler.


    I was forced into an arranged marriage to a business partner with a severe obsession towards me while Emilia and Henr¨¬ built their own little family with my child. How pathetic for them to yearn for freedom, hoping to escape my grasp. Although I never married her, she serves me day and night, living at my beck and call.


    It wasn¡¯t until I discovered their treacherous n to escape that Henr¨¬ forgot his ce. His disgustingck of respect led to his heart being dug out of his chest.


    I thought his demise would bring a sense of closure between Emilia and me, but I was mistaken. Her hatred for me grew even stronger as if it were possible to loathe me more than she already did. She couldn¡¯t bear to look at me. I was infuriated, not to mention the disgraceful scene she caused at the party.


    However, contrary to the ruthless rumours circting, I am a passionate forgiver. I will grant her freedom, but only if she surrenders herself to mepletely.


    Everything will return to its former state. I will obtain everything I desire by any means necessary. And they will all bow before my rule.

 Chapter 47: Anything For You

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°Thank you for tonight,¡± she said sweetly, her messy hair adding to her already captivating beauty. A contented expression illuminated her face, resembling a wolf that sessfully hunted. Well, she had just fulfilled her wish to hunt again.


    ¡°Anything for you,¡± I replied sincerely, eliciting a smile from her. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, fueling my desire to witness that look indefinitely. Oh, how I long to forever immerse myself in its glorious brilliance.


    Seated together in my parked car, just outside her residence, she struggled to release her seatbelt. Out of instinct, I offered my assistance, a wrong decision, truthfully, as it brought our faces inches away from each other. The scent of her essence permeated the air, causing my heart to pound resoundingly in my ears. My gaze fixated on her lips-plump and rosy, yearning to be kissed. She returned my gaze, and slowly, I leaned in.


    As our lips connected, I closed my eyes, a surge of electric sensations coursing through my veins. The kiss was tender and toe-curling, an irresistible taste that bypassed rational thought. Impulsively, I delved deeper, slipping my tongue into her mouth, to which she responded by gently sucking on it.


    My body radiated with intense heat, each kiss growing more greedy and yearning for further exploration. Against my will, I reluctantly withdrew, still dazed by the experience. She looked at me with a lost expression, and I took a deep breath. Damn! I was as hard as a rock.


    ¡°I have to go,¡± she announced, opening the car door alone. I observed as she crossed the street, waving at me briefly before disappearing behind the gate.


    Frustration rushed through me,pelling me to strike the steering wheel. I didn¡¯t want to overwhelm her. I had already done so on the night of our first encounter. It hadn¡¯t ended well. I longed for a slower, more deliberate approach, yearning to reveal my sincerity.


    After seeing her safely home, I returned to the dull hotel where I temporarily lived. The hard mattress provided nofort for my tired back.


    I opened myptop, tending to my work even in this distant location. Mypany depended on me and my team. Mam¨¤, always the worrier, threatened me to set our house on fire if I didn¡¯t return soon. She tended to be exaggerated often.


    I begged her for additional time. If I were to return, I desired to bring Cercei and her mother under my protection. s, they were likely to decline such an offer, too proud to ept help from anyone other than their own kin. Furthermore, I still needed to earn Cercei¡¯splete trust.


    ****


    ¡°The usual order,¡± I winked at her, stimting an eye roll as she made her way to the kitchen to fulfil my request. A smile crept across my face; her spirited nature had an undeniable charm.


    Scanning the caf¨¦, I noticed three men scattered throughout the room. Despite their civilian attire, their quirks were difficult to conceal. I didn¡¯t need to gaze directly at them to know their eyes were fixed on me. My fists clenched in response-well, it seemed I had been found. Congrattions, Lord Remus.


    As Cercei approached, delivering my order, the men¡¯s attention shifted to her.


    ¡°Here, we ran out of the chocte sprinkles you enjoy. I hope you don¡¯t mind the rainbow ones,¡± she spoke, yet my gaze remained fixed on the men, who were engaged inmunication through discreet earbud devices. My eyes narrowed in suspicion.


    ¡°Although I can cover the sprinkles with chocte syrup to make them appear brown, in case you¡¯re ufortable with the colours. Some men feel ufortable as they think it refers to gay, but you shouldn¡¯t. I think you exude masculinity,¡± she continued speaking in front of me. These men were likely armed, and I couldn¡¯t afford to take any risks.


    ¡°Are you listening?¡± She snapped her fingers, redirecting my attention back to her.


    ¡°Do rainbow sprinkles make you feel like gay?¡± she asked, repeating her previous remark. My brows furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°What?¡± What on earth was she talking about?


    ¡°I¡­¡± she began to talk.


    Before she could finish her words, I interjected abruptly, ¡°I have to go. I¡¯ll be backter. Stay here, don¡¯t leave,¡± I said, rising from my seat and swiftly making my way out of the establishment. The three men trailed behind me. I couldn¡¯t allow their attention to shift towards Cercei. I simply couldn¡¯t take that risk. I led them to a secluded corner of the city, void of cameras and people.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve found me, huh?¡± I turned around to face them, a smirk forming on my lips. One of them revealed his firearm, pointing it menacingly in my direction. What a bunch of fools.


    ¡°The boss says we can¡¯t kill him,¡± one of his aplices spoke up.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Oh, please, be my guest,¡± I taunted, extending my arms in a challenging gesture. The man seemed provoked by my words and pulled the trigger. With expert precision, I evaded the bullets as they seemed to glide towards me in slow motion, my eyes keenly tracking their rotation. The remaining two menunched an attack. Both of them were towering figures capable of passing for giants.


    ¡°The boss says we can¡¯t kill you, but he didn¡¯t say we can¡¯t hurt you,¡± another henchman dered, punctuating his words with a forceful punch.


    ¡°Trying to take me down, huh?¡± I tilted my head, swiftly hindering him with a well-ced blow. I subdued all three enemies one by one, though not without sustaining my own injuries. Spitting blood onto the ground, I acknowledged Remus for sending his most challenging men.


    Picking up my phone, which had fallen during the intense fight, I dialed Frank¡¯s number.


    ¡°Sire,¡± Frank¡¯s voice echoed on the other end.


    ¡°What the fuck, Frank,¡± I greeted him, seething angrily.


    ¡°I thought you had thrown them off our trail. They found us. I just took down three of Remus¡¯ dangerous henchmen,¡± I informed him, frustration evident in my voice.


    ¡°Congrattions,¡± he replied grimly.


    ¡°Lord Remus has a vastwork of henchmen. Only a fraction were misled. It¡¯s no longer safe for you to remain there,¡± he cautioned, his words carrying weight. He was right. We couldn¡¯t deceive all of Remus¡¯ men forever. Sooner orter, he would track us down.


    ¡°I need a little more time,¡± I retorted, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth. How the hell would I convince Cercei toe with me?


    ¡°We can¡¯t afford to dy any further. Take her with you as soon as possible,¡± Frank urged, his tone urgent. I let out a heavy sigh, realising the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Prepare the house for our guests, including my mother. I¡¯ll return as swiftly as I can,¡± I instructed before ending the call.


    Turning my gaze to the three unconscious figures, I mercilessly snapped their necks one by one. Summoning my men to dispose of all the dead bodies, I knew Remus would undoubtedly send reinforcements once he realised his tough giants had gone missing.


    It was only a matter of time before he dispatched his men to forcefully retrieve Cercei and her mother, dragging them back to his mansion. Over my dead body, would I allow that to happen? However, knowing Cercei¡¯s stubborn nature, she wouldn¡¯t willinglye with me. If I had to resort to kidnapping to ensure her safety, then so be it.


    I¡¯m sorry, but your safety is more important than yourints.


    I guess time is up. Too bad, I was kinda enjoying our little dates.

 Chapter 48: New Friend

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°I have to go. I¡¯ll be backter. Stay here, don¡¯t go anywhere,¡± Lucian uttered. With a swift motion, he rose from his seat and quickly left. I found myself gazing at his retreating figure, utterly baffled. What could havepelled him to rush off in such haste? He had simply abandoned his meal, left untouched. I shook my head in dismay. What a waste.


    I retrieved his deserted te and returned it to the kitchen, specting that perhaps he had been called elsewhere for an important matter. It certainly appeared to be an urgent affair.


    ¡°Why do you bring back the food?¡± ire inquired as she noticed me clutching Lucian¡¯s tray.


    ¡°He left, probably for some important matters,¡± I replied, casually shrugging my shoulders. She nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Well, peoplee and go,¡± ire mused, a hint of a smirk ying on her lips. My attention shifted towards the entrance as a neer arrived. It was the man I had encountered the other day, donning his ideal attire.


    ¡°He certainly has a penchant for shades, does he not?¡± I remarked. His attire was simr to some models. Is he a model himself?


    He surveyed the surroundings, an amused smile illuminating his face as his gaze swept across the room. Eventually, he settled himself at Lucian¡¯s usual table. His eyes briefly flickered towards the counter, and then he raised his hand. I approached him, notepad in hand.


    ¡°Hello, what can I assist you with?¡±


    ¡°Cercei, isn¡¯t it?¡± he inquired, recollecting my name. Crap! I couldn¡¯t recall his name, for I am dreadfully inept at remembering such things. What was his name again?


    ¡°Yes,¡± I chuckled awkwardly, inwardly wishing he hadn¡¯t posed the question of whether I remembered him.


    ¡°Do you remember me?¡± he pressed on. Gosh, herees the trouble! Why was he suddenly grilling my memory?


    ¡°Um¡­ well¡­¡± I forced a smile, biting my lip in vexation. He arched an eyebrow slightly, urging me to continue. s, I conceded defeat, my smile transforming into an awkward grimace.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m rather dreadful with names,¡± I confessed. I gave up with an awkward smile. He chuckled, thoroughly amused.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I understand the challenge of retaining names during the daily influx of customers,¡± he reassured me with a pleasant smile. I nodded in appreciation. I was relieved that he did not perceive me as impolite.


    ¡°May I request a cup of coffee, please?¡± he inquired politely.


    ¡°Coming right up. Your name again?¡­¡± I trailed off, once more striving to get his name.


    ¡°Vincent,¡± he replied, shing another smile. He seemed to possess an affinity for smiling, a stark contrast to Lucian, who perpetually appeared vexed with the world.


    ¡°Coming right up, Vincent,¡± I acknowledged before making my way to the counter.


    ¡°So¡­ he is¡­¡± ire wore a mischievous smirk as I reached the counter. It seemed she couldn¡¯t resist teasing me, making it an essential part of her day.


    ¡°So?¡± I poured the coffee, not bothering to nce in her direction.


    ¡°I believe he¡¯s interested in you,¡± ire blurted out. I scoffed in response.


    ¡°Oh, please. You think everyone¡¯s interested in me,¡± I remarked, finding her assumption rather ridiculous. She seemed to believe that any customer who smiled at me harboured romantic intentions.


    ¡°Honey, even from afar, I can tell he¡¯s flirting with you,¡± she asserted confidently.


    ¡°No, he wasn¡¯t. He was simply being friendly,¡± I retorted, certain that Vincent harboured no romantic interest. He had reintroduced himself only because I shamelessly forgot his name.


    ¡°Honey, you¡¯re too naive,¡± ire tapped my back while speaking, a gesture that dripped with naughtiness. She shook her head dramatically, as if profoundly disappointed, and even clutched her chest for added effect.


    ¡°Your innocence is both a blessing and a curse,¡± she dered abruptly. Her remark furrowed my brows. What did she mean by that?


    I chose to ignore her dramatic gesture and returned to Vincent¡¯s table to deliver his coffee.


    With conscious care, I ced the cup on his table, capturing his attention as he momentarily set aside the newspaper he had been engrossed in.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he expressed with a smile.


    ¡°Enjoy your coffee,¡± I politely smiled as I finished my task. I was prepared to leave when he called me again.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± his gentle voice resonated. I turned back to face him, observing as he set aside the newspaper and gestured towards the chair opposite him.


    ¡°Join me,¡± he suggested casually. I instinctively shook my head, raising my hands in a gesture of refusal.


    ¡°Thank you, but it is against our caf¨¨ policy for servers to sit with customers,¡± I politely mentioned. Maintaining a professional distance between servers and patrons seemed to be a standard rule in most food establishments.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Why is that?¡± he inquired, his smile still intact.


    ¡°It¡¯s simply part of our protocols,¡± I replied briefly.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it also within your protocols to please the customer?¡± he pressed on, refusing to let me leave. I nodded in acknowledgment.


    ¡°Then, I would be pleased if you took a seat before me, if only for a short while,¡± he dered, making his intention clear.


    I chuckled at his clever maniption of the situation. Without further contemtion, I acquiesced and sat down. I could sense ire¡¯s curious gaze on us, but I paid her no mind. Vincent had proven to be remarkably friendly, exuding politeness and kindness. He engaged me in conversation, though he avoided discussing personal matters.


    As it turned out, he indeed worked as a model in New York, but he considered it part-time work. ording to him, his true work demanded the majority of his time. He viewed modeling as a passion rather than a job. I found his perspective intriguing, as it is rare to encounter individuals who genuinely enjoy what they do, mostly considering their work as a mere responsibility rather than an opportunity.


    ¡°Are you new here? I don¡¯t recall seeing you before,¡± he inquired, sipping his coffee.


    ¡°Yes, my Mam¨¤ and I recently settled here,¡± I responded, providing a concise answer.


    ¡°Do you oftene here?¡± I returned the question immediately.


    ¡°Not regrly, but I have beening here for quite some time,¡± he revealed. I was tempted to inquire about his origins, but I refrained from appearing too interested.


    ¡°Ah, you must like it here then,¡± Imented, attempting to sound casual.


    ¡°Umm, I guess I¡¯ll being here often from now on,¡± he replied with a yful smirk. I simply smiled in response, though the true meaning behind his words was unclear to me. Did he perhaps appreciate the caf¨¦ more due to an improvement in our menu?


    ¡°I am actually a friend of the caf¨¦¡¯s owner,¡± he exined suddenly, catching me off guard.


    ¡°You know Aunt Mnie?¡± I expressed my surprise.


    ¡°She¡¯s your aunt?¡± He seemed equally taken aback. His gaze lingered on my face.


    ¡°Now I can see a resemnce between the two of you,¡± he chuckled.


    ¡°How do you know her?¡± I inquired, my curiosity piqued. Aunt Mnie had a knack for forming connections and was a social butterfly. Before I started working at the caf¨¦, she used to lend a hand here due to a staff shortage. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she knew many people as she had often interacted closely with her customers. Currently, she is fully engaged with her tailor shop above the caf¨¦ with my Mom.


    ¡°We used to conduct business together,¡± he revealed. Although I yearned to inquire further about the nature of their business, I refrained, respecting the personal boundary.


    Our conversationsted only briefly as more customers began to arrive, demanding my attention to take their orders. Vincent expressed gratitude for my briefpany, mentioning that he had merely been ying around but was delighted to have made a new friend. I reciprocate the sentiment, pleased to have encountered someone who seemed genuinely kind. I look forward to having more friends here too.


    I had anticipated the interaction might be awkward as I am not exceptionally skilled at socialising. However, Vincent proved to be an effortless conversationalist, exuding a light-heartedness that banished any potential awkwardness. Despite our short talk, he had a subtle sense of humour, which made our conversation enjoyable.

 Chapter 49: Investigate Someone

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    She radiated with joy, herughter filling the air as she engaged in conversation with that man. Seated across from him, it seemed strange that she would disregard the rule of not joining customers. What the hell is she doing?


    Fury ignited inside my heart, tightening my fist as anger coursed through my veins. Yet, beneath the anger, a pang of pain echoed in my heart. It felt like a lump constricted my breath, or perhaps it was simply the intensity of my anger.


    Observing them through the caf¨¦¡¯s ss wall, I stood just opposite on the street. The impulse to burst in and beat that man flooded through my head. However, I hesitated, fearful of causing a scene that might frighten Cercei.


    My hands bore the red marks of the punches exchanged with Remus¡¯ men. Blood stained my forehead and arms, yet the agony I felt this time was like a sharp sword cutting my heart into pieces.


    Instead of going inside, I turned on my heels and made my way back to that shabby hotel room. Calming myself, I stepped into the shower to cleanse my body.


    As the water dripped over my body, I leaned against the wall, allowing the drizzle to drown out the world. Closing my eyes, I envisioned a myriad of ways to exact revenge on that despicable man. A single bullet to the head? No, that would be too merciful; he didn¡¯t deserve such a swift demise. Perhaps a gradual dismemberment of his fingers, one by one? Or should I whip him relentlessly until his lifeblood spills out, extinguishing his wretched existence?


    A hollow chuckle escaped my lips, devoid of any mirth. What have I be? I never thought I could fall into such madness over a woman, plotting the demise of any man who dares grab her attention.


    She is mine, every part of her being belongs to me. She has already bound her soul to mine, for she is my mate, and I, was her only alpha. I know she belongs to me, and I will ensure she knows it too.


    ****


    ¡°Hello,¡± Frank responded to my call, his voice tinged with boredom.


    ¡°I want you to investigate someone for me,¡± I asserted with utmost seriousness. Having just emerged from the shower, a towel loosely draped around my waist, water droplets still trickling from my body.


    ¡°Who?¡± Frank inquired, catching me off guard. The question baffled me, as I did not know the man¡¯s identity.


    ¡°The man with whom Cercei was talking earlier,¡± I replied.


    Frank, evidently confused, added with a hint of frustration, ¡°Do keep in mind that I am not there to see their interaction, and your requestes across as rather intrusive.¡±


    ¡°Just get it done,¡± I growled, my frustration seeping through my voice.


    ¡°Provide me with any pertinent information or a name, at the very least,¡± he retorted. It was a fair point, after all. How could he investigate without any leads? Wasn¡¯t that the whole purpose of initiating this investigation was to dig for information on the identity of the man I intended to confront?


    ¡°All I know is that he has taken an unwarranted interest in what rightfully belongs to me,¡± I responded, my anger simmering.


    A faint sigh emanated from the phone. Frank possessed excellent technological skills and could breach any system easily. I knew this task would be a walk in the park for him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hack into the caf¨¦¡¯s CCTV,¡± he assured me.


    ¡°I want you to uncover every possible detail about him,¡± I stated intently. The statement may have sounded possessive, but an unsettling intuition tugged at me. This man was no ordinary coffee enthusiast; there was a hidden agenda, and I was determined to expose it.


    Furthermore, I instructed Frank to deploy men to the area. Sooner orter, Remus would dispatch his henchmen to forcibly bring Cercei and her mother back to his wretched mansion. I would sooner freeze hell over than allow that to happen.


    During the ongoing war, I wanted her safety above all else, particrly when I engaged in the battle against Remus.


    I stationed men strategically throughout the city, ensuring her protection even during her wanderings. Unbeknownst to her mother and aunt, they had their own guards too. The caf¨¦ itself was heavily strengthened, with some of my men posing as discreet customers.


    Knowing her fondness for this ce, I would ensure it remained a sanctuary for her.


    Over two months had passed since I left the North and sought temporary shelter in the Crescents¡¯ mansion during that ill-fated engagement. Now, here I was in Dinan, leaving both thepany and my pack being overseen by my mother, who currently harboured some displeasure towards me.


    She called me, nagging about the failed engagement and the ongoing quarrel against the MoonStone pack. I exined to her what had happened, and she seemed to calm down slightly. I continued assisting thepany and the pack remotely through myptop, but I couldn¡¯t remain here any longer. I needed to return, but I couldn¡¯t leave Cercei alone-especially not after what had happened earlier and certainly not in the presence of that man.


    Despite my men diligently circling the city, she could only truly be safe under my vignt watch. I tugged at my hair in frustration. This situation was utterly messed up.


    I found myself torn between my responsibilities as a leader and my role as Cercei¡¯s mate. I had always ttered myself on my ability to multitask. Damn it all!


    I didn¡¯t want to force Cercei; she had only begun to trust me. I didn¡¯t want to rush things. If I were to ask her to apany me and seek shelter under my protection, it would undoubtedly scare her away. That was thest thing I desired-to instill fear in her.


    Paranoia seeped into my thoughts. Throughout my life, I had never known fear. I couldn¡¯t recall a single instance where it had gripped me. I was raised by my powerful and fearless father. There was nothing in this world that could make me tremble. I could im and conquer whatever I desired. I was the one who instilled fear in others. But now, everything was different.


    I now had someone whom I feared losing. I had witnessed the extent of the harm that Vienna could inflict on her. I had seen how Cercei would silently endure every pain inflicted on her. She was too pure, too delicate. She needed me to protect her.


    What if Remus¡¯ men were toy their hands on her? The mere thought sent shivers down my spine. If he were to capture both her and her mother, he would undoubtedly exploit them to manipte me.


    I was no fool. I knew of Remus¡¯ interest in both mypany and my pack. He had been desperately trying to marry off his daughter to me. I had yed along, believing it was Vienna who was my destined mate. It sickened me to witness the depths of his desperation, clouding his judgement as a father and making him a bad father.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I would not allow him to use her as a weapon against me. She may have severed her ties with his pack, but she was undeniably my mate. By right and byw, she belonged to me.

 Chapter 50: The War Has Just Began

    Remu¡¯s POV


    Vienna¡¯s impatience radiated as she queried, ¡°How much longer will this endure?¡± Our breakfast was underway in the open air, yet her restlessness grew with each passing day, simr to an explosive time bomb that would blow any moment.


    With sharp, piercing res, she ran her stare towards me and dered, ¡°You were granted a week, and your time is nearing its end.¡± My attention shifted from the paper in my hands to meet her eyes as I exhaled a plume of smoke from my cigarette.


    ¡°Honey, do indulge in your waffles,¡± I calmly suggested.


    Just as she was about to erupt into a shout, my subordinates approached our breakfast table. They bowed and addressed us in unison, ¡°Monsieur, Miss Vienna.¡±


    ¡°Our men dispatched to Dinan have mysteriously vanished. No reports, nomunication. These were among our most trusted and loyal men. We suspect that they have met their demise.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve also dispatched other men to investigate Lucian Red. He has been spotted walking on the streets of Dinan,¡± the man added, seizing my full attention.


    ¡°Lucian?¡± Vienna¡¯s countenance brightened as she posed the question, tinged with a glimmer of hope.


    ¡°Yes, Miss.¡±


    ¡°Well, it appears they have already been found,¡± I remarked, casting a nce in my daughter¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Dispatch our men to Dinan and retrieve them,¡± Imanded.


    ¡°Monsieur, the city is encircled by Red¡¯s forces,¡± he swiftly responded.


    ¡°Then dispatch half our forces and use any means necessary to bring them back,¡± I eximed, my voice slightly raised.


    ¡°No!¡± Vienna interjected.


    ¡°I believe you have done enough, Daddy,¡± she said sweetly.


    ¡°I will check there alone,¡± Vienna rose from her seat as she uttered these words.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± I knew she possessed a streak of impulsiveness, but I had not anticipated it to be this severe. Going alone would be a suicidal act.


    ¡°Lucian won¡¯t harm me,¡± she announced confidently. I scoffed inwardly, knowing that her persistence would only harm her.


    ¡°Miss, it¡¯s excessively dangerous,¡± my trusted man swiftly interjected. Vienna¡¯s gaze locked onto my henchman, her eyes brimming with a glint of fury, dismissing his opinion instantly.


    ¡°Harming me would ignite a war. He isn¡¯t foolish enough to take that risk,¡± Vienna retorted, and she was not entirely mistaken. Although, one could never be quite sure. She would be fortunate to return unscathed.


    ¡°He has already done it,¡± I remarked, ending the engagement harshly. Protecting and hiding Emilia and Cercei, viting our agreement-Lucian hasmitted far graver offences than merely dering war. He has already set his schemes in motion.


    However, violence is not the sole solution to every predicament. At least not when ites to safeguarding my interests. Thebined might of the Blood Moon Pack and my ownpany would cause the world to quake at their feet. I am confident there must be another path to negotiation.


    ¡°Okay, do whatever you want,¡± I turned to face Vienna as I spoke.


    ¡°I will grant you three days. After that, my men will be dispatched,¡± I added. A smile appeared on her face as she embraced me.


    ¡°You¡¯re the finest, Dad,¡± she said, rushing off excitedly to pack her belongings.


    ¡°Pardon me, Monsieur, but are you sure about your decision?¡± one of my men inquired, his concern noticeable. I exhaled a cloud of smoke.


    ¡°I suppose we will find out,¡± I murmured.


    With Vienna¡¯s presence, Emilia and Cercei would be momentarily unsettled, their nerves on edge. Knowing my daughter, I am confident she will find her way to Lucian. This would induce tension, prompting Lucian to strengthen their security in Dinan, inadvertently leaving hispany and pack vulnerable.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    They would never see iting.


    ¡°Do not send any men with her,¡± Imanded. My subordinates would be preupied with damaging Lucian¡¯s pack while he was busy protecting Cercei and her Mom.


    With Vienna¡¯s presence, Lucian would assume that I n to attack Dinan and seize Cercei. However, my true objective lies in seizing his defencelesspany, obtaining valuable assets, and bargaining for a partnership.


    I must admit, their choice to hide a mere three towns away is nothing short of brilliance. I had mistakenly believed they were hiding in a far-flung corner of the world, an entire ocean separating us.


    This isn¡¯t the first time Emilia has outsmarted me. She has always possessed a sharp intellect, a quality that adds to her allure. I have wasted time and resources when I should have focused on our neighbouring towns.


    ¡°Prepare all our men; the war is fast approaching,¡± I dered, flicking away my cigarette as I issued the order.


    The pieces are finally falling into ce. It won¡¯t be long until Lucian Red meets his demise. All in the name of love.


    His desperation to find his mate will be his downfall. Once I seize everything he holds precious, I will also reim my daughters.


    Killing him would have been easier, but the North wouldn¡¯t ept just anyone as their leader. The Reds hold that title. Thus, we must establish an arrangement that secures his loyalty to our alliance.


    Perhaps through the union of our families. The knot of marriage that binds our packs together. And when the time has grown, when I have earned the trust of the North Folk, I will systematically ditch the Reds, one by one.


    And once I am done with them and have buried everyst Red alive, I will reign forever. Moonstone will ascend as the toughest and most feared pack in the world. No soul would dare to question it. Whispers of my name would ignite tremors of fear.


    And a King will always have his Queen. My beloved Emilia, you will rule by my side, radiating beauty as I dictate the course of the world. Our daughters will inherit all that I have built. When the timees, they will perform a formal conquest to determine who will rule after me and who will upy my throne.


    Many have called me an excessively ambitious Alpha, but they fail to grasp the simplicity of my n. All it requires is for Lucian to buckle under the weight of his responsibilities. Thepany and his pack, or his beloved Cercei.


    It won¡¯t be long until that moment arrives, and when it does, I will ensure I am there to witness it, to intensify his misery.

 Chapter 51: Family Meeting

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Unlike every other day, Lucian was noticeably absent from the caf¨¦ today. It¡¯s hard to put into words, but there¡¯s a real sense of something missing. I grudgingly admit that the caf¨¦ feels so much more vibrant when he upies his usual spot in the corner, indulging in his pancake garnished with cream and sprinkles, pretending to peruse a magazine.


    My motivation has taken a nosedive today; all my smiles have been mere facades. ire must have sensed my dismay, but she refrained from teasing me about it. I¡¯ve somehow grown ustomed to Lucian¡¯s presence, and now I can¡¯t help but feel an emptiness when he¡¯s not around. Could ire actually be right? Could it be that I actually have feelings for him?


    But I despised him, or at least I thought I did. I let out yet another sigh; this is the millionth time today. I was abruptly jolted when the bells chimed, causing my head to snap in that direction. My heart sank when I realised it wasn¡¯t him. It was my Aunt Mnie.


    I mustered up a forced smile as she approached the counter.


    ¡°How¡¯s the caf¨¦ faring, girls?¡± she inquired. She had been scarce at the caf¨¦ in recent months, preupied with her tailor shop on the upper floor.


    ¡°Great! Our customers are always delighted and content,¡± ire chimed in, giving Aunt Mnie a yful wink. She chuckled and then turned her gaze to me when she noticed myck of a smile.


    ¡°I wonder if the servers are as happy,¡± she yfully raised an eyebrow at me.


    ¡°I am happy, just a bit weary,¡± I replied.


    ¡°John, fill in for Cercei today,¡± she called out to John, the janitor. John saluted her and went about his duties.


    ¡°I suppose the caf¨¦ will cope without her watchful eyes,¡± Aunt Meanie remarked, ncing at ire. ire beamed and gave a thumbs-up in response.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel torn. While I didn¡¯t want to exploit my connection with Aunt Mnie, I desperately needed a break today. The caf¨¦ had been exceptionally busy, leaving me with little time to rest. Moreover, my spirits were low, and I knew the reason behind it.


    I made my way to my locker to set aside my apron when Aunt Mnie suddenly appeared beside me. Leaning against the locker, she casually smoked her cigarette.


    ¡°Family meeting, ding!¡± she announced in a sing-song voice.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked, a mix of worry and nervousness creeping into my voice. A family meeting? That sounded rather serious.


    ¡°Hopefully not,¡± I added, my words clipped and brief.


    ¡°Come on,¡± she urged, and without hesitation, I closed my locker and followed her upstairs.


    As I opened the door to the penthouse, I found my mother standing, her gaze fixed on what appeared to be a whiteboard covered in maps and interconnected red strings.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked cautiously as I stepped further into the room.


    Aunt Mnie popped open a bottle of wine and poured herself a full ss. ¡°The caf¨¦¡¯s CCTV has been hacked,¡± she stated calmly, taking a sip. I nced at my mother, who rubbed her chin contemtively while studying the board before her.


    ¡°How did you find out?¡± I asked. If the CCTV had been hacked, I was certain that a skilled hacker wouldn¡¯t leave an obvious trace.


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit of a techie,¡± Aunt Mnie winked at me. My mother reached for the wine ss in Aunt Mnie¡¯s hand and took a sip herself. I looked at them both in disbelief. Were they serious? Why did they seem so calm about this situation? And what was with the borate board? It resembled a n to rob a bank rather than dealing with a hacked CCTV.


    ¡°Could someone please enlighten me on what is happening here?¡± I demanded, my frustration seeping into my words. My mother returned the ss to Aunt Mnie, who graciously epted it.


    ¡°Men are encircling the city,¡± Aunt Mnie repeated her statement, her tone filled with an air of intrigue.


    Confusion knitted my brow.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, still struggling to grasp their implications.


    ¡°Men, and they¡¯re not from the Remus,¡± Mam¨¤ casually mentioned.


    ¡°So?¡± I inquired once more, not fullyprehending what she was insinuating.


    ¡°They could be another enemy,¡± Aunt Mnie interjected.


    ¡°Or an ally,¡± I countered. If there were indeed men surrounding the city who didn¡¯t belong to the Crescents, why should we worry? After all, we didn¡¯t really have enemies. There was only one enemy we were trying to escape.


    Aunt Mnieughed as if my statement was utterly ridiculous while my mother remained serious.


    ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as an ally, my dear sweet niece,¡± she remarked. My mother and I locked eyes. She had never raised me to be distrustful of others; in fact, she always encouraged me to give people the benefit of the doubt, regardless of what I heard or knew about them. But looking at her expression now, I could tell she agreed with Aunt Mnie¡¯s perspective.


    ¡°So, what do we do?¡± I asked them, a tinge of anxietycing my voice.


    ¡°Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst,¡± my mother responded.


    ¡°If they wanted something from us, they would have taken it by now. I¡¯ve been observing them; quite a few are in the city. Some evene to my caf¨¦ for coffee,¡± Aunt Mnie stated casually, settling onto the couch as she spoke.


    Wait, does that mean some of the customers I¡¯ve been serving are spies? I hadn¡¯t noticed anyone suspicious, but perhaps my preupation with Lucian had clouded my judgement. God! And here I thought I was being cautious.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know their intentions, but we must be ready if things go south.¡±


    My mother discussed our escape n in case the odds weren¡¯t in our favour. As I listened, a lump formed in my throat. This city already held a significant part of my life. It was where I found freedom, where most of my first experiences took ce, and where I had gotten to know him better.


    I didn¡¯t want to leave. I hoped we wouldn¡¯t have to. It had only been a month, but it felt like a lifetime, and yet it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    Exhausted from our ¡°family meeting,¡± my mother and Aunt Mnie dozed off on the couch. I fetched a nket and tenderly covered them. Smiling, I observed their slumbering forms. They truly were sisters, and witnessing their relentless support for one another was heartwarming, especially during times like this. Despite the years of separation andck ofmunication, their bond remained steadfast, pure, and brimming with love.


    I had always dreamed of having a sibling, but whenever I tried to make that wish every night, memories of the horrors I endured in that mansion flooded back. All the pain I had endured, all that I had been through. I wouldn¡¯t wish it on anyone, especially not on my siblings.


    Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket, causing my heart to race. I retrieved it and read the message, a smile breaking out on my face like I was floating in a cloud.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Meet me outside ¨C Pancake.¡±


    I snatched my jacket and slipped out as quietly and discreetly as possible.

 Chapter 52: My Lucian

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Lucian leaned casually against the hood of his car, hands nonchntly tucked into his pockets, his messy hair adding an air of rugged charm. My heart danced to a livelier beat in his presence, pumping vibrant blood streams through my veins.


    As I made my way across the street, his gaze locked onto me, his eyes steadily looking at me.


    ¡°Hey,¡± A warm smile curved my lips as I greeted him. However, in return, his smilecked the usual intensity, a hint of unease etched on his face. I couldn¡¯t help but notice a small cut on his lips, a mark that hinted at a deeper disturbance.


    ¡°Hi,¡± he replied, his voice strained, his smile forced. I furrowed my brows, my concern instantly surfacing. This was not the Lucian I knew. Not once had I seen him like this.


    ¡°Is something troubling you?¡± I asked without hesitation, my worry evident in my voice.


    His response was a mere smile as he opened the passenger seat, retrieving a bouquet of flowers.


    Grateful, I epted the offering, appreciating its old-fashioned charm.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured, my gratitude expressed in a few simple words.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± heplimented, gently tucking a few stray strands behind my ear. A blush crept onto my cheeks, and I yfully swatted his hand, eliciting a soft chuckle from him.


    With courteous grace, he held the car door open for me. Goodness! He truly embodied the spirit of a gentleman, as if plucked from a ssic 90s movie.


    Curiosity gnawed at me as I settled into the seat.


    ¡°Where are we headed?¡± I inquired, curiositycing my words.


    ¡°The City¡¯s Center,¡± he replied, and my face fell upon hearing his response. My Mam¨¤ and aunt had warned me about public ces, cautioning me to be extra careful and to avoid crowded areas.


    ¡°I-¡± I struggled to form a word, my uncertainty written across my face. Lucian nced at me while continuing to drive.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked, his gaze filled with genuine regard. I looked at him in hesitation, my Aunt Mnie¡¯s words echoing in my mind, emphasizing the importance of not trusting just anyone. However, Lucian wasn¡¯t just anyone to me.


    The knowledge of our secret was not concealed from him; he was there that fateful night when we made our escape. But should I confide in him? Is it wise to share the details?


    ¡°You can tell me,¡± he urged me. His hand gently held mine on my thigh while the other remained on the steering wheel. He attempted to steal nces at me, but his focus remained on the road ahead.


    ¡°My mother warned me to be vignt in crowded ces, cautioning that unknown men roam the city; their true intentions were concealed,¡± I finally revealed my concerns, the heaviness of the words lifting from my chest.


    He appeared surprised, although not to a shocking extent.


    ¡°They belong to me,¡± he disclosed casually. His words struck me like a bolt of lightning. I turned to face him, my eyes wide with disbelief, while he kept his attention on the road.


    ¡°What?¡± I stammered, struggling toprehend his statement fully. Were the guards patrolling the city streets and lounging in the caf¨¦ under hismand?


    ¡°They are mine. They pose no threat to you; in fact, their purpose is to ensure your safety,¡± he reiterated. My mind struggled to fully grasp the implications.


    ¡°Why?¡± The question escaped my lips, inadvertently revealing a trace of fear. His gaze shifted towards me, captivated by my words.


    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss it when we arrive,¡± he replied, his tone determined, elerating the car¡¯s speed.


    The very guards we had feared were under hismand. They encircled the city, secretly watching over the caf¨¦, even manipting the CCTV system.


    I trusted him. I knew it might sound foolish, but I did. I trusted the man who had whisked me away from the first time we saw each other. I trusted the man who bore the responsibility for our banishment.


    But what if I was mistaken? What if he had been using me all along? Were my previous doubts about him valid? I felt a mminess seep into my palms, a manifestation of my growing uncertainty.


    He pulled the car into the parking lot and courteously opened the door for me. However, as he saw how I regarded him, filled with fear and uncertainty, hisplexion turned pale, and his voice quivered slightly.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t look at me like that, I beg you,¡± his words trembled. Taken aback, I took a step backward, inadvertently dropping the bouquet I had been clutching.


    My eyesnded on the numerous men stationed at every corner of the central park upon looking at the surroundings. There was not a single civilian in sight, only us and his men. An overwhelming sense of terror gripped me.


    ¡°No, baby, please,¡± he pleaded, his voice dwindled to a whisper. He reached out, attempting to grab my arm as I took another hesitant step back.


    ¡°You-¡± Tears welled up in my eyes.


    ¡°They won¡¯t harm you, and I will never hurt you, I promise,¡± he uttered with a resolute conviction as if he were taking an oath.


    Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved his phone and made a call.


    ¡°Leave us,¡± hemanded, ending the conversation. I nced around, witnessing the guards beginning to disperse.


    Unable to find the words to express my thoughts, I felt utterly bewildered. I trusted him, but at this moment, confusion consumed me. Could I truly ce my trust in him? And why on earth were his guards here?


    ¡°Why are they here?¡± I finally managed to voice my question.


    ¡°To protect you. Remus discovered your whereabouts,¡± Lucian disclosed, his words causing my entire being to tremble.


    Monsieur had found us? Had he been searching for us all this time? Foolishly, I convinced myself we had finally obtained peace during the past month. How naive I had been to believe he had released us from his clutches.


    ¡°He found us?¡± I repeated, my voice quivering with sheer terror.


    He gazed at me with tenderness, his eyes conveying a depth of emotion as he nodded. Taking a step closer, he reached out and embraced me, bridging the distance between us.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°I was afraid he would send his entire legion of henchmen here, so I brought mine instead,¡± he exined, his grip on my hand tightening as he spoke.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t be afraid of me,¡± he pleaded, gently wiping away the tears falling down my cheeks.


    ¡°Thest thing I want is to cause you harm,¡± he continued to coax, his words dripping with sincerity. Tears continued to flow, but this time not from fear. It was an indescribable emotion that overwhelmed me, one that my heart perhaps recognized better than my mind.


    Gradually, his face drew nearer to mine, his eyes closing in anticipation. Following suit, I closed my eyes, and as our lips met, a surge of electricity coursed through my body. This was not our first kiss, but it felt more genuine than ever before.


    It was raw, brimming with emotions as if our hearts were engaged in their own conversation. A soft whimper escaped my lips as he delicately explored my mouth with his tongue. I spiralled my arms around his neck while his hands rested securely on my waist and back.


    Our tongues engaged in a dance, an intense battle of passion. At this moment, it was as though the world around us had ceased to exist. All the troubles and worries that gued my mind vanished instantly. He consumed my every thought as he permeated my senses, heart, mind, and every fibre of my being. His name echoed through my veins.


    My Lucian.

 Chapter 53: Chill Lucian

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    After the intensely passionate kiss we sharedst night, the memory alone makes me blush with anticipation.


    Lucian revealed every detail to me. It turns out that Monsieur and Vienna tirelessly explored every corner of the globe in search of us. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised, but a part of me had secretly hoped they had truly abandoned their pursuit. Perhaps I was merely deceiving myself. After all, they were the ones who harshly cast us out onto the rain-drenched streets.


    How foolish I was to entertain the notion that freedom was within our grasp, that redemption was within reach.


    The men we encountered in the caf¨¦ the other day were, as it transpires, Monsieur¡¯s henchmen. This revtion shed light on Lucian¡¯s strange ¡°emergency¡± that day. Moreover, he was the mastermind behind the cunning hack of the CCTV system.


    ¡°Why did you feel the need to hack the CCTV? You had already dealt with them physically,¡± I asked, perplexed by his actions.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t for the purpose of gathering intelligence on Remus¡¯ men,¡± he replied, averting his gaze.


    ¡°Then who was it for?¡± I furrowed my brow in confusion.


    ¡°Tsk,¡± he scoffed, still refusing to meet my eyes. Now my bewilderment deepened. If it wasn¡¯t about those men, then who could it possibly be? I highly doubt any of the other caf¨¦ patrons posed a threat, except perhaps Remus and Vienna¡¯s men. Could it be the other customers? Unlikely. They appeared to be nothing more than ordinary individuals seeking aforting cup of coffee, maybe apanied by a delectable pastry.


    Am I simply being foolish and na?ve? How could I have been so oblivious that those men were faking as innocent customers if not for Aunt Mnie¡¯s revtion?


    It appears I let my guard down far too easily.


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen now?¡± I asked him, my voice filled with fear, not just for myself but for my family too. My mother has endured so much, and my aunt has already built a life here. When Monsieur gets hold of us, he will ensure that we regret every step we took outside that mansion. And Vienna will unleash chaos in this world, making us realise that there are ces worse than hell.


    And then there¡¯s Lucian, supposed ally to Monsieur. Yet now, he stands ready to wage war to shield us from their clutches. I can¡¯t understand what I have done to deserve his staunch loyalty. I¡¯m not blind; I am aware of his affection towards me, but I never imagined it ran so deep that he would risk everything in my name.


    ¡°I know how much this ce means to you, and I¡¯ll strive to ensure it remains a haven for as long as I can,¡± he reassured me, his words prating my heart and causing a lone tear to escape my eye. My father was the only man who had ever truly cared for me, and after his passing, I believed I would never encounter such sincerity from another man. How wrong I was to have doubted him.


    ¡°Why?¡± My voice trembled with emotion.


    ¡°Why?¡± He repeated my question, and his brows furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Why do you treat me with such kindness?¡± I managed to choke out between my sobs. His eyes fixated on mine, searching for a glimpse into the depths of my soul.


    ¡°You know the reason why,¡± his voice carried a hint of frustration.


    I shook my head, although deep down, I had a clue. Yet, I was afraid I had misinterpreted everything, that I had perceived his actions differently from his true intentions.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± I whimpered, tears streaming down my face.


    ¡°You damn well know, Cercei,¡± he murmured, pressing our foreheads together. He gently guided my hand to his chest, allowing me to feel the rapid pounding of his heart.


    ¡°Feel the rhythm of my heart, and you¡¯ll understand the reason,¡± he uttered with heaviness in his voice.


    I closed my eyes as he kissed me again, the intensity surpassing our previous passionate kiss. It was a genuine exchange of passion, desire, and love, an unspokennguage spoken through intertwining tongues. It felt undeniably right as if we were destined for one another.


    ****


    ¡°You look like a lovesick fool,¡± ire remarked, her voice filled with amusement. We were back in the caf¨¦, serving coffee and pastries as usual.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I absentmindedly replied, caught off guard by my own words.


    ¡°I mean, what?¡± I stammered, realising the slip-up a moment toote. A wide grin stretched across ire¡¯s face.


    I pulled a face and reached for a tray to serve a customer¡¯s order.


    ¡°Finally, what took you so long?¡± Lucian remarked, feigning impatience with exaggerated drama. I rolled my eyes at him.


    ¡°Terribleck of respect and service,¡± he teased me with a smirk. I chuckled in response.


    ¡°Sorry, Sir, we seemed to have forgotten your order,¡± I said yfully, cing his pancake garnished with sprinkles and cream on the table.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk,¡± he shook his head with mock disappointment. I rolled my eyes once more, unable to hide my amusement.


    ¡°You know, you could pass as an actor,¡± I chuckled, teasing him in return. He merely pulled a face, the King in the North sitting at my table, bringingughter to my heart. The mere thought of his countenance instilled fear in his enemies while evoking joy in me.


    We were locked in a yful banter when the door swung open, causing my heart to plunge as I recognized who had entered.


    With her red stilettos, form-fitting ck dress, stylish zer, and glistening red lipstick, Vienna strode into the room with an air of confidence. A smile yed on her lips as her eyes met ours, waving as if we were the closest of friends. The tray in my hand tightened under my grip, nearly cracking from the pressure.


    She approached us with excitement, removing her shades and nting a kiss on my cheek.


    ¡°Fancy seeing you here,¡± she uttered, offering me a cloying smile while I likely resembled a terror-stricken shade. I could feel cold sweat forming on my palms. Why was she here? Did she bring her men along? I scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of any guards.


    ¡°Oh, hi, Lucian,¡± she greeted, her toneced with flirtation, yfully waving her hand. Lucian rose from his seat, his expression stoic.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Why are you here, Vienna?¡± Though my insides quivered like a leaf in a storm, I managed to force a high-pitched tone.


    ¡°Coffee, duh,¡± she replied, her hands gesturing as if I were stupid for even asking her purpose.


    Lucian instinctively stood protectively in front of me. Vienna rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Goodness, darling, rx. Ie in peace,¡± she made a peace sign with her fingers.


    ¡°Today¡­¡± she trailed off, her wordsden with meaning. I clenched my teeth; she had the audacity to walk in here as if she hadn¡¯t shattered our lives. I had endured years of physical and emotional abuse at her hands.


    She settled into Lucian¡¯s chair and nced over the menu as if it were an ordinary day. Lucian turned to face me, and concern etched on his features yet offering reassurance.


    ¡°Can I have un pan au choct and a coffee, please?¡± she requested with a hint of a French ent, apanied by a flirtatious smile.

 Chapter 54: I Loved Him

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Well, please proceed, dove,¡± she said, gracefully brushing my hand away.


    Taking a step forward, I was poised to confront her audacity when Lucian discreetly pulled me back, casting me a meaningful nce.


    Inhaling deeply, I grasped the unspoken message conveyed by his gaze. I couldn¡¯t afford to cause a scene in my aunt¡¯s precious caf¨¦, surrounded by innocent bystanders.


    Refusing to grant her the satisfaction she sought, I knew she was merely attempting to provoke a reaction. She hadn¡¯te here aiming violence; she was well aware of her outnumbered status. Even if she hadpanions in this city, they were nowhere to be seen inside the caf¨¦. Lucian¡¯s men discreetly upied every corner, some even discreetly stationed at nearby tables.


    Taking another fortifying breath, I approached the counter to attend to her order.


    ¡°Do you know her? She seems fabulous,¡± ire inquired, her gaze fixed on Vienna.


    Vienna was making coquettish expressions towards Lucian, settled in the chair while he stood before her, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied briefly. The question perplexed me, for I knew Vienna all too well.


    ¡°A friend, perhaps?¡± ire probed further.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± I responded, shortly conveying the truth. ire nodded in understanding.


    ¡°Indeed, I wouldn¡¯t categorise that as friendship either,¡± she remarked, gesturing towards Vienna, who pouted while casting puppy-dog eyes at Lucian. She even dared to reach for his arm, only to have him dodge her touch.


    At this moment, I yearned to thrust the pan au choct into her face and pour scalding coffee down her throat.


    What was her purpose in being here besides deliberately disturbing me? My heart trembled at the thought. It had been an age since Ist looked at her, and her face revived the haunting memories of the horrors I had endured. Had they finally located us? What came next? Would they unleash their wolf-like forces and wage war in this peaceful ce?


    ¡°Thank you, ever so obedient as always. It¡¯s hard to believe I¡¯m saying this, but I do miss your graceful service, my stupid girl,¡± she remarked with a sharp edge. Rage surged through my veins as she invoked the same demeaning nickname she had once used inside those mansion walls.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you return to that wretched mansion you call home?¡± I retorted. A fleeting sh of hurt crossed her features, although she swiftly concealed it, recing it with an even sweeter smile.


    ¡°Your dearest friend longs for your presence, you know. What was her name again?¡± she feigned forgetfulness.


    ¡°Um¡­ Maria, wasn¡¯t it?¡± She deliberately emphasized Maria¡¯s name. The temptation to strike her was overpowering. Truly, the devil assumed many forms, though even associating her with Satan would be an insult to the Lord of Darkness himself.


    She¡¯s the epitome of wickedness, the manifestation of sin itself.


    Her face illuminated with delight, realising the profound impact the mere mention of my best friend had on me. Maria, during my absence, I imagined her enduring literal hell. I was all too aware of Vienna¡¯s vindictiveness; she likely channelled her anger toward us through Maria.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to pass along your greetings to her,¡± she uttered, taking a sip of her coffee.


    I hastily retreated, aiming forfort in the staff room. Tears, which I had struggled so hard to suppress, streamed down my face like an overflowing river.


    ¡°Sir, you¡¯re not allowed here; this area is designated for staff only. Hey, pancake,¡± ire¡¯s voice called out, blocking Lucian. The door swung open, revealing Lucian¡¯s concerned expression. ire stood behind him, attempting to halt his steps. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she respectfully stepped aside, granting us privacy as she observed me crumpled on the floor, consumed by tears.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he knelt down, bringing himself to my level. I brushed away my tears, attempting to regainposure.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I had no idea she had entered the city. The Crescents have numerous connections, even here. I¡¯m deeply sorry, and I swear it won¡¯t happen again,¡± his words dripped with self-me,den with remorse, fear, and genuine worry.


    I shook my head. It wasn¡¯t his fault. I was discreetly acquainted with the ways of the Crescents; I had spent my entire life in their clutches. Monsieur had connections that reached far and wide, exining how Vienna managed to slip past Lucian¡¯s vignt men unnoticed.


    Now, the gravity of the situation truly hit me. I couldn¡¯t rely solely on Lucian¡¯s protection. This ce, this haven, held my heart¡¯s deepest affection. It contained the fragments of redemption in my otherwise forsaken existence. However, I couldn¡¯t allow the battle to spill over into this shelter. Sooner orter, the MoonStone would extend their war banner. I couldn¡¯t bear to see Lucian entangled in a conflict that was never his to fight in the first ce.


    He had already gone above and beyond, forsaking his position and duty to stand by my side, bringing his loyal men and maintaining constant vignce for my safety.


    I couldn¡¯t bear to put his life in danger. Though he possessed strength and power, so did Monsieur. It was time for us to face this challenge independently, just as we always had.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault,¡± I managed to utter between sobs, tears incessantly streaming down my face. Lucian tenderly wiped away the tears that continued to fall, his touch offering fleeting ease from the pain.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Cercei. I promise you I won¡¯t fail you again,¡± he vowed, his words carrying the weight of an unbreakablemitment.


    You never failed me, Lucian, and you never will. But I must end this, for both our sakes. I¡¯m sorry.


    ¡°Leave,¡± Imanded, my voice icy and detached, purposefully averting my gaze, afraid that I might falter.


    ¡°Cercei, please,¡± he pleaded, desperationcing his voice. I gently released myself from his grasp.


    ¡°Leave,¡± I repeated, my tone growing colder. I could barely recognize my own voice anymore.


    He rose to his feet, his movements slow and burdened with regret, while I remained on the floor, huddled in a protective embrace around my knees. I yearned to steal a final nce at him, my heart aching with the realisation of his anguish and guilt. Yet, I forced myself to turn away, feeling as though a vise tightened around my heart, inflicting unbearable pain.


    I had to push him away to spare him from being consumed by the depths of my personal hell.


    He lingered for a moment, gazing at me, before finally departing. Each step he took felt like a knife piercing my heart. It was agonising, yet I knew it was the right course of action. The truth became undeniable as I cried out the words I had failed to express to him the night before. I loved him.


    I had fallen for him without even knowing it, falling in love with the very man I had believed I despised.


    Little did I realise that love was capable of inflicting such excruciating pain.


    I¡¯m sorry, my love, but you must stay away. And if you refuse, then it is I who will step back, even if it tears me apart. I refuse to let the zing mes of my personal battle consume you.

 Chapter 55: She Was Gone

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Leave,¡± her voice, as cold as ice, sent a shiver down my spine, permeating every fibre of my being and bringing me to my knees.


    I tried to beg, locking eyes with her, desperately hoping for a spark of mercy. Her eyes, once windows to her soul, now appeared vacant, devoid of any emotion.


    I am at a loss as to what she thinks or feels this time.


    Eventually, I respected her wish and walked away, but I knew deep down that I would return. I would grant her the time she needed, although not too long. Cercei, patience has never been my forte.


    Gritting my teeth, I exited the caf¨¦.


    ¡°Lucian, wait,¡± Vienna called me from behind, struggling to keep pace in her heels. I just ignored her.


    I retrieved my phone from my pocket and dialed one of my trustedmanders.


    ¡°Join me in alley three,¡± I spoke, my voice devoid of warmth, before ending the call. Vienna continued to trail behind me.


    ¡°Wait,¡± she grasped my arm. I promptly withdrew it, facing her. Anger zed in my eyes, fully aware of every misdeed she hadmitted, not only against Cercei but her entire family. For now, I restrained myself, as it was not my ce, and she was a woman. The most satisfying revenge I could exact was disassembling their damned empire, leaving her penniless.


    Seizing her hand, I drew her into a secluded corner.


    ¡°The next time you dare to harm her, it will be my revenge you¡¯ll face,¡± I warned her with fierce intent, witnessing a glimmer of fear in her eyes.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t harmed her; I merely wanted a cup of coffee,¡± she retorted, denying her obvious ulterior motives.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You know exactly what you¡¯re doing, Vienna. Quit this charade! Trust me, you won¡¯t enjoy the consequences I will unleash against you,¡± I reprimanded, turning my back on her.


    ¡°I will find a way to destroy you, even if I have to burn that wretched woman to the ground!¡± she cried out in desperation, but I paid no attention and moved towards alley three.


    ¡°Forgive me, Sire. I was unable to-¡± I swiftly punched my subordinate before he couldplete his sentence.


    ¡°I explicitly instructed you to keep a vignt watch over anyone entering or departing this city!¡± I erupted in fury, seething with frustration. This imbecile was trying my patience.


    ¡°I did not employ you to offer empty apologies!¡± I bellowed, his head remaining bowed. He held the position of leadmander amongst all the men under mymand in this city.


    ¡°You¡¯re bloody well dismissed! Leave my sight this instant!¡± I growled grimly, running my hand through my hair in exasperation. Utterly useless!


    ¡°Find me a recementmander immediately,¡± I demanded, swiftly retrieving my phone from my pocket and directing my request to Frank over the call.


    If only he were here, this tragedy could have been prevented. Yet, mypany relies on Frank¡¯spetence in my absence. He is the sole individual I can trust in such matters.


    ¡°What went wrong with the previousmander?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°Utterly useless and devoid of any capability!¡± I retorted, my toneced with harshness.


    ¡°I will send Roger immediately,¡± he responded calmly. I took a deep breath, attempting to contain the inferno of rage inside my chest. Oh, how I longed to burn the world with my fury.


    ¡°Vienna has made an appearance,¡± I informed him. Silence permeated the line for a moment.


    ¡°What has she done?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°She provoked Cercei, foisting her to tears and pushing me away,¡± I disclosed, pacing restlessly. I could hear his sigh resonating through the phone.


    ¡°Clearly, she wants to handle her battle against Vienna independently, without involving you,¡± Frank stated the undeniable truth.


    That¡¯s utter nonsense. Who would scorn my alliance? Even the lords would crawl for my allegiance. And yet, she persistently pushes me aside. Does my presence annoy her? Does she despise me? The mere thought caused my heart to crumble.


    Iid bare my intentions and emotions from the very beginning. I never expected her to reciprocate with equal intensity when I confessed my feelings. I simply wished for her to be aware.


    I had prepared myself for this oue, understanding that there was a chance she might not return my sentiments. But that wouldn¡¯t hinder me; I intended to pursue her until she fell for me. However, at this moment, the pain is excruciating.


    ¡°Fuck that!¡± were the only words that escaped my lips.


    I understand her desire to fix this predicament on her own, but should she push me out that way?


    I have endured physical beatings, suffered through gruelling training, and believed myself imprable to pain. Yet, no one prepared me for this anguish. It engulfs me entirely, stifling my every breath as if a perpetual lump in my heart bursts with each passing second.


    I yearn for her to view me as someone she can trust, a pir of support, someone who will always be by her side.


    I returned to the caf¨¦ the following day, anticipation coursing through my veins. Yet, to my dismay, she was nowhere to be found. It was Thursday, not her usual day off.


    Taking my usual seat, I waited patiently, hoping she was merely upied in the kitchen or running behind schedule. Normally, time seemed to fly when she was serving me, but today, it felt like the hours had frozen, the sun lingering in the sky for far too long.


    My gaze remained fixated on the counter, searching for any sign of her presence. s, there was none. I attempted to inquire with her friend,  but she told me she had no idea.


    Is she sick? She rarely misses work. Could fear of Vienna be the cause? I had made certain to banish her from this city. She is no longer a threat; I made certain of that. None of the MoonStone packs remain except for Cercei and her family.


    Across the street, I peered up at their building. Their residence upied the third floor, a wealthy penthouse owned by her aunt, ording to my sources. The second floor housed a tailoring shop.


    The next day, I arrived at the caf¨¦ at my usual time. Yet, it mirrored the previous day, devoid of any trace of her presence. Not even a fleeting shadow.


    Where in the bloody hell is she? I couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. Driven by frustration, I went to the second floor, where the tailoring shop was housed, and inquired about her aunt.


    ¡°How do you know Mnie?¡± the old woman queried, adjusting her sses while diligently sewing a sequin onto a dress.


    ¡°I don¡¯t, only her niece,¡± I responded, my hands tucked into my pockets. She peered at me, adjusting her sses once more.


    ¡°You know Cercei? Are you her suitor?¡± she asked curiously. I cleared my throat, slightly taken aback by her candour.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, meeting her gaze.


    ¡°Well, boy, I don¡¯t know where they are. Mnie has never been a talker. She just mentioned they were on vacation,¡± she shrugged casually. My brows furrowed in confusion.


    They left?


    She left?


    But I had the entire city under my watchful eye. I had men stationed everywhere. How did this escape my attention? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?


    Returning to my amodation, I unleashed my frustration on everything in sight. Damn it all!


    How could she vanish without a single word?


    I understand her fear, which is precisely why I brought an entire bloody army to this city.


    I will hunt you down, and when I do, I will ensure you never want to leave me again.

 Chapter 56: Heading To Greece

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Prepare your luggage,¡± Aunt Mnie burst through the door just as Mam¨¤ and I were seated for dinner.


    Her countenance betrayed her unease and fear, her hands trembling as she opened a drawer to reveal a firearm. My eyes widened in response, a mix of surprise and dread flooding over me.


    ¡°Mnie, what is happening?¡± My mother attempted to maintainposure, but the tension in the room was detectable, amplifying with each passing second.


    ¡°They¡¯re here. I caught sight of Remus¡¯s daughter and a few of their henchmen. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they dispatch an entire army of henchmen,¡± she revealed, her voice burdened with urgency.


    ¡°She was at the caf¨¦ earlier,¡± I confessed. Lucian¡¯s anguished expression consumed my thoughts, causing Vienna¡¯s arrival to slip my mind.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you inform me sooner?¡± My mother¡¯s question hung in the air, leaving me feeling foolish and regretful. I wished I could p myself for my stupidity.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now. Let¡¯s go,¡± Aunt dered firmly, swiftly gathering essential belongings.


    Our bags had already been prepared in anticipation of this moment. We possessed counterfeit identification documents, including passports and driver¡¯s licenses, to conceal our true identities. Aunt Mnie, well-connected within the city, had devised an escape n long before our arrival.


    Through a hidden basement passage, obscured from prying eyes, we made our exit.


    The tunnel led us back to the train station, where we replicated our previous escape strategy. We leapt onto a moving train and concealed ourselves among the cargo boxes.


    As I watched the distant city lights lessen, swallowed by the increasing distance, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a part of me would forever remain suppressed in that ce, no matter how far we journeyed. My mother drew me close, and together we gazed at the receding skyline, Aunt Mnie joining our silent connection.


    Tears streamed down my face as the realisation hit me. Every precious memory shared with Lucian now lived solely inside my heart. I had never disclosed them to anyone, not ire or even to my mother.


    If someone were to demand proof, I would offer them my heart, for it alone held the evidence of our moments together. Only my heart could convey the emotions experienced during those stolen instances.


    Exhausted and burdened, I eventually give in to sleep, cradled in my mother¡¯sforting embrace. The heaviness of my emotions pressed on me, yet I couldn¡¯t muster the courage to reveal my inner turmoil. Even if I dared to disclose it, I wouldn¡¯t know where to begin or how to make her understand a truth I myself struggled to grasp.


    The mystifying voyage of my affection for Lucian remained a riddle to me. All I knew was that I had once despised him-the captivating young wolf who had arrived on my birthday and seduced me till I gave everything to him, resulting in our banishment. And yet, he was also the one who fostered our escape, unknowingly shielding us from harm and gathering an entire army to protect our well-being.


    I never had the opportunity to bid him farewell. I couldn¡¯t express my true feelings or apologise for pushing him away. There was no chance to properly express gratitude for all he had done for me, for us. I yearned for onest kiss, but it remained an unfulfilled desire.


    Having already inflicted him with ample pain, an unspoken goodbye was the least he deserved. Right now, I am consumed with remorse, my dear Lucian.


    In my mother¡¯s tender embrace, she consoled me, unaware of the reasons behind my tears. We wept together, her silent understanding bringing relief to my anguished soul.


    I admired her relentless strength, even in the face of losing my father. Having tasted the bittersweetness of love, I couldn¡¯t understand the depths of her past sorrow nor the weight she carried on her shoulders.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    As the new day dawned, my heart remained heavy. Aunt Mnie roused us from our slumber, dering that it was time to take a leap. What an unconventional way tomence the day. We disembarked from the moving train, leaping into an empty field.


    Rolling on the grassy expanse, I was covered in a tapestry of dried leaves, mirroring the weight of my emotions.


    ¡°Where are we headed?¡± I inquired, my voice tinged with uncertainty.


    ¡°To the airport,¡± Aunt Mnie replied casually, as if embarking on such a journey was an everyday urrence.


    We freshened up and changed in a public restroom, donning clothes that differed from our usual style, ensuring that we would remain unrecognisable.


    Entering the bustling airport proved surprisingly uneventful. Even though there was a multitude of people, we seamlessly blended in, drawing no attention. The forged passports meticulously prepared by Aunt Mnie proved to be our lifeline.


    This marked my inaugural voyage on an airne, a mere sight that I only saw in those movies. Under different circumstances, this journey would have been filled with excitement and wonder. Yet, now, it failed to evoke such sentiments. I harboured no desire to leave.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Aunt Mnie sped my hand as the ne prepared for takeoff. Evidently, she had detected the sadness that had enveloped me, rendering me incapable of even faking a smile.


    I nodded, attempting to assuage her concerns, not wishing her to bear the burden of worry that weighed on my mother.


    ¡°You¡¯ll fall in love with Greece,¡± she asserted, her voice tinged with a light chuckle, an attempt to lift my spirits.


    ¡°Not as deeply as I love Dinan,¡± I replied, attempting a smile. No ce could rival Dinan¡¯s significance in my heart; of that, I was certain.


    The flight progressed smoothly. Despite my fear of heights, I didn¡¯t experience a shred of nervousness. In truth, I scarcely felt anything at all. A pervasive emptiness consumed me entirely.


    I resembled a wandering spectre devoid of purpose. Directionless, my thoughts dissipated into thin air, leaving only a heavy weight in my chest. I moved through life as if burdened by an invisible load, so burdensome that I could barely press onward.


    The flight proved short, or I had be so disconnected from the passage of time that I failed to register its duration. I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to sleep.


    I longed to reach out to him, to call or send a message. Yet, such gestures would fall short of doing justice to our connection, though they were better than vanishing into thin air without a trace.


    However, Aunt Mnie had discarded our phones. We were embarking on a fresh start, erasing our livespletely. It would be from scratch this time, assuming new names and identities.


    The path ahead would prove arduous. Our financial resources were limited, and relying on cards risked leaving a digital footprint that could be traced. Securing employment in a foreignnd posed a challenge.


    Both my mother and Aunt Mnie possessed amand of the Greeknguage, while my own knowledge remained paltry. As for my mother, I knew next to nothing about her. Only a handful of individuals here were fluent in ourmon tongue, but oddly enough, I found relief in this simple matter. Conversations were thest thing I desired at present. This way, I could evade interactions with others.

 Chapter 57: Mission Failed

    Remus¡¯ POV


    ¡°He expelled me, he threw me out, he cast me away!¡± My daughter rushed towards me, her tears staining my chest as she cried.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I inquired, ncing at the guards standing behind her.


    ¡°What on earth had happened?¡± I redirected my question to them.


    ¡°We were forcefully expelled by Lord Lucian¡¯s men,¡± one of them responded. I had anticipated that Lucian wouldn¡¯t idly watch them wander into the city.


    ¡°Hush now,¡± Iforted her, my hands gently rubbing her shoulders as she sobbed uncontrobly.


    ¡°He despises me, and he adores that maid more than anything. What¡¯s wrong with me?¡± She shouted in frustration. I let out a deep sigh.


    ¡°There is nothing wrong with you, my dear,¡± I consoled her, signaling my men to leave us alone.


    ¡°But why can¡¯t he reciprocate my love?¡±


    ¡°You cannot force a man to love you, Vienna,¡± I uttered the harsh reality. Men seldom fall in love, but when they do, no one cane between them. I know this from personal experience. Her mother attempted to interfere in my rtionship with the woman I loved, which did not end well for her.


    ¡°But I want him,¡± she continued weeping. While I may not have loved her mother, I certainly loved my daughter. Observing her in such distress was far from pleasing. I gritted my teeth.


    ¡°Hush, I will handle it,¡± I assured her, gently caressing her head. Even though I may desire you as my ally, young man, if you dare to y with both of my daughters, I will make your life a living hell.


    ¡°Will you?¡± She gazed at me with teary eyes.


    I nodded, assuring her not to worry. I will make sure justice is served.


    ¡°Thank you, Dad,¡± she murmured and embraced me.


    After a while, she retreated to her room to mend and cleanse herself from the ordeal. Meanwhile, I devised a n for revenge. This n had been dyed for far too long, but now I had found the motivation.


    ¡°Initiate the n,¡± I spoke into the phone.


    ¡°Understood,¡± my henchman replied. I hung up the phone and exhaled a cloud of smoke. With Lucian preupied, consumed by his desperate attempts to protect my daughter Cercei and her mother Emilia from a war I never truly intended, he had inadvertently left his vast empire in the hands of his mother and butler.


    I dispatched half of my men to ambush hispany and perhaps acquire a little souvenir-his precious mother. I wonder what he would offer in exchange for her safe return.


    Love truly makes one foolish and blind.


    It is only a matter of time before everything falls into its rightful ce, with Emilia in my grasp and my two daughters maintaining my legacy.


    Patience has never been my strong suit; all I have to do is wait.


    ****


    ¡°I want all thetest bags and shoes of this season,¡± Vienna demanded while we were in the middle of our dinner.


    ¡°Call Bran,¡± I instructed, referring to her personal shopper and designer.


    ¡°I already did.¡±


    ¡°Then why bother telling me?¡± I retorted, taking a sip of my wine.


    ¡°We need your card,¡± she said with a smile. I shook my head and handed her a gold card.


    ¡°Thank you, Daddy,¡± she blew me a flying kiss. Girls can be easily swayed at times.


    ¡°Monsieur,¡± one of my men approached the dining table.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Any updates on the mission?¡± I casually inquired, slicing my steak.


    ¡°Mission? What mission?¡± Vienna interjected, her eyes filled with questions as she looked at me.


    The man appeared hesitant and frightened, fear evident in his eyes.


    ¡°The mission waspromised. Someone betrayed us. The Alpha¡¯s mother is dead,¡± my man reported in a hushed tone. I dropped the utensils I was holding in shock.


    ¡°What?¡± I gasped, stunned by his revtion.


    ¡°One of our men turned against us, and he started shooting at our own men. A stray bullet struck the captive woman. The car exploded, and everyone died,¡± he added, avoiding my gaze. Enraged, I mmed my hands onto the table.


    ¡°Idiots!¡± I bellowed in anger, causing the entire mansion to tremble from the intensity of my voice. I hurled the table and everything on it in a fit of rage.


    Stupid morons. I had given them a simple task, dismantling hispany and taking his mother as a hostage. That was all they had to do.


    ¡°Where is the traitor?!¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Dead, he was in the car that exploded,¡± came his response, but I snapped his neck in an instant. Vienna let out a horrified scream.


    Bullshit! They are a bunch of idiots! I felt my breath grow deep and heavy. My eyes started changing colours, and my ws began to lengthen.


    ¡°Who¡¯s dead, Dad?¡± Vienna asked, her voiceced with fear and confusion.


    ¡°Who the fuck is dead?!¡± she persisted when I ignored her.


    Lucian¡¯s mother is dead, though she was meant to be taken captive, a key to securing Lucian¡¯s loyalty. Killing her was never my intention.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± I hurled a vase across the room.


    This is a bloody mess. I wanted to stir his anger, but not like this. Her mother is the firstborn of the Malroux pack, and now I¡¯ve not only dered war on the Blood Moon but their entire pack, who looks up to them and serves them.


    Now Lucian and anyone who stands by his side will being for my throat.


    ¡°The Alpha¡¯s mother? Lucian? His mother is dead?¡± Vienna pieced the puzzle together, and I simply looked at her.


    ¡°You had his mother killed?!¡± she shouted, causing the servants to depart hastily.


    ¡°The n wasn¡¯t to kill her,¡± I responded, frustration tainting my words. I¡¯m not a fool. Killing her is a death sentence, and now that it¡¯s done, I¡¯m certain Lucian will seek revenge against my entire pack.


    ¡°But she¡¯s already dead, Dad!¡± she cried out in exasperation.


    ¡°I fucking know, Vienna. I fucking know!¡± I paced back and forth, grappling with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.


    ¡°What now?¡± she asked, desperation etched in her voice.


    I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know. I must find allies; I cannot face this alone. Not after what has happened, not after killing his mother. He will unleash hell on us.


    ¡°Fetch Cercei,¡± Imanded. That¡¯s it. She will serve as the new bait. Lucian wouldn¡¯t let any harm ur to her.


    Her life in exchange for our safety. This is a battle I cannot win; I may be desperate, but I¡¯m not foolish. Underestimating his military might would be a grave mistake. His allies cannot be undermined, and the depth of his pain cannot be trivialised.


    ¡°Retrieve Cercei and bring her to me, and if you fail as you did with Lucian¡¯s mother, I will bring punishment on three generations of your family,¡± I ordered my men.


    ¡°I will go to Lucian,¡± Vienna dered as she rose from her seat. I forcefully pulled her back.


    ¡°Are you foolish?! He will kill you!¡± I shouted, attempting to make her understand that Lucian would end her life at the mere sight of her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make him understand. He¡¯ll believe me,¡± she retorted, disying her naivety. I shook my head in disbelief at her delusions.


    ¡°You need to let go of your fantasies, Vienna!¡±

 Chapter 58: I Failed Her

    Lucian¡¯s¡¯ POV


    ¡°Dig every damn city on this continent and the next one before  I put a bullet through your skull!¡± I gripped the cor of one of my men.


    Fools! I hurled the empty bottle against the wall after downing its contents in one go. I enjoyed the searing sensation of vodka trickling down my throat. It¡¯s the sole bloody thing I can feel right now, apart from anger and desperation.


    ¡°Sire,¡± one of my men called out, fear coating his voice. I turned to face him, his body trembling under the intensity of my gaze.


    ¡°We¡¯vebed through every country, city, ind, and nook of Asia, but there¡¯s no trace of them,¡± he spoke cautiously.


    ¡°Then bloody search elsewhere! Leave! Don¡¯t return until you¡¯ve found them!¡± I roared. I won¡¯t tolerate hearing excuses about failure to locate them. Their very goal is to remain hidden, evading discovery. Hence, we must be ahead of anyone else in our pursuit.


    Ipetent fools!! Once all this is done, I¡¯ll make sure to instruct Frank to rece half of my men. Is it truly that difficult to demonstratepetence?


    They are given a simple task, yet they return to me with the exact opposite of what I desire to hear.


    If I could, I would search for them myself. I would explore every crevice of this universe in pursuit of her. However, I am bound to this city; only I am aware that Cercei, her mother, and aunt have departed from this ce. And I will ensure it remains that way so Remus and Vienna still believe they are suppressed here.


    That¡¯s great. I need to find them before Remus knows I¡¯m looking for them.


    I uncorked yet another bottle, the contents unknown to me, and consumed it directly from the container. It seems I have been intoxicated for nearly a week now. In truth, I can¡¯t recall what soberness feels like. I have no desire to remember, for I do not wish to endure the pain while engrossed in this treacherous game of hide-and-seek.


    I can usually handle multiple tasks at once, but in this case, she has left me, so I will need to focus on one thing at a time.


    ¡°Sire,¡± I chuckled, devoid of any spirit as yet another one of my men called for my attention. Pouring the alcohol into a ss, despite having just taken swigs straight from the bottle, I braced myself for another round of potential nonsense.


    Roger, the leadmander recently dispatched by Frank. He has proven himselfpetent thus far; surely, he wouldn¡¯t tarnish that impression now.


    I arched an eyebrow, a silent signal for him to proceed. Unlike my other men who approach me with fear-stricken countenances and quivering voices, this one exudes relentless stoicism. I don¡¯t believe I have ever witnessed even a flicker of emotion appear on his otherwise mysterious face.


    ¡°Thepany came under attack,¡± he stated, sessfully capturing my undivided attention. I held my breath, waiting with bated breath for his next words.


    ¡°Your mother fell victim to an ambush.¡±


    Time itself seemed to halt as my entire being went numb, a deafening ring resounding in my ears. The bottle and ss slipped from my grasp, crashing against the floor. The alcohol coursing through my veins evaporated instantaneously, leaving me abruptly sober.


    My heart swooped as the realisation settled in my mind.


    Mama¡­ she¡¯s gone. I abandoned her, drowning myself in alcohol and work. I promised Father that I would protect her.


    Tears welled up in my eyes, my futile attempts to hold them at bay over the past week proving ineffective now. I had willed myself into numbness, yet at this moment, I no longer possessed the strength to rein them in.


    The King in the North, the world¡¯s toughest and most dominant Alpha, had failed to protect his mother and allowed his mate to slip through his fingers.


    Laughter erupted from my lips. I had believed nothing could possibly worsen after her departure, and yet, life had just proved me wrong in the most wretched of ways.


    That very night, I took flight, returning to our ancestral mansion.


    Her lifeless body had been recovered, but the damage was severe. A closed casket would be necessary. I stared at the sad brown wooden casket before me.


    Instructing everyone to leave, I remained alone with her, locked in grave connection.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mama,¡± my voice cracked, the weight of grief and guilt pressing on me. I sank to my knees, clutching her casket with trembling hands.


    ¡°I failed you. I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I whispered, shattered and utterly exposed.


    I had failed her, failed Papa, failed all those who regarded me as their Alpha. I had lost the woman who had cared for me more than herself, who had been a steadfast presence in every single moment of my existence.


    So much time I spent pursuing my own happiness, even when she pleaded for me to return, even when she supported my decision to search for my mate.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She must have endured immense pain as life slipped through her grasp.


    I will never find forgiveness for myself for losing you.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lucian. I failed in protecting her,¡± Frank knelt before me inside the study room. His face bore the marks of bruises and cuts, his arm wrapped in bandages. He was the sole survivor of the same ambush.


    He held himself responsible for breaching his oath to protect this family. Rarely does he address me by my name, yet now he does.


    ¡°It is all my fault,¡± I confessed. The me rests solely on me. I should have never left her side; this tragedy would not have unfolded. I could have protected her, and she would still be here, reprimanding me with a gentle tug of my ears.


    Uncle John and Edward attended her funeral. She now rests in the crypt beside my father, alongside our ancestors.


    ¡°That statue fails to capture her essence,¡± Uncle Edward uttered a mournful observation.


    He was right. It failed to convey even a fraction of her beauty. We stood by her grave, hands nestled in our pockets.


    ¡°They will pay for this,¡± Uncle John dered through clenched teeth. I looked at him and gave a slight nod of agreement.


    They can never truly pay. Nothing in this world can equate to the value of my mother¡¯s life. Even if I were to exact vengeance on every single one of them, it would never be enough.


    Yet, I will ensure they suffer, that they beg for death, and that every sin they havemitted fills them with remorse.

 Chapter 59: Nicholas Friendly Gesture

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°How has your day been?¡± Mam¨¤ inquired, gently cing her bag on the couch and pouring herself a ss of wine. She had just got off work.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I replied quickly, avoiding her gaze.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to work, you know. You can stay here and rx, watch some TV,¡± she suggested, studying me closely. We had been living here for two months now. Mam¨¤ had found a job at a local coffee shop, while my Aunt worked at a casino. My Aunt usually came home veryte, whereas Mam¨¤ would return at 8 in the evening.


    ¡°I don¡¯t enjoy being idle; besides, I don¡¯t even understand the TV. I don¡¯t speak Greek,¡± I gestured toward the small television set in our apartment. I, too, had found a job as a dishwasher at a small restaurant down the street. Initially, I intended to apply as a waitress, but being unable to speak or understand the localnguage caused a challenge. Being a dishwasher, however, required minimal conversation. I simply excelled at cleaning, a skill I had honed throughout my life.


    ¡°Is there something you wish to share with me, Cercei?¡± My mother approached me, and I met her gaze without saying a word.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seemed truly down since we arrived here,¡± she remarked, her eyes filled with worry. I noticed that she had aged a bit, with wrinkles etched on her face and bags under her eyes, likely due to the stress of running away from her obsessive boss.


    ¡°Am I expected to be happy?¡± I retorted with a hint of sarcasm. There wasn¡¯t a single thing happening at the moment that warranted a smile. I was weary of being so powerless, constantly on the run from people who would stop at nothing to ruin my life. Feeling insignificant and helpless, mere pawns in the hands of monsters.


    ¡°You know what I mean,¡± she sighed. She was right-I had been feeling incredibly low ever since we arrived here. Every day, every minute, I couldn¡¯t help but think of him. He invaded my thoughts even as I scrubbed tes. His corrupting presence permeated every fiber of my being, making it difficult for me to function.


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to be happy,¡± I stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°Oh, mon cher¨¬,¡± she tenderly patted my head. Tears welled up in my eyes as I heard the nickname Pap¨¤ used to call me. It had been a long, long time since I had heard those words. I embraced her tightly, seekingfort in her warmth.


    I had thought that I had exhausted all my tears from incessant weeping, but it seemed that the pain only intensified. Crying didn¡¯t offer any relief; it only deepened my pain. Pap¨¤ used to tell me that shedding tears would make everything better, but it didn¡¯t. Each day blurred into the next, a monotonous cycle of waking up, working, and sleeping. There were moments when paranoia crept in, a nagging fear that Monsieur¡¯s henchmen were lurking nearby, ready to seize us.


    Despite growing up in a challenging environment, I had always clung to optimism. Yet, in this current state, I couldn¡¯t understand the purpose of waking up at all.


    ¡°I miss Pap¨¤,¡± I confessed through my tears, and Mam¨¤¡¯s eyes welled up in response.


    ¡°Me too, me too,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling, as she continued to stroke my hair while I rested my head on her chest.


    ¡°I just wish he were here,¡± I continued, my voice choking with emotion. If he were here, everything would be different. I wouldn¡¯t be engulfed by this overwhelming sadness. Pap¨¤ always had a way of bringing smiles back to our faces.


    Mam¨¤ remained silent, tears streaming down her face silently, as she often did.


    After our little crying session, Mam¨¤ cooked dinner, and we shared a meal together. Aunt Mnie couldn¡¯t join us tonight as the casino was a busy evening, especially during the weekend.


    After dinner, I retreated to my room and freshened up. Standing on the tiny balcony, I gazed at the twinkling city lights. Greece was undeniably beautiful, almost ethereal. Its culture, people, and architecture held a mesmerising charm. This ce would have easily be my favourite if it weren¡¯t for Dinan.


    The next morning arrived, and I found myself falling into the familiar routine. Breakfast, followed by heading off to work.


    Loneliness enveloped me; I longed for the presence of a friend. I missed Maria, I missed ire. As much as I yearned to make new acquaintances,munication proved to be a barrier. Mam¨¤ and Aunt Mnie had attempted to teach me Greek, but it wasn¡¯t the easiestnguage to grasp. I knew a smattering of basics, enough to pass certain situations or extricate myself from trouble.


    ¡°Viaste¨ªte, kathar¨ªste kai aft¨® [Hurry up, clean this as well],¡± one of the girls who worked there, Anastasia, snapped at me as she dumped a mountain of dirty dishes on the counter. Her words were iprehensible to me, but her demeanour made it clear that she wasn¡¯t the friendliest person. Rolling her eyes, she walked away, leaving me with the towering stack of tes.


    I let out a weary sigh, gazing at the precarious heights of the dishes, taller than me. I had been trying so hard not to break any, and on one asion, Anastasia had reported me to the manager. Surprisingly, he didn¡¯t get angry with me, and it clearly infuriated Anastasia.


    That¡¯s why I kept my distance from her. I didn¡¯t want any more conflicts in my life. I already had enough chaos to contend with. She could hate me all she wanted and make me clean countless dishes. I wouldn¡¯tin. After all, it was my job.


    The restaurant closed earlier than the others, at 7 pm. I stretched my sore back and arms, my entire body aching from the day¡¯s work.


    ¡°Are you heading home already?¡± Nichs¡¯s voice startled me from behind. He was the manager, and fortunately, he spoke English, although his ent sometimes made it challenging to understand him.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, ncing around to see that most of the other workers had already left, leaving only a few people to finish up their tasks.


    ¡°Let me give you a ride home,¡± he offered kindly.


    ¡°Thank you, but it¡¯s alright. I don¡¯t want to trouble you,¡± I said shyly. Nichs had been exceptionally kind to me ever since I started working here. No matter how many tes I identally broke or when Anastasiained about me, he always showed understanding. I truly appreciated his support.


    ¡°Oh, please, I insist. I live in the same apartment block,¡± he insisted, shing a warm smile.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I eventually agreed. I didn¡¯t want to offend him; truthfully, I was too exhausted to walk home anyway.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Put this on,¡± he handed me a helmet. I fumbled with it, trying to figure out how to secure it when he stepped forward and deftly fastened it for me.


    ¡°There you go,¡± he said with a smile, which I returned, albeit wearily.


    Nichs was likely in his early twenties, managing the restaurant because he was the owner¡¯s son. I could tell he was good at his job-so far, the restaurant had received rave reviews for its excellent customer service. He was also genuinely kind and friendly.


    Perhaps it wouldn¡¯t hurt to befriend him. Besides, he was one of the few people I had been conversing with besides my family.


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs,¡± I expressed my gratitude as I removed the helmet, handing it back to him when we arrived at my destination.


    ¡°My pleasure,¡± he replied with a warm smile.

 Chapter 60: Unleashing Her Beast

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°What about Asia?¡± I overheard my mother and Aunt Mnie discussing, their eyes fixed on a map spread across the dinner table.


    ¡°Asia? That¡¯s situated on a different continent, Emilia,¡± Aunt Mnie remarked, her gaze lingering on the map. I put down my bag, announcing my arrival.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I greeted them, their attention finally turning towards me.


    ¡°Oh, sweetie, your dinner is in the fridge,¡± Mam¨¤ pointed towards the refrigerator.


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely the point, Mnie. If we must flee, we should go far,¡± Mam¨¤ asserted. I opened the fridge and retrieved my meal, cing it in the microwave.


    ¡°Asia is quite a distance away; it¡¯s bound to be costly,¡± Aunt Mnie voiced, settling into her chair.


    ¡°I¡¯m confident we can secure the necessary funds,¡± Mam¨¤ replied with relentless decision.


    ¡°Are we running away once again?¡± I interjected. Both of them turned their gazes on me simultaneously.


    ¡°We are indeed on the run,¡± Aunt Mnie responded bluntly.


    ¡°Have we been discovered?¡± I asked, a tinge of anxiety creeping into my voice.


    ¡°Not yet, and it must remain that way. We must continue evading capture. We¡¯ve lingered here for far too long; I suspect it won¡¯t be long before they find us,¡± she exhaled a cloud of smoke from her cigarette.


    She was right. Our stay here had been extended, surpassing even the duration we spent in Dinan. Mam¨¤ nced at me as the microwave emitted a beep, signaling that my dinner was ready. I retrieved my meal and returned to the conversation.


    ¡°We must go hunting,¡± Mam¨¤ suddenly suggested.


    ¡°It¡¯s been too long. We require sustenance to maintain our strength,¡± she added. We had been masking ourselves as ordinary individuals for far too long now, solely relying on store-bought meat. It had been ages since we¡¯ve transformed.


    ¡°Countless moons have passed already. Tomorrow night, under the full moon, I know a suitable location,¡± Aunt Mnie suggested.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t we attract attention?¡± I voiced my concern. This city is teeming with people, and I haven¡¯t encountered any forests or untamednds. We live by a vast sea.


    ¡°It¡¯s on a separate ind,¡± Aunt Mnie casually exined while my mother¡¯s brow furrowed.


    ¡°Another ind?¡± Mam¨¤ nced at my aunt.


    ¡°It¡¯s abundant in prey and empty of civilians,¡± Aunt Mnie responded briefly.


    ¡°How will we reach there?¡± Mam¨¤ pressed on, seeking further rification.


    ¡°A boat?¡± She sarcastically retorted, causing Mam¨¤ to shake her head. Well, we have no other choice. We have remained strong; connecting into our wolf form grants us strength. Sometimes, we have to unleash our inner beast.


    ****


    ¡°Syngn¨®mi pou ¨¢rgisa  [ Sorry I¡¯mte ],¡± I attempted to pronounce it as clearly as possible. I asked my aunt how to say ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte¡± in Greek because I was indeed veryte.


    We stayed up all night nning our next destination and discussing the hunt.


    ¡°I akr¨ªveia ed¨® ektim¨¢tai idia¨ªtera, tin ep¨®meni for¨¢ k¨¢nte kalytera  [ Punctuality is highly valued here, do better next time ],¡± Anastasia responded with a smug expression. I looked at her, perplexed.


    ¡°Xeko¨²rase tin anastas¨ªa tis [ Go easy on her, Anastasia ],¡± Nichs suddenly appeared, casting a gentle gaze on me. Anastasia rolled her eyes and walked away.


    ¡°Sorry about her,¡± he apologizes.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s my fault,¡± I smiled at him. It was irresponsible of me to arrivete for work while my colleagues arrived early.


    ¡°Nah, we all get a little dyed sometimes,¡± he chuckled. I didn¡¯t want to take advantage of Nichs¡¯ kindness towards me. I didn¡¯t want others to perceive it as unfair. He treated everyone kindly, but he showed me some extra kindness. I didn¡¯t want to read too much into it, but I sincerely appreciated those withpassionate hearts. Such individuals are rare these days.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you get to work,¡± he said, heading towards his office. I could sense the envious res from some of my female coworkers as he departed, but I chose to ignore them.


    Nichs is kind and handsome, so it¡¯s only natural for these women to be attracted to him. Even the customers have a crush on him. Don¡¯t worry,dies, my heart already belongs to someone else.


    Anastasia¡¯s malicious treatment towards me had escted throughout the day, with other girls joining her in their quest to make my life miserable. I didn¡¯t bother toin; instead, I kept my mouth shut and epted every task they assigned me. If there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned in life, it¡¯s that silence is often the wiser choice.


    They can¡¯t harm me, at least not any more than I have already endured. I have witnessed worse and experienced worse. Vienna had ensured that. All these mean-spirited games they yed meant nothing to me.


    The day ended with the familiar ache in my back. Nichs kindly offered to drive me home again, but I politely declined, exining that I had important things to do.


    And that was the truth. After my shift, I went straight to the port, where my mother and Aunt had rented a boat.


    ¡°Do you know how to manoeuvre a boat?¡± I asked Aunt Mnie, taken aback by her response; she flicked her cigarette away and winked.


    ¡°I know many things,¡± she replied with a mischievous grin. Mam¨¤ yfully rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Except riding a bike,¡± Mam¨¤ added. Aunt Mnie pulled a face, and we allughed at their yful banter. Despite being in their forties, they still squabble like children.


    ¡°Buckle up,¡± Aunt Mnie instructed. The boat ridested a mere twenty minutes and was rtively short.


    We arrived on an uninhabited ind surrounded by untamed wilderness. I deeply inhaled the refreshing air and smiled, revealing my fangs. Finally, I could indulge in hunting, something I had missed dearly.


    When the clouds parted, revealing the radiant full moon, we fully transformed into our wolf forms. The sound of bones shifting and low growls brought me satisfaction, a feeling I had yearned for. After the transformation, we raised our muzzles to the sky and howled in unison. The sound signified our connection with our inner beasts, a howl of hope, strength, and power.


    Swiftly, we sprinted deep into the ind¡¯s heart, feeling the gentle, salty breeze brushing against every strand of our fur. Aunt Mnie had been right; the ind teemed with prey.


    Moving stealthily and with caution, I concealed myself among the bushes, fixated on a wild pig feasting on something. Without hesitation, I pounced, seizing its neck and devouring its flesh while it cried out in agony.


    I let out a triumphant howl, crimson blood dripping from my mouth, staining my fur. Flesh and blood, the beast within me had emerged. I channelled all my pain into strength and agility, bing a superior hunter. I had never hunted with such wild abandon, hunger, and mercilessness. Every cry of my prey resonated like a symphony in my ears. It was the only time I felt truly powerful. No longer was I the one running, scared and desperate for survival. I was the one in control, the one who decided, who lived, and who perished.

 Chapter 61: Till We Meet Again

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    After our thrilling huntst night, we woke up on the ind, our bodies bare and smeared with blood stains.


    A surge of satisfaction coursed through me, filling me with a rare sense of contentment and strength that I hadn¡¯t experienced in ages.


    Mam¨¤ handed us garments, and we quickly changed before leaving the ind.


    ¡°That was utterly fucking wonderful,¡± Aunt Mnie chuckled, clearly sharing in my profound gratification.


    ¡°Mnie, mind yournguage,¡¯ scolded my mother, though she couldn¡¯t help but let out augh.


    As the sun rose, we arrived at the port where the boat¡¯s owner awaited our return.


    ¡°Efcharist¨®, Ant¨®ni [ Thank you, Antonio ],¡± Aunt Mnie warmly patted his back. While making our way back home, Mam¨¤ abruptly pulled us down to the ground.


    ¡°Emilia, what the fuck¡­¡± Mam¨¤ swiftly covered my aunt¡¯s mouth, her gaze fixed on the ck-suited men roaming the area.


    My eyes widened, and fear constricted my heart. I must have been as pale as a ghost. They had found us! Did they catch sight of us?


    ¡°Remus¡¯ henchmen,¡± Mam¨¤ uttered through clenched teeth. Aunt Mnie urgently dialed a number on her mobile.


    ¡°Did they spot us?¡± I whispered, as if the slightest sound might carry to their ears. The men were already on the road while we remained by the port, preparing to ascend the stairs.


    ¡°No, but we must exercise caution. Mnie!¡± My mother called out to my aunt, who was absorbed in her conversation.


    ¡°Prepare the ne. We¡¯re on our way,¡± she dered, finishing the call.


    ¡°We must flee this country,¡± she announced, her gaze fixed on us. My mother and I exchanged nces, and she gently grasped my hand, and I subtly nodded in agreement. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the trials ahead.


    Aunt Mnie deftly led us along an alternative route, steering clear of the main roads where Monsieur¡¯s men patrolled. She possessed an intimate knowledge of the city, having meticulously familiarised herself with every nook and cranny in preparation for our escape.


    We made no effort to retrieve our belongings from the apartment or bid farewell to anyone-it seemed petty in the current circumstances. Remus¡¯ henchmen had already encircled the city,bing through every inch, leaving us no choice but to manoeuvre another way, evading their watchful eye stealthily.


    ¡°We should split up,¡± I suggested, attempting to create a n. My mother vehemently shook her head in disagreement.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Absolutely not!¡± she retorted, her protest scarcely concealed.


    ¡°If we remain together, they will undoubtedly find us. We must blend in,¡± I exined, urging my mother to understand.


    ¡°She¡¯s right, Emilia,¡± Aunt Mnie interjected, her hand gently sping my mother¡¯s arm. Tears welled up in Mam¨¤¡¯s eyes, and I did my best to offer reassurance.


    ¡°Let¡¯s meet at the south port, at the yacht restaurant. Board that vessel, no matter what obstacles lie in your path. Do you understand?¡± Aunt Mnie spoke unyieldingly, to which we nodded in unison.


    ¡°It departs in one hour. Promise me that you will board on it,¡± she said, casting an anxious nce in our way.


    ¡°I promise,¡± my mother and I simultaneously affirmed. Embracing one another briefly, we parted ways. Mam¨¤ turned left, and I turned right while Aunt Mnie continued straight ahead.


    We had a mere hour to reach the south port undetected. Spotting a local vendor, I hastily stole a scarf and a pair of shades. I knew I would have to make amends with my conscienceter; at present, my priority was to conceal my identity.


    I wrapped the scarf around my face and neck, donning the shades as an added disguise. With half my face obscured, it would require a discerning gaze to recognize me.


    Covering long distances on foot was unfeasible. I couldn¡¯t resort to stealing a car either, as my driving skills were sorelycking. Panic gripped me as time ticked away. But then, a realisation struck me like lightning.


    Nichs! I must make my way to his restaurant.


    Entering the establishment with the gait of an ordinary patron, I selected a table and took a seat.


    ¡°Kalim¨¦ra, e¨ªmai o ser sas gia s¨ªmera. Ti na sas p¨¢ro [ Good morning, I¡¯m your server for today. What can I get you? ]?¡± Anastasia greeted me with a sweet smile, oblivious to my true identity. This was a fortunate turn of events.


    ¡°Could you fetch your manager, please?¡± I requested curtly, her brows furrowed in confusion at my words.


    ¡°Get me your manager,¡± I repeated, growing impatient with her lingering presence. Rolling my eyes, I stood up and went to Nichs¡¯ office, wasting no further time.


    Anastasia attempted to block me, but I paid no attention to her pleas. Bursting through Nichs¡¯ office door, he sprang to his feet, momentarily startled from hisputer work.


    ¡°Syngn¨®mi Nik, prosp¨¢thisa na ti stamat¨ªso [I¡¯m sorry, Nichs, I tried stopping her ],¡± Anastasia exined apologetically behind me, her words barely registering with Nichs. I removed my shades, allowing him a clear view of my face.


    ¡°Bor¨® na to front¨ªso, bore¨ªte na fygete t¨®ra [ I can take care of this, you can go now ],¡± he dismissed Anastasia, though his gaze remained fixed on me. She left, closing the door behind her.


    ¡°I need your help,¡± I pleaded urgently, leaving no room for hesitation. Shyness had no ce in the face of imminent danger. Nichs furrowed his brow, still struggling to grasp the situation. After all, in his eyes, I was merely a humble dishwasher in his kitchen.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± he trailed off, clearly perplexed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to exin. Can you take me to the south port, please? I must leave,¡± I pleaded, desperation etched across my features. His gaze lingered on me for a moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always sensed there was something about you. Let¡¯s go,¡± he dered, swiftly grabbing his helmet. A wave of relief flooded my heart.


    We raced towards the south port with Nichs at the helm of his motorcycle. I clung tightly to him as he manoeuvred through the streets with incredible speed.


    Upon arrival, I removed my helmet, my eyes scanning the surroundings. Men continued to patrol the area, but we remained inconspicuous, likely mistaken for a couple in their daily routines.


    ¡°Thank you, Nichs, for everything,¡± I expressed my gratitude genuinely, returning his helmet.


    ¡°I wish I could exin, but I don¡¯t have time. I must go,¡± I conveyed my regrets, meeting his gaze with an apologetic look.


    ¡°Then you better enlighten me when we meet again,¡± he responded, a gentle smile ying on his lips. I mirrored his smile, cherishing the brief connection we had formed. I hugged him tightly, and he soothingly rubbed my back before we parted ways. With a heavy heart, I made my way towards the waiting ship.


    ¡°Till we meet again,¡± he called out, his voice carrying over the sound of the surroundings. I waved at him tearfully, grateful for his friendship. He had been my closest confidant in this foreignnd, one of the kindest and most remarkable individuals I had encountered. Regret flooded my being for not engaging with him during my time here, only to show up at his office and beg him for a ride. He was right; till we meet again. I hoped for that day toe when I could reveal the truth.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I attempted to maintain an air of normalcy as I approached the ship. However, my heart pounded uncontrobly, threatening to burst from my chest when one of the men approached me but ultimately passed by without suspicion. That was close.


    Now, all I could do was hope that my mother and aunt had already arrived at the designated meeting point.

 Chapter 62: Thinking Of Jumping Into The Deep Ocean

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    My heart raced with trepidation as one of the men diligently inspected every individual embarking and disembarking the ship. Instinctively, I contemted turning away, but another group of men stood behind me, closing off any retreat.


    Feeling a pang of desperation, tears threatened to well up as I realised there was no way out. I found myself wholly dependent on a mere scarf and sunsses to maintain a semnce ofposure, striving not to draw unnecessary attention to myself.


    As I approached the scrutinising man, my heart pounded louder and more vigorously. His gaze bore into me, causing cold sweat to form on my forehead.


    A sigh of relief involuntarily escaped my lips when, finally, he averted his eyes. I mustered a faint smile, relieved that I had managed to get on board. Now, I needed to find my Mam¨¤ and Aunt. Were they already here? The ship was poised to set sail.


    The sound of the horn signalled the imminent departure. ncing around anxiously, I searched for their familiar faces.


    Engrossed in my search, I suddenly collided with someone, causing my sunsses to tumble and get crushed underfoot. Adding to my misfortune, a gust of wind whisked away my scarf. Cursing under my breath, I attempted to conceal my face, but one of the men had already spotted me. He gestured and murmured to his fellows.


    Shit! I quickly changed direction, attempting to blend in among the numerous passengers. The sheer volume of people on board provided some cover, but it made finding my aunt and mother nearly impossible.


    Dodging away from the direction where I saw more of Monsieur¡¯s men, I found myself on the second deck, only to realise that I had inadvertently trapped myself.


    Where was my mother? My frantic eyes scanned the surroundings, but no one seemed aware of the dire situation unfolding. I have always ttered myself with my vignce and astute decision-making. Still, now, in this critical moment, I felt utterly lost and unsure of how to escape this difficult predicament.


    My gaze was fixated on the churning waters below. The ship surged forward, tempting me to jump, but the distance from the port made me nervous. What if exhaustion overcame me, and I drowned in the vast expanse? The dark green water stirred fears of its depth, but surrendering to my captors was not my option. I¡¯d rather face the uncertainty of the open ocean than return to that wretched mansion.


    My determination almost drove me to leap off the railings, but just as I prepared to escape, a force pulled me back.


    ¡°Cercei, what on earth are you doing?¡± Aunt Mnie¡¯s wide-eyed exmation greeted me, and I clung to her in relief. She was here!


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mam¨¤?¡± I asked, my gaze darting behind her.


    ¡°Were you seriously thinking of jumping?¡± She disregarded my question, and I swallowed the confession. Yes, I was, but I couldn¡¯t find the words to admit it.


    ¡°Monsieur¡¯s men had us cornered,¡± I cried, and Aunt Mnie instantly embraced me, offeringfort and reassurance.


    ¡°Hush now. We don¡¯t have much time,¡± she urged, grasping my hand firmly. Together, we sought out my mother on the lower deck. When we finally reached her, she embraced me tightly, trembling with fear.


    ¡°Oh, Cercei, thank goodness you¡¯re safe,¡± she murmured, nting a tender kiss on my forehead, her emotions visibly overwhelming her.


    ¡°Yeah, she was about to take a plunge,¡± Aunt Mnie interjected yfully, and I shot her a reproachful look. Snitch! Mam¨¤ eyes widened in shock upon hearing the revtion.


    ¡°What?¡± Her voice rose, demanding an exnation. I sheepishly smiled, trying to divert the focus.


    ¡°We have to go,¡± I redirected the conversation abruptly.


    Aunt Mnie¡¯s friend, the owner of this very ship, hade to our assistance. He allowed us to borrow his speed boat for a swift escape from the lower deck. It was a much more reasonable n than attempting a dangerous swim to another ind.


    We steered the speed boat with ruse, thanks to Aunt Mnie¡¯s skillful handling. Monsieur¡¯s men watched from the ship¡¯s railing, and their apparent leader made a call. As we distanced ourselves from their clutches, I hugged my mother tightly.


    ¡°Tell your damn boss to suck his dick!¡± Aunt Mnie shouted defiantly, extending her middle finger toward Monsieur¡¯s men.


    ¡°Mnie!¡± My mother scolded her, but I couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile. Her fiery spirit and audacity were exactly what we needed in this daring escape.


    Fate had favoured us, but the threat had been far too close forfort. The ship had almost be my desperate escape, and only my vignt Aunt Mnie saved me in the nick of time. I was weary of this constant nomadic existence, always on the run, leaving behind bits of my identity like breadcrumbs. Only Nichs knew my true name, and he deserved far more than that mere fraction of knowledge.


    Aunt Mnie skillfully steered the speed boat to another city¡¯s port, but we couldn¡¯t linger. No doubt, Monsieur¡¯s men were already scattered across the entire country, relentless in their pursuit. Evading them would be near impossible, given their seemingly boundless numbers. If we were to stand a chance at escaping, we¡¯d have to blend in with the thronging crowds.


    To hide in in sight, we chose a bustling and crowded location. They would anticipate us seeking seclusion or refuge amidst distant mountains. Our destination was a local convenience store where Aunt Mnie promptly gathered various hair colouring products.


    Even with Mam¨¤¡¯s sarcastic remarks, Aunt Mnie insisted on hair transformations for all of us. ¡°They¡¯ll notice your hair first thing,¡± she advised, her gaze fixed on me. And she was right.


    Leaving the store with supplies and sustenance, we found a discreet hotel to alter our appearances. Mam¨¤ shortened her hair while Aunt Mnie donned a wig. As for me, I dyed my hair and donned contacts. My honey-brown hair and emerald eyes had be my unmistakable signature, so changing them was essential for any hope of invisibility.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The transition wasplete, and we proceeded to the airport, each of us looking like an entirely different person. We stayed close, yet strategically apart, just as we had before. This safety measure allowed us to blend into the crowd without drawing attention.


    As expected, the airport brimmed with Monsieur¡¯s vignt men, making it a daunting task to move even with my new disguise. Five of them boarded the ne and meticulously inspected every passenger. I attempted to remainposed while Aunt Mnie nonchntly waved at one of them, disying a bravado that belied her true feelings.


    Sitting one seat away from each other on the ne, we anxiously awaited takeoff. Through the window, I pondered our destination, which Aunt Mnie had suggested would be in Asia. She believed that hiding inrge cities on the continent would offer us better shelter. I could only hope her instincts proved true as we embarked on yet another chapter of this dangerous journey.

 Chapter 63: I Want You To Run

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    The flight was long, stretching across continents to reach our possible destination.


    ¡°It¡¯s fucking cold,¡± my Aunt eximed in a half-whispered sing-song voice about the frigid weather as we disembarked at Tokyo Airport. The chilly air greeted us with an icy embrace.


    ¡°Do tell me if you happen to know anyone here, Mnie,¡± Mam¨¤ requested.


    ¡°Leave that to me, sister,¡± Aunt Mnie winked. I shook my head and smiled, pondering whether she knew people from every corner of the world.


    As we strolled, we came to a standstill when we noticed unfamiliar men at the exit, conducting checks. They certainly didn¡¯t resemble the typical airport security personnel.


    ¡°That¡¯s not Remus¡¯ men,¡± Mam¨¤ observed, gazing at them.


    ¡°Whose bunch of rascals do they serve?¡± Aunt Mnie inquired.


    Seriously? Do they never run out of guards? If they aren¡¯t associated with Monsieur, then who could they be?


    We turned around and sought an alternative exit. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted a familiar face.


    Lucian¡¯s butler, Frank, was it? He stood motionless at the other exit, resembling a statue.


    ¡°Cercei, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Mam¨¤ asked as I stopped in my tracks. The blood seemed to drain from my face when Frank noticed me.


    ¡°That¡¯s Lucian¡¯s men,¡± I said, swiftly turning in another direction.


    ¡°Who?¡± Aunt asked, trailing behind, bewildered. I quickened my pace, ignoring her. An emergency exit must be nearby; we couldn¡¯t risk leaving through the main door.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Lucian?¡± Aunt inquired once again.


    ¡°Lucian Red? Vienna¡¯s fianc¨¦?¡± Mam¨¤ replied instantly.


    I continued walking, desperately aiming for an emergency exit. When I spotted one of their men approaching, I hurriedly ushered Aunt Mnie and Mam¨¤ into the women¡¯s restroom.


    ¡°Cercei, who on earth is Lucian?¡± My Aunt demanded impatiently as we entered the restroom. Thank goodness there was no one else present; we could speak freely.


    ¡°Is he coborating with Remus?¡± Mam¨¤ interjected suddenly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! Yes,¡± I faltered in my response. I had no idea why his men were here. Were they searching for us? Was he searching for me? Was he angry after I left? Did he n to hand us over to Monsieur?


    ¡°Cercei,¡± My mother called me, demanding an exnation.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mam¨¤. He was present in Dinan, and it was his men who surrounded the city,¡± I confessed. She appeared utterly shocked by my revtion.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Aunt interrupted, and Mam¨¤ looked at me, perplexed, while I struggled under the pressure not to loseposure.


    ¡°Why would he¡­ Is he¡­ Are you two¡­¡± She stumbled over her words, unable to articte her thoughts.


    I remained silent, unsure if I could find the right words to exin. Nevertheless, I knew I couldn¡¯t keep secrets from my mother. It was inevitable that I¡¯d eventually tell her about Lucian, even though I wasn¡¯t sure where to begin or how to make her understand.


    ¡°You had a boyfriend, and you didn¡¯t tell us?¡± My Aunt questioned, disappointment etched across her face. My aunt continued to interject, making it even more challenging to have a coherent conversation.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my boyfriend,¡± I rified, avoiding eye contact.


    ¡°Is he an enemy or a friend?¡± She probed further, her curiosity pushing me to engage, but I hesitated to offer a definitive response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted honestly. The truth was, since leaving Dinan, I hadn¡¯t heard a word from Lucian. A part of me secretly hoped he woulde looking for me, showing up at the restaurant where I worked, just like he used to do at the caf¨¦. But deep down, I knew it was for the best that he remained distant. That was precisely why I pushed him away in the first ce. My life was tooplicated, and involving him in it would only bring trouble.


    ¡°We need to go,¡± I urged them, and they both nodded in agreement.


    Silently, we searched for an emergency exit, ensuring not to be spotted by any guards. Having been seen by Frank, we decided to change our outfits, a precaution we had nned for situations like this, where our safety was at risk.


    After changing, we left our suitcases in the restroom, only carrying the essential items for convenience.


    ¡°I liked that suitcase,¡± Aunt Mniemented as we stealthily walked out. Fortunately, no one was around, not even the airport security guards, which seemed strange.


    The emergency exit led us to a parking lot, eerily empty with only the echo of our footsteps.


    ¡°All the parked cars look the same,¡± I noted, realizing they were all ck Raptors.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Mam¨¤ suddenly pulled me back, her senses on high alert. She scanned the surroundings cautiously.


    Then, all the cars¡¯ headlights simultaneously lit up, revealing hundreds of men emerging from the vehicles. My jaw clenched as Mam¨¤ and Aunt quickly positioned themselves to shield me.


    ¡°Long time no see, Emilia,¡± a chillingly familiar voice echoed through the air. My eyes widened as I recognized one of Monsieur¡¯s trusted men.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Russo,¡± Mam¨¤ growled angrily, recognizing the man. I surveyed our situation; we were severely outnumbered.


    ¡°Monsieur missed you,¡± he said with a devilish smile.


    ¡°Oh, hello there, Cercei,¡± he waved at me, and I shot him a seething re, which only seemed to amuse him.


    ¡°You¡¯re feisty now, huh,¡± he chuckled, provoking my anger even further.


    ¡°Emilia, your sister is as beautiful as you,¡± he leered, his demeanor disgustingly perverse.


    ¡°You¡¯re not my type, sorry,¡± Aunt dared to be sarcastic. I gently pulled her, fearing that her remark might offend Russo and he would retaliate.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯m hurt,¡± he dramatically held his chest.


    ¡°Russo, please, let us go,¡± my mother pleaded earnestly. Russo¡¯s gaze shifted back to her. He stared momentarily before bursting intoughter as if the devil tickled him.


    The other men joined in, theirughter echoing coldly. Indeed, mercy had no ce in their hearts.


    ¡°You¡¯ve be quite funny, Emilia,¡± Russo remarked, still chuckling.


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve had enough of your vacation; it¡¯s time toe home,¡± he dered, motioning to his men, ¡°Get them, and don¡¯t let them escape!¡±


    ¡°I want you to run,¡± Mam¨¤ whispered from her alert stance. I looked at her in disbelief.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± How could she expect me to run while they faced this battalion of men? Even if I managed to flee, there was no guarantee of safety. I am not as clever as Aunt Mnie, nor inherit my mother¡¯s creativity and patience. I had no idea where to go.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll fight with you,¡± I insisted stubbornly. I couldn¡¯t leave them; we had to face this together. Even if I escaped, the thought of them sacrificing their lives for me would haunt me endlessly.


    ¡°Cercei, listen to me,¡± Mam¨¤ took hold of my arms, her eyes filled with intensity and distress, imploring me to understand.


    ¡°You have to leave, do you understand?¡± She spoke slowly and thoughtfully, brieflycking her eyes to mine. I shook my head, but she pushed me away forcefully.


    ¡°You will leave, okay? Promise me you¡¯ll leave,¡± tears welled up in her eyes, and I couldn¡¯t find the words to respond as my heart was wailing too under the immense pressure.


    My mother and aunt suddenly shifted into their wolf forms while I stood behind them. I knew they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against such overwhelming numbers of captors. The situation was dire, and leaving them behind tore my heart apart.


    But with tears streaming down my face, I knew that staying would be senseless heroism, leading us to meet our terrible fate. So, with a heavy heart, I gave my promise to Mam¨¤. When they charged into the battle, I reluctantly made my escape.


    The pain of leaving them behind gnawed at my soul, but my promise to Mam¨¤ became my lifeline. I ran through the darkness, praying that fate would be kind to me. My heart pounded in my chest, knowing that the oue of this night would change our life course forever.

 Chapter 64: My Mother Got Kidnapped

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    As the men drew nearer, their footsteps echoing with ominous intent, the atmosphere grew tense. Mam¨¤ and Aunt stood their ground, disying remarkable courage as they faced their foes, engaging them in a fierce, tenacious fight. My heart pounded in my chest, a frightened onlooker unable to flee farther or intervene in the unfolding fight a few distances from my spot. A shot rang out in a moment of terror, aimed at my mother. I cried out in horror, my voice carrying my fear for her safety as I ran back to them.


    Frozen in ce, my body seemed to betray me as my pleas to stop the violence fell on deaf ears. My desperate cries echoed through the air, but it felt as though the world had turned deaf to my anguish.


    ¡°Please, let us go,¡± I begged with every ounce of strength left in my trembling voice.


    Amidst the chaos, Mam¨¤¡¯s agony was evident as a wolf tried to inflict further harm on her. In the midst of the battle, she locked eyes with me, and through the fierce gaze of her wolfish eyes, I sensed her persistent maternal love. It was as if she silently pleaded with me to escape, to survive.


    Stumbling backward, teetering on the edge ofpliance, I hesitated before following her unspokenmand. Suddenly, a fleet of ck cars emerged from nowhere, bringing a new twist to the unfolding scene. Armed and dangerous, their men fired shots into the air, effectively extinguishing a significant portion of Monsieur¡¯s forces. The mour was overwhelming, forcing me to the ground as I mped my hands over my ears in a futile attempt to block out the deafening noise.


    Overwhelmed with fear, I found myself pleading to the heavens, yearning for an end to the violence that ravaged our lives.


    ¡°Ah, the traitor,¡± Russo sneered, singling out Frank, who emerged confidently from one of the cars, his gun aimed at Russo.


    ¡°Bonjour,¡± Frank greeted Russo with an air of calm and defiance. His sudden appearance had tipped the bnce of power, and now it was Russo¡¯s men who were outnumbered and vulnerable to attack.


    My gaze darted back to Mam¨¤, and my heart sank at the sight of her injuries. I screamed her name, desperate for her to be okay. Shey on the ground, her blood seeping out, and the sight of her blooded body was triggering haunting memories of my father¡¯s fate. I refused to let history repeat itself.


    When Frank¡¯s men approached, Aunt bravely stood by Mam¨¤¡¯s side, fiercely protective. Responding with a defiant howl, she courageously fought back, determined to shield her wounded sister. The toll of the battle was evident as Mam¨¤ shifted to her human form, the transformation marking the extent of her injuries. I knew that healing would be a long and arduous process.


    Frank¡¯s men callously covered Mam¨¤¡¯s battered and naked form with a cloth, and they did the same to my aunt. The sight was heart-wrenching, and I rushed to both of them in a state of distress.


    ¡°Mam¨¤,¡± I sobbed, tears streaming down my face as I held her bruised and wounded body.


    Desperation gripped me when Frank¡¯s men carried my mother away, and my aunt valiantly attempted to intervene but was also restrained by the others.


    ¡°Give my mother back, you monsters!¡± I screamed with all the force I could muster, my voice cracking with emotion. I pleaded with Frank to release her, but he remained cold and rigid, his attention fixed on Russo, his guns locked in position.


    ¡°Please,¡± I begged, my voice reduced to a desperate whisper, falling to my knees in a vain attempt to sway Frank¡¯s determination.


    Aunt, refusing to yield to fear, demanded to know their captor¡¯s identity, fighting against the men who held her captive. Though she fought back fiercely, the overwhelming numbers of her attackers left her overpowered and restrained.


    My heart sank as they took my unconscious and bleeding mother into one of the waiting cars. The situation felt iprehensible, and I couldn¡¯t help but question whether Lucian had ordered Frank¡¯s actions. Was he angry with me, and if so, why involve my mother in this dangerous game?


    Trapped and outnumbered by Frank¡¯s forces, Russo¡¯s men, including my aunt and me, were at their mercy. Just when all seemed bleak, a sudden arrival of more vans brought a glimmer of hope. These vehicles didn¡¯t unleash gunfire; instead, they barreled forward at full speed, forcing Frank¡¯s men to leap aside to avoid being struck. In their confusion, Aunt and I were seized and pulled toward the awaiting vans of the other group that had just intervened.


    The chaos unfolded at breakneck speed, and before I knew it, my aunt and I were forcibly pushed into one of the vans. My heart pounded with dread as I called out to my unconscious mother, but the door was shut, detaining us instantly.


    ¡°No!¡± I cried, attempting to escape, but someone restrained me and ced a handkerchief over my face.


    As the world spun and darkness crept into my senses, I fought to stay conscious, but it was a useless struggle. Soon enough, the world slipped away into total darkness.


    ****


    I awoke in an unfamiliar room. The vintage interior and throbbing pain in my head left me disoriented. The lights seemed almost blinding, but I quickly remembered the events leading up to my current situation. Lucian¡¯s men took my mother. The urgency to rescue her consumed me.


    Realising the bedroom door was opened, I cautiously walked out, relieved to find no guards in sight. The mansion¡¯s vastness perplexed me as I carefully descended the grand staircase, following the sounds emanating from downstairs.


    When I reached a certain room, the door slightly ajar, I peered inside and saw an assembly of at least ten people gathered around arge table. My attempt to eavesdrop led to an embarrassing trip, drawing everyone¡¯s attention to my presence. Among the strangers, I was astonished to spot a familiar face-Vincent?


    ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± my Aunt greeted, her head bandaged as she was severely injured.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Confusion gnawed at me. Why was Vincent here? I thought he was just a model, and now I found myself wondering how long I had been unconscious. The situation seemed surreal, leaving me unsure if I had stumbled into a dream.


    ¡°They took Mam¨¤; we must rescue her,¡± I urgently insisted, panicking, while Aunt Mnie tried to soothe my nerves.


    A servant offered me a drink, but I hesitated to ept it, my mind racing with questions. Aunt Mnie took the drink on my behalf and guided me to sit down, attempting to reassure me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin everything,¡± she promised, though calming down seemed nearly impossible in the face of my mother¡¯s capture and the unexpected presence of Vincent, who had once been a regr at the cafe.


    Thinking that my mother was being kidnapped overwhelmed me, and I demanded to know our location. The calm stares from everyone only riled me up, feeling as though they were gaslighting me in some inexplicable way.


    Vincent¡¯s expression appeared a mix of concern and detachment as he held a ss of wine, the other hand tucked into his pocket. My frustration grew, and my Aunt eventually disclosed that we were in the headquarters of their former pack.


    My eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment. A pack of their origin? I knew my mother was not MoonStone born, joining the pack only after marrying my father. I had believed that their pack had abandoned them, so the current revtion left me questioning everything. Why were we brought here, and what did they want from us? The uncertainty mulled heavily on my heart as I searched for answers in this strange and disorienting situation.

 Chapter 65: Twice The Monster

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°What do you mean she has escaped?¡± I demanded, clenching my teeth.


    Frank fixed his gaze on me, standing tall with both hands resting behind his back while I remained seated in my swivel chair.


    ¡°Somebody interrupted us,¡± he exined. My rage boiled over, and I pounded the table with my hands, the sound echoing throughout my office.


    ¡°Who was it?¡± I inquired. My face was gloomy.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know,¡± He briefly answered. I nced at the other men standing behind Frank, all visibly intimidated, avoiding my gaze.


    I rubbed my temples to ease the building tension.


    ¡°Find out who was responsible, and locate her!¡± Imanded, rising from my chair and approaching Frank.


    ¡°This time, make sure you don¡¯t lose her,¡± I said firmly before storming out.


    Descending to the basement, I checked our captives. Among them was Cercei¡¯s mother, bearing the marks of her struggle. Her injuries were severe, and I had to call for a doctor to tend to her. Now she was stable and mended.


    Indeed, my purpose was to capture not only her but also Cercei. My intentions were not to harm them but to offer protection and shelter under my watchful wings.


    Ever since my mother¡¯s passing, I dedicated myself to digging into Remus¡¯ secrets, desperately searching for any information to help me bring him down.


    It turned out that Remus had a myriad of dark secrets hidden away in his closet, and I had dug them all ¨C from the sinister murder of his wife to the disgusting assault on his personal maid.


    However, there was one person in his life whom I couldn¡¯t bear to harm ¨C Cercei¡¯s mother. She held a special ce in my heart, and while I couldn¡¯t bring myself to inflict any harm on her, I saw an opportunity to use her influence to manipte Remus.


    ¡°She¡¯s awake, Sire,¡± one of the guards informed me before I entered her room.


    When I stepped inside, I found her sitting on the bed, attempting to remove the IV drip and medical equipment attached to her. Upon seeing me, she immediately tensed, prepared to defend herself.


    ¡°Leave us,¡± I instructed my men, and theyplied, giving us privacy.


    With my hands raised, I approached her slowly. ¡°I mean you no harm,¡± I assured her in a calm tone.


    ¡°Then what brings you here?¡± She demanded with dominance, emanating the same intimidating aura I had often seen in Cercei.


    ¡°I wish to use you as leverage,¡± I stated bluntly. Her brows furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Leverage against Remus,¡± I rified. She let out a humourless chuckle.


    ¡°Do you truly believe a mere maid can be a significant leverage?¡± she asked, clearly unimpressed.


    ¡°I know,¡± I interjected quickly. Her menacing demeanour softened.


    ¡°What do you know?¡± she asked, her gaze sharp and focused.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smirk smugly. ¡°Everything.¡±


    ¡°And what about her firstborn?¡± I continued, sensing her growing anger.


    ¡°Keep my daughter out of this mess,¡± she hissed with a fiery re.


    I scoffed inwardly. Did she truly believe I¡¯d let any harm befall her daughter? I would move mountains to protect Cercei.


    ¡°I have no intention of hurting you,¡± I revealed, ¡°In fact, I n to gather all of you under my protection, shielding you from the Crescents¡¯ grasp. You will not need to run away or be separated from Cercei again. It serves a dual purpose.¡±


    ¡°Why do you need me as leverage when you and Remus are partners?¡± she countered, making a valid point. At this moment, all emotions vanished from my face.


    ¡°He killed my mother,¡± I said coldly, watching her reaction carefully.


    The expression on her face shifted, and her gaze met mine with understanding.


    ¡°So, you seek revenge by using me against him, or you want to kill me too to get back at him?¡± she inquired, searching my eyes for the truth.


    I didn¡¯t answer her, and I left the basement instantly. My mind was consumed with sorrow, a burning desire to exact revenge on Remus and make him suffer the same pain he had caused me. I yearned to give him a taste of his own medicine, to make him feel the agony of losing someone beloved.


    But as much as I craved vengeance, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to harm Cercei¡¯s Mom, the mother of my beloved woman. I couldn¡¯t risk her hating me, for I had hoped to bring her under my protection to free her from the shackles of fear and bad fate.


    Yet, I had to keep my ns hidden, fending the element of surprise, for I had grand schemes on how to make the Crescents pay for their sins. Night after night, I dreamt of making Remus scream in pain and plead for mercy. The time for action had arrived, my n meticulously crafted, but unforeseen obstacles had surfaced, the mysterious pack that intervened and snatched Cercei from my grasp. I saw no allies in them, only more enemies.


    I hoped they would choose wisely and refrain from meddling in a war that didn¡¯t concern them. I had no qualms about destroying multiple empires if necessary. My urged to find them and Cercei was unshakable. I wouldn¡¯t let her slip away from me again, and I vowed that those who had intervened would deeply regret their actions.


    If it meant chaining her up and hiding her away, I would do whatever it took to ensure her safety. Remus had grown predictable, using her as a pawn against me, and he had his men scouring the world in pursuit.


    I refused to let him use Cercei ory a finger on her. I nned to destroy everything he held dearly¨C his pack, his business, and even his wretched mansion. Anyone who dared stand with him and fight under his deceitful banner would meet a painful demise, just like how he had orchestrated my mother¡¯s death.


    Though no amount of wealth or life could fill the void left by my mother¡¯s death and Cercei¡¯s disappearance, taking away his life would at least bring me some semnce of satisfaction.


    I was prepared to systematically strip away everything that mattered to him, one by one, savouring the destruction of his world. With each loss, my heart swelled with wrath, and I embraced the monster that had been born inside me. I no longer loathed what I had be; instead, I enjoyed the chance to watch the world burn before me.


    The embers of vengeance had ignited an inferno in my soul, and I was ready to unleash its fury against those who had wronged me. I knew there would be consequences, and I weed them willingly, for nothing would deter me from my path of revenge.

 Chapter 66: Play With Lucian鈥檚 Game

    Remus¡¯ POV


    ¡°You fucking idiot!¡± I seethed, my rage boiling over. A powerful punchnded squarely on Russo¡¯s jaw, causing him to crumple to the floor.


    ¡°You had them in your grasp, and you let them slip away?!¡± I snarled, grabbing his cor as hey there, blood dripping from his nose and mouth due to my furious blow.


    Even in his pain, Russo managed to speak, ¡°Lord Lucian¡¯s men, led by Frank, interrupted us. They took Emilia.¡± He winced, anticipating my wrath.


    ¡°What?¡± My jaw clenched tightly, the news hitting me like a sledgehammer.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Lucian¡¯s butler took Emilia,¡± he repeated, his voice clearer this time.


    He took her. Lucian has set his schemes in motion already.


    Releasing my grip on Russo, I flung him back to the floor, allowing him to catch his breath.


    ¡°Fool!¡± I cursed under my breath.


    The objects on my table bore the brunt of my frustration as I swept them aside. Lucian had remained ominously quiet for the past two months. I had been anticipating his retaliation ever since my men identally caused the death of his mother. Although unintentional, the incident fueled his thirst for revenge.


    I had been preparing for his attack for months, expecting him to strike at any moment. But instead, he had remained shrouded in mystery, biding his time while I kept my guard up.


    I knew better than to underestimate him. Lucian was renowned for his merciless and ruthless nature.


    And now he had taken Emilia. For what purpose? To use her as leverage?


    ¡°What about Cercei?¡± I demanded, the thought of my daughter¡¯s safety consuming me.


    ¡°Did they take her too?!¡± I shouted in frustration.


    ¡°Another group intervened. We don¡¯t know who they were or which pack they belonged to. They overwhelmed us with their vans and swiftly took Cercei and her aunt,¡± Russo spilled the words rapidly, desperate to appease me.


    Enraged, I delivered a forceful kick to his side, causing him to cough up blood before me.


    ¡°Useless!¡± I bellowed in exasperation. They only had one crucial task, and they failed miserably. I knew Russo well; he had been in my service for half his life. He had a penchant for toying with his victims when he had them cornered. If only he had acted promptly, they would be here with me now.


    My head throbbed with the enormous fury burning in my head, surrounded by a group of idiot men who seemed blind to the reality of our situation. Winning this war alone was a pipe dream. Lucian¡¯s reputation as the ¡°King In The North¡± was well-deserved; he had the entire North and his stern uncle from the West, his mother¡¯s brother, backing him.


    Facing them single-handedly would resemble embracing deterioration before the bloody moon could even turn. Realising the need for allies, I reluctantly reached out to packs that had their own grievances with Lucian. Convincing them to join forces was no easy task. Fear of his power was prevalent, but their collective anger drove them to take the risk.


    Yet, even with our forcesbined, we still fell short. The odds remained stacked against us.


    ¡°Find out which pack took them, and bring my daughter back to me!¡± Imanded. Bleeding and injured, Russo nodded in acknowledgment, his determination driving him to crawl on the floor, with others assisting him to rise.


    I poured myself a ss of bourbon and downed it in one swift motion.


    ***


    Vienna entered the room, her brows furrowing as she sensed the gravity of the situation. I motioned for her to take a seat in front of me, and she obliged, cautiously trying to gauge the atmosphere.


    ¡°I want you to go South, to the Malroux pack, the original pack of your mother,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°Why?¡± She asked, crossing her arms and knitting her brows in suspicion.


    ¡°I want you to pay them a visit,¡± I replied, taking a puff of my cigarette.


    ¡°And what¡¯s the purpose of this visit?¡± She asked, her doubt evident.


    ¡°You know why, Vienna,¡± I replied firmly.


    ¡°Dad, you can¡¯t just involve other packs in your war!¡± She eximed, her voice rising.


    I mmed my hand on the table, shocking her. Fear flickered in her eyes, but I couldn¡¯t afford to be gentle. This was war, and time was of the essence. I was growing desperate. Cercei, meant to be my leverage, had been snatched by a mysterious pack while Emilia was at the mercy of the cunning Lucian Red, and his next move remained shrouded in my knowledge.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just my war, it¡¯s ours. We need all the help we can get if you want to continue living your life,¡± I dered with urgency, hoping she would grasp the gravity of the situation.


    War had a way of pulling everyone into its clutches, regardless of their desires or intentions. I knew I had to make tough choices to protect my family and my legacy. I know that this was only the beginning of a turbulent and dangerous war that might bring me down.


    The Shadow pack held a significant connection to Vienna as it was her mother¡¯s original pack before she became part of MoonStone pack after our marriage. Her mother, the oldest daughter of the Alpha, was meant to take the reins, but her younger sister assumed the role after their father¡¯s passing. Her uncle, the current Alpha, held a soft spot for his dear niece.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t know them, I haven¡¯t even met them,¡± Viennained, voicing her concerns.


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely why you¡¯re visiting. Pack your bags; I¡¯ll have your ne ready in the morning,¡± I insisted with a sense of finality. She left the room in fury. I took onest drag from my cigarette before cing it delicately in a cigarette holder.


    If I couldn¡¯t find allies in the North, I would seek them in the South. Lucian had no connections there, and the truth about myte wife¡¯s death remained concealed. Vienna, as the only living reminder of her mother, would likely be epted by the Shadow pack with open arms. With some persuasion, they would be at her beck and call, eager to fulfil hermands.


    However, I still had to uncover the identity of the pack that had intervened and taken Cercei. Were they an ally, an enemy, or something in between? It was imperative to find them swiftly. If Lucian dared to use Emilia against me, I would have no choice but to use my daughter as leverage against him, a soul-to-soul confrontation.


    Of course, I had no intention of harming my own daughter, but a little show of force might be necessary to make the King in the North kneel before me, begging for mercy. War alone was enough to handle; I couldn¡¯t afford to have Emilia¡¯s life hanging in the bnce.


    As I pondered, a realisation struck me. How did Lucian know about Emilia¡¯s importance to me? Did he dig into my past?


    ¡°Get me, Mad¨¤m Cece,¡± I ordered one of my men, desiring answers from Cece. I took another sip of bourbon, pacing back and forth impatiently.


    ¡°Monsieur, Mad¨¤m Cece is nowhere to be found. We¡¯ve searched everywhere,¡± my men informed me. My neck tensed with annoyance.


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± I roared, hurling the ss against the wall, my eyes aze with anger.


    ¡°So, this is the game he wants to y.¡±


    I¡¯d y his little game very well if Lucian thought he could manipte the situation. But mark my words, I will be the one to dictate the rules, and I¡¯ll see to it that you rue the day you ever dared to cross my path.

 Chapter 67: A Marriage In Exchange Of Help

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Why are we here, Auntie?¡± I inquired for what felt like the millionth time. Following my unexpected intrusion downstairs during what appeared to be a secret meeting, I was overwhelmed with panic. Auntie had to escort me to my room to help me regainposure.


    Yet, calming down seemed impossible. My mind was swirling with questions about why those strangers chose to help us if they were the same pack that had abandoned them. Was this assistance genuine, or were we being dragged into some kind of kidnapping scheme?


    ¡°Listen to me,¡± Auntie said firmly, grasping my shoulders to capture my attention. I met her gaze, hoping for some rity.


    ¡°Five years ago, I reconciled with our pack, and they were the ones who supported me in rebuilding my life there on Dinan,¡± she revealed.


    ¡°But I thought they abandoned you,¡± I inquired with confusion.


    ¡°While your mother and I lost our way for a while, abandonment is not the way of our pack. It was never the case,¡± she shook her head, dispelling my misconceptions.


    Did Mam¨¤ lie to me?


    ¡°What is Vincent doing here?¡±


    ¡°You know Vincent?¡± Auntie¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in surprise.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°He¡¯s a customer at the caf¨¦. He also mentioned that he used to do business with you,¡± I replied.


    ¡°That little rascal,¡± she muttered under her breath.


    ¡°He¡¯s our alpha,¡± she dered. My eyes widened in astonishment. Vincent was an alpha? I always thought of him as a model, even though he did mention that his real job consumed most of his time, and modelling was merely a sideline. But an alpha of a pack? That revtion caught me entirely off guard.


    ¡°He¡¯s an alpha?¡± I stammered, struggling to wrap my head around this unexpected revtion.


    True, Vincent had a strong presence, but I must admit I had quite a different mental image of him.


    ¡°So what now?¡± I inquired, and Auntie let out a heavy sigh. She held my hand, and her serious expression gave me the sense that this situation was far from ordinary.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± she began, using my name with gravity, something she rarely did.


    ¡°Your mother has been taken, and we must rescue her,¡± she said. I nodded, though uncertainty still gnawed at me.


    ¡°They have offered to help us,¡± she continued, and I clung to that glimmer of hope.


    ¡°However¡­¡± she trailed off, her eyes fixed on me as if she were grappling with a decision about whether to reveal further information.


    ¡°Helping us means getting entangled in a battle that isn¡¯t theirs, a fight beyond the scope of our existing ties,¡± Auntie spoke with measured words. I breathed more deeply, sensing the gravity of her impending revtion.


    ¡°Get to the point, Auntie?¡± My impatience arose as I urged her to be direct.


    ¡°You have to marry Vincent,¡± she dered matter-of-factly.


    I stopped to breathe. My eyes remained locked on her face, anticipating a punchline or jest that never came. She held my gaze, trying to gauge my emotions.


    ¡°I have to do what?¡± I scoffed, releasing myself from her sp as I stood up in disbelief.


    ¡°Is this some sort of sick joke?¡± The words tumbled from my mouth, nowced with frustration.


    ¡°Cercei, please,¡± she implored, attempting to guide me back to my seat.


    ¡°My mother is captured, and Vienna is hunting us down, and you¡¯re talking about a bloody wedding?!¡± My response bordered on the absurd.


    Iughed, but there was no spirit in it. I always knew my Auntie was entric, but I never unravelled she would suggest something this extreme.


    ¡°Listen to me first!¡± Her voice rose, demanding my attention.


    ¡°The connection we have with the Malroux pack is tenuous. We may be rted, but we forged alliances with another pack. Assisting us means endangering the lives of their people, Cercei. This is a war between the mightiest packs in the North and West,¡± she exined, and I tried to absorb her words while still catching my breath.


    ¡°I need you to understand that no helpes without a price. If they¡¯re going to stake their pack¡¯s future on helping us, then we must offer them a future worth fighting for,¡± she added, her words prompting furrowed brows from me.


    ¡°A union between you and Vincent is all the assurance they need. You provide them with an heir, and they, in turn, will provide you with an army.¡± Now my auntid bare all the conditions.


    It couldn¡¯t be serious, could it?


    ¡°I understand that it¡¯s overwhelming, Cercei, and it¡¯s difficult to believe. Sometimes life throws unimaginable challenges at us,¡± she stood up, preparing to leave.


    ¡°Take your time to think it over; the decision rests with you. But know this, Vincent is a good man. And the longer you take to decide, the greater the risk to your mother¡¯s life,¡± she said and exited the room.


    Alone in my room, I was overwhelmed by a torrent of thoughts and emotions.


    Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fought the urge to scream and shatter every ss object in sight. I yearned to vanish, to escape from this impossible situation.


    Marriage? They wanted me to enter wedlock amid this raging war? The idea of marriage had never even crossed my mind before. I didn¡¯t know if I could ever marry anyone. Just a week ago, I was convinced my heart still belonged to someone else, but after witnessing the ruthless act of sending his men to take my mother, doubts consumed me.


    Lucian, the man I thought I understood, had revealed a side I never knew existed. I couldn¡¯tprehend his true intentions ¨C was it to intimidate Monsieur, to use my mother as bait, or to take revenge on me? Perhaps it was all of the above.


    What I did know was that I refused to be forced into a marriage I didn¡¯t want. If they wouldn¡¯t help us, then we¡¯d feign our path alone, just as we always had. I mightck an army, but I harboured an unyielding thirst for vengeance. I was weary of feeling powerless and insignificant.


    I contemted offering myself in ce of my mother to the Crescents; I knew Vienna was eager to torment me. Lucian also seemed to have grievances with me, and I was ready to bear whatever he had in store. I no longer cared about my own well-being; my mother had suffered enough for my sake, and I couldn¡¯t bear to see her in pain any longer.


    Such an exchange seemed more reasonable to me than the notion of marriage, producing an heir, and gaining an army. At the tender age of 18, I had never even met the man they expected me to marry. Did he agree to this arrangement? I had perceived him as kind and amiable, a mere local customer with a refined taste in fashion. Now, I discovered he was an alpha who only extended help if there was something to gain, seeking to secure his own interests.


    Well, that¡¯s not gonna be me, Mr. Model. I refused to be your submissive pawn. I don¡¯t need your assistance; I would find my mother alone, and we would escape once more. This time, we would evade capture, no matter what challengesy ahead.

 Chapter 68: Serious Talk

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Three days have passed since my Aunt delivered a devastating revtion. Unable to cope with the emotional turmoil, I¡¯ve secluded myself inside my room, rejecting allpany and food.


    The urge to cry and release the flood of emotions wreaking havoc inside me is overwhelming, but I find myself strangely numb. My tear ducts seem to have run dry, and time has slipped by unnoticed in this empty state.


    From my window perch, I observe the world outside, watching the sun ascend, and the moon descend, detached from its natural rhythm.


    Aunt has made several attempts to visit me, even going as far as delivering my meals herself, urging me to eat. However, her words are brushed aside as my mind lives in an ouster of its own choice, distancing itself from everything. I fear I may be losing my sanity.


    Frequently, I find myself imagining alternative scenarios with my dear Mam¨¤. Life would have been so different if circumstances had yed out differently. Regret lingers as I reflect on our escape through the emergency exit, a predictable move that led to our separation.


    Had Vincent¡¯s pack not intervened, perhaps Frank would have taken me along, and I would have been reunited with my mother. Regardless of the consequences, I¡¯d dly face them if it meant being by her side once more ¨C even if it meant returning to the dreaded mansion under Monsieur¡¯s control.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Remaining here and eating feels impossible while her whereabouts and well-being remain unknown. The fear of Lucian causing her harm or punishing her for my mistakes consumes me. What does he truly want?


    ¡°Hey,¡± a voice breaks through my reverie. Startled, I turn to find Vincent standing beside me. Lost in the sea of my thoughts, I failed to recognize his presence before me earlier.


    ¡°Cercei, look at me,¡± Vincent¡¯s voice persists, but I remain adrift in my internal turmoil.


    Reality came crashing back when Vincent gently shook my shoulders, urging me to return from the depths of my thoughts. Vincent knelt before me to meet my eyes on the same level.


    Though his expression appeared stern, his eyes betrayed a hint of concern, which he tried to mask with an impassive facade.


    ¡°What,¡± I responded, my voice devoid of any emotion, meeting his gaze with a cold detachment.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to talk right now,¡± he began.


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡± I retorted bluntly, observing the subtle change in his eyes caused by my frankness.


    ¡°Because your Aunt is worried sick about you.¡±


    ¡°Why do you care?¡± I snorted, fully aware of my rudeness but feeling indifferent to its consequences. It mattered little whether he threw me out on the streets or handed me over to my pack.


    He sighed. ¡°Just let us help you,¡± he said, a seriousness resonating in his voice.


    I turned to face him squarely. ¡°In exchange for what?¡± I demanded, getting straight to the point.


    ¡°You can¡¯t save your mom by staying here and dwelling, cursing the universe for your fate.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spent enough time trying to make a change but guess what, I can¡¯t. We¡¯re all just puppets to people like you,¡± I stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°People like me?¡± He furrowed his brows, seemingly taken aback.


    ¡°Rich and powerful, hungry for domination,¡± the words slipped out, and I shifted my gaze away.


    He chuckled, seemingly amused by my description. ¡°That¡¯s your impression of me?¡± he questioned.


    ¡°Why else ask for marriage?¡± I countered without looking at him.


    His face lost all traces of emotion, and his lips pressed into a thin line.


    ¡°I¡¯m the one who asked for it?¡± I added grimly.


    ¡°Yeah, right,¡± I scoffed, ncing to the side dismissively.


    ¡°Trust me, I don¡¯t want to get married to you. No offence,¡± he retorted sharply, though his words were somewhat offensive.


    ¡°Then why?¡± I pressed.


    ¡°The world is all about giving and taking. The elders decided that if we involve ourselves in your war, then we must get something in return,¡± he revealed, shedding light on the reason behind the sudden marriage proposal.


    Mam¨¤ had always been wise, never naive. She taught me that in this world, giving oftenes with a catch, especially for people like us, who are deemed powerless.


    ¡°Does it have to be marriage?¡± I questioned. ¡°Aren¡¯t there other ways to repay them? Perhaps through loyalty and gratitude?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just marriage but an heir,¡± he replied casually as if it were a minor detail.


    ¡°An heir?¡± I chuckled bitterly.


    ¡°A war is a significant risk. I can¡¯t leave the throne empty and defenceless,¡± he exined calmly, leaving me momentarily silenced.


    He was right, of course. The Malroux pack, among the most powerful and feared in the East, would surely attract Lucian¡¯s and Monsieur¡¯s attention if they chose to help us in retrieving my mother.


    ¡°I can¡¯t get married,¡± I whispered under my breath, gazing at the orange sky as the sun dipped below the horizon.


    ¡°Neither do I,¡± he confessed, surprising me. I wanted to inquire further, but I realised it wasn¡¯t my ce. Perhaps he, too, had his own reasons ¨C perhaps his heart belonged elsewhere, or he simply wasn¡¯t ready for such amitment.


    I was consumed with my own struggles that I hadn¡¯t considered Vincent¡¯s perspective on the matter. Being an alpha came with its own set of pressures and expectations.


    ¡°Why?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.


    He offered a sad smile as if recalling something painful. ¡°Let¡¯s just say it isn¡¯t meant for me,¡± he replied cryptically. His eyes seemed to hold a protective barrier, preventing me from delving deeper and understanding him fully.


    While I admired the love shared by my parents, the idea of marriage also frightened me. The thought of baring oneselfpletely to another person, taking risks, giving everything, and loving unconditionally felt intimidating. Love that runs deep often leads to profound pain, and I feared that anguish, fearing it might break me just as I felt broken now.


    ¡°Guess we¡¯re in the same boat,¡± I admitted, relieved that Vincent shared my apprehensions.


    Perhaps Vincent wasn¡¯t as bad as I initially thought. He was a young man burdened by the weight of his alpha duties and responsibilities.


    ¡°I will help you get your mother back,¡± he suddenly dered, catching me off guard with his earnestness.


    ¡°What about the marriage?¡± I asked, still unsure about how to reconcile that aspect.


    ¡°We¡¯ll tackle one problem at a time. Right now, our focus is on bringing her back,¡± he reassured me.


    ¡°And what happens after we seed?¡± I probed, recognizing the enormity of that possibility.


    ¡°We¡¯ll cross that bridge when we get there,¡± he replied, his expression resolute.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± I insisted.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find a way. A lot can happen by then. Who knows, you might fall for me and beg me to marry you,¡± he joked, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.


    ¡°You wish,¡± I retorted, rolling my eyes, and he chuckled. At this moment, we shared a genuineugh, forming an unexpected bond in the face of adversity.

 Chapter 69: Serious Talk

    Emilia¡¯s POV


    Once I found myself brought to the airport, I soon found myself in an unfamiliar location, a vast basement that felt more simr to an underground mansion.


    Lucian Red was the one responsible for my captivity, and I couldn¡¯t be na?ve about it. I was well aware of his infatuation with my daughter, noticing his frequent visits to the caf¨¦ where she would spend her time. I couldn¡¯t help but connect his presence to her emotional turmoil when we departed Dinan and her detached state while we were in Greece.


    As a concerned parent, I discreetly monitored the caf¨¦¡¯s CCTV, ensuring my daughter¡¯s safety from afar. Yet, I chose not to reveal my knowledge of Lucian to her deliberately. I intended to let here to me and share her feelings and impressions about him on her own ord.


    Certainly, I didn¡¯t underestimate Lucian¡¯s reputation, power, and capabilities. Knowing the secret of my daughter¡¯s true identity, I was fully aware of the potential danger he posed to her. Nevertheless, I was reluctant to be tyrannical and forbid her from experiencing love. I understood all too well the struggle of forbidden love and how arduous it is to resist. Thus, I allowed her the freedom to choose, despite the immense difficulty it brought on me.


    Lucian imed to possess extensive knowledge of various matters, including Cercei¡¯s lineage and Remus¡¯ misdeeds, which included the murder of his own mother. However, where I stood in the midst of his intricate revenge remained a mystery to me.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    During one of his regr visits, I couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°This detention is worse than Remus¡¯ mansion.¡± He diligently made it a routine to meet with me each day.


    In response, Lucian calmly corrected, ¡°This isn¡¯t a cell; you¡¯re in a highly advanced room equipped with everything you need.¡±


    In an attempt to explore the possibility of leaving, I inquired, ¡°Can I go out?¡±


    Unsurprisingly, he swiftly refused, leaving no room for hope. But that didn¡¯t deter me from my efforts to manipte the situation. ¡°My daughter must be utterly worried about me,¡± I tried to persuade him, observing a slight shift in his stoic and stern demeanour to a more conscious and uneasy one. He sighed, realising my tactic, and must havee to the conclusion that I was aware of his connection with my daughter.


    Exasperated, he asked in a defeated tone, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°And no electronics,¡± he added sternly.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I replied, pretending to ponder my desires.


    ¡°I want a full body massage and sushi,¡± I stated, raising an amused eyebrow at the young Alpha before me. He nced at his men, who nodded in silent agreement and promptly left to fulfil my whims.


    With a hint of sarcasm, he returned and remarked, ¡°Your wish is mymand.¡±


    ¡°Hurry up, I¡¯m starving!¡± I called after him, receiving nothing but an ignoring silence in response, causing me to chuckle softly to myself.


    It may sound utterly mad, considering that Lucian was the one who kidnapped me, but I must admit, there¡¯s something about him that tells me he¡¯s not entirely evil.


    I never intended to spy on my daughter, but I couldn¡¯t help but be aware of their secret meeting, how she would sneak out of the house every night, only for Lucian to await her across the road. Watching them from my window brought back memories of my own past with Henr¨¬; we were once just as enamoured.


    Lucian cares deeply for my daughter; that much is evident. I also know he suffered when she left him, not to mention the pain of losing his mother not long after. He¡¯s consumed by a thirst for revenge, fueled by his seething wrath, and undoubtedly, he¡¯s broken. Yet, he¡¯s not beyond repair. I hold onto the hope that there¡¯s still a chance for redemption in him. He wouldn¡¯t have made an effort to cure me if he were as heartless as they say. In fact, I find myself grateful that he saved me from Russo¡¯s clutches.


    I shudder to think what might have urred to me if Russo had sessfully recaptured me and brought me back to Remus. The mere thought fills me with disgust, for I love no man other than myte husband. Moreover, I could never harbour as much hatred for anyone as I do for Remus. He stole everything from me, raping, abusing, and enving me. The only silver lining in that darkness is our daughter, Cercei. No matter the hardships I endured, my love for her knows no bounds.


    As it stands, I findfort in knowing that she is safe, having been rescued by the Malroux pack just in the nick of time. Though I turned my back on my pack, I know they will always embrace my daughter with open hearts.


    Cercei, darling, fear not for my well-being. Your little fling here is just using me to scare Remus.


    In an unexpected turn of events, my door room suddenly swung open, revealing a servant pushing a cartden with a sumptuous sushi banquet. My jaw dropped as I recognized the person behind the cart.


    ¡°Maria,¡± I eximed, utterly taken aback. A warm smile graced her face as she spotted me, and the guard closed the door behind her. I rushed to embrace her, unable to contain my surprise.


    ¡°Oh, child,¡± I murmured, my hand gently caressing her head.


    ¡°I missed you, Auntie Emilia,¡± she said, her eyes welling with tears.


    ¡°We missed you too, especially Cercei,¡± I replied, my voice tinged with emotion. It felt surreal to see her here, free from the prison of the mansion.


    ¡°How is she?¡± Maria inquired.


    ¡°She missed you dearly, feeling worried and lonely,¡± I confided, prompting a soft chuckle from the resilient girl before me. I¡¯ve always held a deep affection for Maria; she¡¯s Cercei¡¯s closest friend from the mansion, and her strength and fierceness never cease to amaze me.


    My heart swelled with relief and concern as I listened to Maria¡¯s exnation. It seemed she and Madam Cec¨¨ had been taken and brought to this ce, just like me. The revtion that Madam Cec¨¨ was also here left me gasping in shock.


    Maria went on to unveil the reason behind Lucian¡¯s quest for revenge, and it sent chills down my spine. Monsieur was responsible for the ambush that took Lucian¡¯s mother¡¯s life, and in his thirst for vengeance, Lucian had coerced Madam Cec¨¨ to disclose the information he sought. This was how he came to know about Cercei¡¯s roots and the secrets that haunted our lives.


    Madam Cec¨¨¡¯s knowledge about Remus ran deep, having worked in the mansion for a considerable time, even serving Remus¡¯ parents. However, despite her long tenure, her loyalty never belonged to them. Like the rest of us, she endured mistreatment, disrespect, and abuse under their oppressive rule.


    The question that lingered in my mind escaped my lips, ¡°Did Lucian lock you two here?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Maria responded. ¡°After he obtained the answers he sought, he offered us the freedom to go wherever we pleased. Moreover, he pledged to shield us from Monsieur¡¯s wrath.¡±


    My curiosity still lingered, and I inquired, ¡°Then why did you choose to stay here?¡±


    Maria¡¯s answer touched my heart. ¡°I have nowhere else to go, and I wanted to be close to you and Cercei again. You understand theplexities of our difficult situations, don¡¯t you, Auntie?¡± Her grin conveyed her understanding, and I nodded in agreement, a smile breaking through.


    Without hesitation, I invited her to join me, saying, ¡°Sit and eat with me, child.¡±


    We settled down together and enjoyed the food.

 Chapter 70: Discussing Best Possible Plan

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± inquired Aunt Mnie with a determined glint in her eyes.


    Upon my heartfelt conversation with Vincent, I was profoundly aware that wallowing in despair and resenting the world would benefit me to nothing. It was time to break free from the self-imposed confinement of my room.


    As I took that step out into the world, Aunt Mnie enfolded me in a warm embrace, her emotions overflowing into tears of relief and gratitude towards Vincent to the point where it bordered on being slightly awkward.


    ¡°Let¡¯s retrieve my Mom,¡± I dered with relentless will.


    ¡°That¡¯s more of a wish than a concrete n, my dear,¡± Aunt Mnie¡¯s upper lip curled up in a wry smile.


    Currently situated inside Vincent¡¯s study, the three of us-my Aunt, myself, and Vincent, apanied by a few of his trusted men, decided to keep our intentions concealed from the elders, thus avoiding any potential discussion about the arranged marriage.


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin with my Mom¡¯s whereabouts. Where are they holding my mother captive?¡± I inquired with urgency.


    ¡°In the North,¡± Aunt Mnie responded, albeit unhelpfully.


    ¡°Bloody hell, can you be more specific?¡± I vented my frustration.


    ¡°Do you curse now? My influence on you is indeed deep,¡± Aunt Mnie remarked with pride, patting her chest and gazing at me adoringly. I shook my head, amused by her antics.


    Vincent interjected, ¡°I  have an idea of their whereabouts,¡± directing our attention to a specific point on the map.


    ¡°Red¡¯s headquarters,¡± he pointed out.


    ¡°How do you know this?¡± I asked inquisitively.


    ¡°I have been there before,¡± Vincent replied, still focusing on the map.


    ¡°For what reason?¡± I wanted to probe further, curious about it.


    ¡°I used to run a business with their leader.¡± He added, noticing our lingering gazes, prompting me to refrain from prying, especially considering the sensitive nature of their dealings, given their alpha statuses.


    My mind now focused on practical matters, I asked, ¡°How can we reach there without getting caught?¡±


    ¡°My dear, that¡¯s simr to wishing to witness a dinosaur in the 21st century,¡± Aunt Mnie yfully quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. Vincent shot her a nce.


    ¡°She¡¯s right. The location is heavily guarded and boasts advanced security measures. Thousands of men are patrolling the area, and the entire North is under Lucian¡¯s control,¡± Vincent revealed, momentarily shattering my hopes.


    ¡°Then what?¡± I asked, my hope dwindling to almost nothing. Lucian held an iron grip on the northern region, and even if we could somehow miraculously breach his high-tech headquarters and escape unnoticed, leaving the North without him knowing seemed like an impossible feat. His power was just too overwhelming to outsmart.


    ¡°Knock through their front door,¡± Vincent proposed. I half-expected him to follow up with a jest, but his expression remained earnest. I nced at Aunt Mnie, and she mirrored his serious look.


    ¡°You must be joking,¡± I said to them both, hoping for some reassurance, but they remained silent.


    ¡°They¡¯ll kill us before we can utter a single word-¡± I began, anxiety taking hold of me.


    ¡°He can¡¯t do that to you,¡± Aunt Mnie interjected, and I furrowed my brow in confusion.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m well aware of your little romantic entanglement at the caf¨¦,¡± she said with a smirk, causing my cheeks to blush with embarrassment.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Vincent chimed in, raising his hand in a gesture of jest. I rolled my eyes at their teasing.


    ¡°Romantic entanglement?¡± I repeated my Aunt¡¯s choice of words with disdain.


    ¡°Almost boyfriend?¡± she yfully suggested another term.


    ¡°Please, Auntie,¡± I begged her to take the matter seriously.


    ¡°Alright, alright. Little crush cakes,¡± they both burst intoughter, leaving me feeling utterly befuddled.


    ¡°Are you done teasing me?¡± I asked, waiting for them topose themselves.


    ¡°Back to the n,¡± I said, pouting slightly.


    ¡°He won¡¯t harm you; you must be the bait,¡± Vincent remarked nonchntly. The audacity of his statement left me doubtful. After all, Lucian had kidnapped my mother!


    ¡°What on earth do you intend to do?¡± I questioned them, bewildered by the notion of me being bait while they sneaked around. It sounded like a useless effort.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Vincent simply shrugged.


    ¡°What?¡± I gasped at his casual response.


    ¡°You¡¯ll knock on his door, give him your most innocent look, deceive him, and retrieve Emilia,¡± Aunt Mnie exined, winking at me while giving my shoulder a light tap. It sounded less like a n and more like a whimsical wish list.


    ¡°And what¡¯s your role in all of this?¡± I pointed at both of them.


    ¡°Moral support,¡± Vincent grinned.


    Listening to their seemingly audacious n, I couldn¡¯t discern whether they were serious or teasing me. The idea of showing up at Lucian¡¯s doorstep and asking for my mother sounded utterly irrational and difficult. What if his men shot me on sight? Of course, I was scared; this n sounded nothing short of madness.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me,¡± I eximed, massaging my temples. Did Ie out of my self-imposed istion for this irrational situation?


    Aunt Mnie, however, seemed unfazed by my anxiety. ¡°You know this is the best chance we have for now,¡± she replied, shrugging her shoulders.


    Best chance? Could she truly believe that?


    Vincent chimed in, reinforcing their stance. ¡°Attacking them directly would be suicide. Sneaking in or out is nearly impossible, and a full-blown army would only escte matters. Kidnapping your mother¡¯s back is equally unfeasible. This is our most viable option to get it done.¡±


    As much as I loathed to admit it, their reasoning made a grim kind of sense. ¡°But how can you be so certain that he won¡¯t hurt me?¡± I asked, still not entirely convinced.


    Aunt Mnie gave me a sly wink. ¡°Oh, I am more than sure,¡± she assured me.


    Reluctantly, I realised that I might not have any other choice. If our positions were reversed, I knew my mother would stop at nothing to save me, even if it meant risking her own life. I had to be just as persistent.


    ¡°I want Mam¨¤ back,¡± I dered firmly, feeling a surge of determination.


    Vincent looked at me with a furrowed brow. ¡°So you¡¯re going to do it?¡± he asked, seeking confirmation.


    I nodded, mustering the courage to face the dangerous task ahead. I would knock on Lucian¡¯s front door, deploy my best acting skills, deceive him, and secure my mother¡¯s release. But deep down, I knew it would be far from easy.


    As I contemted the challenges thaty ahead, I began to doubt myself. However, Vincent¡¯s reassuring words provided a glimmer of hope. ¡°We¡¯ll always have your back. You just have to try to work your chances with him while we prepare for the worst,¡± he reassured me.


    I smiled gratefully at him. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said sincerely, reflecting on how he had been the catalyst for me to rise from despair and decide to fight once more. His leadership and support had been instrumental in guiding me forward, and I knew his pack was indeed fortunate to have him as their leader.

 Chapter 71: Deep Kiss On Her

    Frank¡¯s POV


    ¡°Is there still no sign of her?¡± Lord Lucian inquired with evident impatience. I remained silent, my stare cast downward.


    I could sense his escting anger and growing frustration with each passing day. He seethed with a thirst for revenge, fuelled by his righteous resentment. And it was my fault that the ambush had urred; I med myself entirely. In my mind, it should have been me lying lifeless instead. I had pledged to protect them, just as my father had done before me.


    Our dedication to the Red spanned countless generations, but I, thetest in our lineage, had failed in my duty.


    At the time of the incident, we had men assigned to secure thepany. However, most were absent, with half stationed on Dinan, while the others roamed the world in pursuit of Miss Cercei and her mother. Our forces were significantly outnumbered, and I found myself entangled in a fierce battle against the MoonStone wolves, oblivious to the fact that Madam had been taken.


    Lucian wearily rubbed the bridge of his nose, shifting between plotting his revenge and drowning in a sea of paperwork. Never before had I witnessed him in such a state.


    ¡°We have her mother; I¡¯m certain she won¡¯t simply abandon her. Miss Cercei will appear soon,¡± I asserted with conviction. While I might not possess an intimate knowledge of Miss Cercei, I had personally witnessed the depth of her love for her mother in the grand mansion.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wish to be disturbed with another report unless it pertains to her location,¡± Alpha Lucian retorted dismissively. I nodded in understanding and left him to his privacy inside his office.


    ¡°Is he in a foul mood?¡± came a voice just as I gently closed the door.


    It was Maria who stood before me, holding a trayden with food. Surprise flickered across my face as I intercepted the tray from her grasp, swiftly passing it to one of our men to take away.


    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re not a servant,¡± I scolded her, my frustration evident.


    Maria, however, remained unaffected and nonchntly shrugged her shoulders, locking eyes with me. ¡°It¡¯s no biggie,¡± she replied casually.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t rescue you from that mansion to be a ve here. You¡¯re a free woman now,¡± I said, my voice tinged with anger.


    Lord Lucian had dispatched me on a mission to capture Madam Cec¨¨ from the Crescent¡¯s mansion. As the Head Servant, she held valuable information about Lord Remus, and we intended to use her knowledge to our advantage. Maria had inadvertently witnessed our actions that night, so I decided to bring her along, not as a prisoner, but to spare her from the horrors of that ce.


    ¡°Why are you still hanging around, by the way?¡± I inquired, my tone remaining harsh.


    Maria let out a mockingly exaggerated sigh, yfully clutching her chest. Her sharp, womanly features contrasted with her naughty and somewhat vexing personality. At first nce, one might mistake her for a serious woman, but that illusion would quickly shatter once she began speaking.


    ¡°I know you¡¯d miss having me around,¡± she teased, winking at me. I gave her a t expression, causing her to pout her crimson lips.


    ¡°Loosen up, dude,¡± she suggested, lightly tapping my shoulders. I merely nced at her hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be as stern and grumpy as your boss,¡± she quipped, bursting intoughter before departing. As she left, she even yfully pushed me.


    Maria exuded a zest for life that was infectious. Despite having endured abuse and envement, she managed to retain her witty, yful demeanour.


    We had crossed paths in the mansion when Lord Lucian mistakenly believed Miss Vienna to be his mate. Maria had been the one to show me around, and I couldn¡¯t help but admire her spirit, despite finding her asionally exasperating.


    She had the rare ability to make meugh, a feat not easily achieved. In her presence, emotions surfaced on my otherwise stoic countenance; she made me feel things, a brightness amidst this sad world.


    I couldn¡¯t understand why she still bothered to talk to me. After Lord Lucian broke off ties with the Crescents, I had bluntly informed her that I had no connection to her. Our time together in the mansion had been brief, and though something special had developed between us, it hadn¡¯t yet deepened, at least not to my knowledge.


    I stopped myself, understanding that it was useless, forbidden for us to be together. Our dutiesy in opposite directions, and my dangerous life was no ce for her. Protecting the Red consumed my time and energy, leaving little room for personal entanglements.


    She deserved someone wholly devoted to her, a man unburdened by sworn duties, a guardian who could protect her every moment. Regrettably, I could not be that man.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ****


    ¡°Send word to all our men across the globe. Fucking search more diligently!¡± I shouted at my trusted leader, releasing my grip on his cor with clenched teeth. He nodded fearfully, hastening to leave my sight.


    A week had passed since we acquired her mother, yet there was still no sign of Miss Cercei. I hoped she would appear, begging for her mother¡¯s safety, though our intentions were never to harm her.


    Dealing with Lord Lucian had been an ongoing headache for the past three months; he suddenly became a pain in the ass, and worse, he became irritabletely.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been standing there for too long, can I fetch you some water?¡± My heart sank as I witnessed Maria asking one of our guards if he desired anything. What was she doing? Had she mistaken this ce for a restaurant?


    The guard paid no attention to her, maintaining a stoic posture. Internally, I gritted my teeth, hoping he wouldn¡¯t dare to converse further with her.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She waved her hand before the man, trying to be endearing.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± I grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the guard¡¯s vicinity. Signaling him dismissively, he saluted and left.


    ¡°I was just concerned if he might be tired or thirsty,¡± she responded, seemingly oblivious to her effect on other men. I didn¡¯t want them to misinterpret her kindness.


    ¡°Stop distracting them from their duties,¡± I said, my face darkening. I looked into her enchanting eyes that radiated innocence.


    ¡°What is your problem?!¡± Sheshed out, breaking free from my grasp.


    ¡°You left me in that wretched mansion, then suddenly kidnapped me, and now I¡¯m here, yet you¡¯re acting all moody and dictating what I can or cannot do. Screw you, fucking¡­.¡±


    Before she could finish her words, I pulled her closer and kissed her deeply and passionately. My lips explored every corner of her mouth, savouring her taste like a prized delicacy.


    Gradually, I felt her tense body rx, and she surrendered to the fervent embrace, reciprocating with equal passion.


    ¡°You, crazy woman,¡± I whispered between our entangled lips.

 Chapter 72: Cold Treatment

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°This is an act of suicide,¡± I murmured quietly, my words escaping in a hushed breath.


    Presently, I find myself at the airport, preparing to travel North to take back my dear mother. Our eagerness in pursuing this seemingly foolish scheme is adamant, which is why I stand here now. When I set foot in the Northern region, Lucian¡¯s henchmen will undoubtedly swoop down on me, whisking me away to their stronghold.


    ¡°Rx,¡± Vincent¡¯s reassuring voice sounded through the discreet earpiece I wore. I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes, though I knew he couldn¡¯t see my gesture.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Easy for you to say while seatedfortably in your office,¡± I retorted sharply.


    ¡°I am the one helping you,¡± He countered, brushing off my sly insult.


    ¡°Yes, indeed, my husband,¡± If the elders were to learn of our audacious n and Vincent¡¯s involvement, they would undoubtedly have us bound by matrimony already.


    ¡°Enough banter,¡± He yfully growled, and I could envision him rolling his eyes at my jest.


    ¡°Wish me luck,¡± I uttered as I settled into my seat on the ne. The flight attendant graciously handed me a drink, which I gratefully epted. I rarely indulge in alcohol, but at this moment, I felt the need for something to calm my nerves.


    ¡°Be careful, my dear shithead, remember, this line is always open. If things go awry, just press the button, understand?¡± I chuckled at his chosen moniker for me due to my chestnut hair-a characteristic jest from Vincent. Before my departure, he gifted me a bracelet with a discreetly concealed button linked directly to him. He instructed me to press it only in dire circumstances, signaling that I required immediate help. ording to him, he would dispatch an entire army to the North upon receiving the signal.


    ¡°Thank you, dumbhead,¡± I replied warmly and then switched off the earpiece. Leaning back, I sighed, staring out of the window as the ne lifted off the ground. I am on my way, Mam¨¤.


    ****


    ¡°Thank you for flying with us,¡± the flight attendant beamed as we disembarked from the ne. I smiled back, disguising the thoughts of the reckless undertaking I was about to take on.


    As expected, the airport surroundings were teeming with Lucian¡¯s men, their imposing figures refusing to blend into the background as they dominated the space. d in vibrant ck suits, they moved with purpose, their eyes trained on me as they conversed discreetly through their earpieces.


    Calmly, I collected my luggage and feigned ignorance of their intense scrutiny. Aiming for a semnce of normalcy, I even strolled over to the airport¡¯s Starbucks to order a coffee.


    ¡°What the hell!¡± I eximed incredulously as panic suddenly rippled through the crowd. In an instant, the entire airport was put on lockdown; ss windows and doors were sealed shut as security personnel ushered everyone out.


    Did they truly think such excessive measures necessary for a solo person like me? I couldn¡¯t understand their rationale.


    Clutching my iced coffee tightly, I watched in bewilderment as ten suit-d men began to approach me. This was it-the moment I had anticipated.


    ¡°Cercei Forbes, we need you toe with us,¡± A tall man that I guess to be their leader spoke sternly. Despite the fierce beating of my heart, I maintained a facade ofposure, casually sipping my coffee and adjusting my sses.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± I quipped with a shake of the cup, the sound of ice tinkling against ss surprisingly satisfying even amidst the tense situation.


    ¡°Hey!¡± I protested when two men forcibly grabbed my arms, causing my iced coffee to spill. My beloved hazelnut with an extra whip!


    ¡°That is not the right way to treat a woman!¡± I attempted to wrestle free, but my efforts were met with handcuffs swiftly confining my wrists.


    ¡°Are you kidding-¡± My words were abruptly silenced by a piece of duct tape pressed against my mouth.


    Assholes! Every fibre of my being wanted to retaliate, to unleash fury on them, but I reminded myself that this was all part of the n. I needed to be captured and delivered to their headquarters.


    Oh, how I yearned to press the button concealed in my bracelet and have Vincent¡¯s men swoop in to deal with these brutes. Yet, I understood that they were reluctantly carrying out their orders. One petite woman against an army of towering giants, restrained by handcuffs and silenced by duct tape, was utterly infuriating.


    If res could inflict mortal wounds, they would have been attending their own funerals by now. I attempted to curse them even through the muffling tape, but it came out as nothing more than unnoticeable murmurs. I ceased my futile struggle; it was a waste of energy.


    Yes, I cursed, and perhaps rightly so, given all that I had endured. Surely, even the Moon Goddess would understand the depth of my frustration.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be joking,¡± I mumbled as they ushered me into a waiting vehicle, my eyes instantly blindfolded .


    Now rendered blind, mute, and virtually powerless, I sat stoically, resigning myself to the reality of the situation.


    ¡°Lord Lucian will be most pleased,¡± one of them dered. If only I could roll my eyes, I would have done that abundantly.


    ¡°I was the one who spotted her first,¡± imed another, their voices filled with a miid sense of pride.


    ¡°That¡¯s utter rubbish; it was me! I was the one who spotted her first!¡± The other also insisted, their squabbling continuing even in this tense moment.


    ¡°Enough, both of you or I¡¯ll personally put a bullet through your damn heads!¡± Their leader¡¯smanding voice barked, and for a fleeting moment, I silently cheered him on. Yes, do it, sir!


    The car came to a halt, indicating our arrival at our destination. They dragged me out, and I seethed beneath the tape that muffled my curses. If only I were free, I would have rained my fury on them without restraint.


    Blindfolded and disoriented, I stood among the silence, and the coldness in the air confirmed we were indeed in the North.


    I strained to listen, footsteps approaching, and then that scent, unmistakably familiar, it was Lucian¡¯s. My heart swayed at the memory it invoked. How long had it been since Ist encountered that alluring and seductive fragrance-I couldn¡¯t help but inhale deeply, savouring it despite the circumstances.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± It was Frank who spoke.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you guys? Release her,¡± hemanded, and the men promptly uncuffed me, removing the tape with such haste that it stung, followed by the removal of the blindfold.


    As my eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, the first sight that greeted me was Lucian¡¯s form standing a few paces away. Yet, when I met his stare, I felt a sharp pang in my chest. His eyes were vacant, devoid of any emotion. There was no hint of anger, no indifference, not even a trace of longing. They were simply nk, empty.


    My anger momentarily subsided as I locked eyes with his greyish-blue eyes, which used to be like two mesmerising pools I could lose myself in. Lucian¡¯s stern demeanour and stoic facade were familiar, but this time they appeared colder than the very weather that surrounded us. His face was covered with scruffy stubble, adding to his already intimidating aura.


    At this moment, my anger lessened, reced by the realisation that he had changed. Evidently, he no longer looked at me like he once did. There were no emotions in his eyes, as though I held no significance in his life anymore, as though our past connection had been erased, rendered meaningless.

 Chapter 73: Take Her To Her Cage

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    With an icy demeanour, he did not spare even a fleeting nce in my direction, not lingering longer than I did.


    ¡°No, put back her cuffs,¡± hemanded, his voice sending shivers down my spine.


    As I gazed down at my restrained hands, a wave of sorrow flooded me, realising that the man I had once loved was no more. The person I knew as Lucian, with whom I had shared enchanting moments in Dinan and the strongest Alpha I encountered in the mansion, had transformed into a wholly different being.


    My attention shifted to Frank, standing beside him, a sly greeting concealed in his eyes. Lucian paid me no attention as he engaged in conversation with his men, issuing authoritative orders.


    ¡°Good to see you again, Miss Cercei,¡± Frank addressed me while the firm grip of one of the men held my left arm.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say the same,¡± I retorted, unwilling to feign any semnce of pleasure at encountering the man responsible for my mother¡¯s abduction.


    Ignoring my response, Frank pressed on with a sickeningly polite tone, ¡°I hope you enjoy your stay.¡±


    Suppressing the fury bubbling inside my heart, I gritted my teeth, yearning to free my hands from the shackles and deliver a punch right at him. Surely, one punch couldn¡¯t threaten therger n in motion.


    ¡°Where is my mother?¡± I demanded, remembering the purpose that brought me here. I couldn¡¯t afford to be consumed by heartbreak for the person Lucian once was or be swallowed whole by anger directed at Frank.


    The air was fraught with tension, my emotions coiling like a tightly wound spring, poised to unravel in this dangerous dance of intentions.


    Bound by a n, I could not afford to act on my impulses. The consequences were far-reaching, endangering my life and Vincent¡¯s and the lives of thousands of men who might be drawn into a conflict if I sumbed to the whims of my inner voice.


    ¡°Take her to her cage,¡± Lucianmanded Frank, leaving both of us stunned. A cage? What on earth did he mean?


    ¡°Do we have a cage here?¡± Frank furrowed his brows, striving for rification from Lucian, who responded with a knowing look. Frank nodded and proceeded to lead me away.


    A rush of bewilderment and resentment surged into my heart. A cage? Surely, I hadn¡¯t expected a luxurious suite, but this was beyond anything I could have imagined. What had I be in Lucian¡¯s eyes? A mere animal? Perhaps his resentment towards me was deeper than I could understand!


    ¡°Is he joking about the cage?¡± I inquired anxiously, but Frank merely nced at me, withholding an answer.


    We arrived at a small cer wrapped in ss. It was scarcelyrger than a closet, barely amodating a bed or possibly a chair. I couldn¡¯t be certain. Panic and disgust flooded me as I was trapped in this confined space.


    ¡°I have ustrophobia,¡± I admitted, my fear and difort were apparent. With its unforgiving square walls, the ustrophobic cell felt like a prison worse than hell.


    ¡°I¡¯ll request a bedroom prepared for you,¡± Frank stated, his tonecking any genuine concern.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied out of habit, although I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that gratitude was unnecessary in this situation.


    ¡°As you should,¡± Frank retorted with a faint smile before locking the cer and departing.


    With a sigh, I acknowledged thepletion of the initial stage of our n. I found myself in a tightly cornered space, watched over by guards stationed just metres away. The ss walls seemed to mute all sound, leaving me alone with the sound of my own breathing.


    Utilising a concealed earpiece, I secretlymunicated with Vincent. The advantage of this soundproof chamber allowed me to speak to him without raising suspicions or beingbelled as a crazy woman talking to myself.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I whispered, even though no one was around to hear us. One of the guards nced in my direction, prompting me to hide my mouth behind my hair to suppress the movement of my lips.


    ¡°Cercei, you¡¯re alive!¡± Vincent¡¯s relievedughter came through the earpiece.


    ¡°You doubted it?¡± I teased, trying to lighten the mood despite my dire circumstances.


    ¡°No,¡± Vincent¡¯s voice sounded hesitant, and I could only shake my head in a discreet response.


    ¡°The first part of the n isplete,¡± I reported, trying to maintain a pretence ofposure.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Then proceed to the second part,¡± he urged.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going to work,¡± I admitted, biting my lip nervously.


    The sess of our entire n hinged on Lucian¡¯s alleged ¡®feelings¡¯ for me, words that I struggled to believe.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Vincent asked, his confusion evident.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­ changed,¡± I faltered, my voice breaking slightly. A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line, and tears threatened to escape my eyes. I disliked the unfolding truth, but I had to face it.


    ¡°He¡¯s cold and ruthless, indifferent. He¡¯s not the same person anymore, Vince, and I don¡¯t think our n stands a chance,¡± I confessed, my hope fading away. It pained me to admit this reality, especially because I deeply loved him. Seeing him again, after leaving him behind in Dinan, stirred emotions that felt like ages ago, though it had been merely a short span of time.


    ¡°Then remind him,¡± Vincent suggested, offering a glimmer of hope.


    ¡°Remind him of what it used to feel like. Make him remember who he used to be,¡± he encouraged.


    ¡°All I want is my Mam¨¤ back,¡± I tried to steady my voice, but my tears betrayed my efforts.


    ¡°You know it¡¯s more than that,¡± Vincent responded meaningfully.


    More than that, he said. I wiped the tears from my eyes, scolding myself silently for breaking down when I knew crying wouldn¡¯t fit into this dangerous n.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I will remind him. I will get my mother back sooner than you think,¡± I said, attempting to regain my strength.


    ¡°Good, ¡¯cause I¡¯m too busy for our wedding,¡± Vincent tried to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Aww, I was already getting excited about my wedding gown,¡± I quipped, eliciting a chuckle from him.


    ¡°You can do this, Cercei. I know you can,¡± he encouraged, his voice sincere.


    ¡°Thank you, Vince. I¡¯ll be in touch,¡± I expressed my gratitude before switching off the earpiece.


    Lucian Red, you may act cold and indifferent all you want, but I¡¯ll make sure to remind you of everything we had-the way you looked at me, the way you spoke, and the way we kissed. I¡¯ll reboot your heart, and this time, I¡¯ll ensure my influence on you is unforgettable.


    When you finally remember, I¡¯ll take back my mother right under your nose. I¡¯ll make you give up everything for me, just as you used to. I long to see that lost puppy look on your face once more.


    And rest assured, I¡¯ll exact my revenge for putting me in this wretched cage. This suffocating space is tormenting me. I despise small ces, and I swear to make you regret ever locking me up here.

 Chapter 74: What Happened To You, Lucian Red

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I found myself trapped in a ustrophobic ss cage for the entire night, and the difort had taken a toll on my back as severe pain lingered. The space was so cramped that I couldn¡¯t even stretch out properly.


    I wonder if he despises me now, does he?


    Morning arrived, and they transferred me to a room below ground level without any windows. Though still far from ideal, it¡¯s a better improvement over the dreadful cage.


    Doubts about this n had been creeping into my head even before its execution, but now my hope haspletely dwindled. Lucian hasn¡¯t bothered to visit me since his guards dragged me here.


    I half-expected a furious rant, or perhaps I¡¯m just being too self-absorbed. Was he hurt when I left? Because I certainly was, and my heart pains at the thought that it meant nothing to him. Was he merely pretending?


    Or could it be that capturing me was his n all along, and he merely grew tired of pursuing me physically? What a despicable man!


    The sheer silence in this room is unbearable! It bored me to death! Apart from a bed, a bathroom, and a bedside table, there¡¯s absolutely nothing. A prison cell would probably be a more exciting ce to be. At mealtimes, they simply slide a tray of food through a small opening in the door as if I were some infectious being. This treatment is utterly absurd.


    What about my own n? How am I supposed to remind him of it from here? It¡¯s frustrating! I wish I could punch his impably chiselled face and watch his perfect teeth bleed. That would certainly be a sight to enjoy.


    I was daydreaming about my revenge on Lucian when the door suddenly opened, startling me from my thoughts of violence.


    Well, it seems the power of manifestation truly works, for there, he stands before me. He was wrapped in a ck button-down polo with undone buttons, ck trousers, and stylish brown shoes. His sleeves folded up to his elbows, showing his tattooed arms. He appears rather dashing. Wait, did he get a new tattoo? It looks rather appealing. Wait, what again, Cercei?! Are you admiring this arrogant Alpha now?


    ¡°With what do I owe the honour of this visit?¡± I quipped sarcastically while sitting on the bed, and he leaned casually against the door frame.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    His gaze remained cold as ten men suddenly entered the room, each carrying boxes from renowned luxury brands. I couldn¡¯t help but feel baffled. What on earth was going on?


    ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± I furrowed my brows, seeking an exnation. He waved his hand dismissively, and his men promptly left the room.


    ¡°We¡¯re attending a ball tomorrow night. Dress yourself up,¡± he said with an air of dismissal. He was about to leave, but I couldn¡¯t let him go so easily. I stood up.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± My eyes darted to the boxes, and there were literally hundreds of them. How many balls did he n on attending?


    ¡°Ball tomorrow night. Dress up appropriately,¡± he repeated sternly. I gritted my teeth; what an utter jerk he had turned out to be.


    ¡°I heard you perfectly well when you uttered those words, no need to repeat yourself,¡± I shot back, looking at him sharply.


    ¡°Then why bother asking?¡± he snorted. I¡¯m not one to advocate violence, but some people seem determined to test your patience.


    ¡°Why are you taking me to a ball?¡± I folded my arms. Oh, you¡¯re missing our little date, huh, Mr. Pancake?


    ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. I want to show Remus that you¡¯re also under my control,¡± he casually mentioned. Show Monsieur? Did he mean the Ruler¡¯s Ball?


    I had heard that the Ruler¡¯s Ball was where all the Alphas and important figures, more specifically wolves, gathered. Was he really bringing me along? I knew he only wanted to provoke Monsieur¡¯s emotions, but did he genuinely want to be seen with me in a gathering filled with elegant aristocrats? Numerous refineddies were vying for his attention, and if he appeared at the event with nopanion, it would fuel unpleasant rumours.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain there are plenty of ways to let him know that I¡¯m under your control,¡± I retorted mockingly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a request; you¡¯re going whether you like it or not,¡± he dered with a clenched jaw. I red at him with piercing eyes. I had forgotten how bossy he could be.


    ¡°Then why on earth give me a million options if my opinion doesn¡¯t matter, huh?¡± I gestured toward the mountain of luxury brand boxes scattered on the floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you standing by my side looking like a beggar, wearing rags,¡± he said mercilessly. My mocking expression vanished, unable to hide how deeply his words affected me.


    ¡°Beggar? Rags?¡± I nced down at my outfit, a yellow dress paired with brown slippers, pieces my Aunt had bought for me. She¡¯s a fashion icon, for Pete¡¯s sake. How dare he refer to it as rags? Or was he implying my previous maid attire or waitress uniform?


    A hollowugh escaped my lips, devoid of any emotion.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I shrugged my shoulders, keeping my response concise. I refused to let him think he held power over me or affected me in any way.


    As I avoided looking at him, my eyes fell on the countless boxes scattered around the room. I could sense his eyes on me for a moment before he left.


    Once the door closed, tears welled up in my eyes like an unstoppable river. I had grown so ustomed to his care and politeness that I never anticipated witnessing his Alpha demeanour turn ruthless and evil.


    I had been fooling myself. Part of me had hoped that he would be pleased to see me again because, despite everything, I was d to see him. Yes, what I did might have been cruel, but I did it to protect him.


    But now, I don¡¯t recognize him anymore. He seemed like a walking robot, devoid of emotions, authoritative, and ruthless. A far cry from the man I knew from that dreadful mansion or the loyal customer who frequented the caf¨¦.


    What had happened to him during these past months? I hadn¡¯t heard a word from him, and then suddenly, his men appeared at the airport and took my mother. Initially, I foolishly thought he did it to get back at me, but now I¡¯m not even sure if I hold any significance in his life. I feel like an invisible speck of dust to him.


    What does he truly want? Why did he take my mother? What happened to you, Lucian Red? The questions echoed in my mind, but I knew that finding the answers would not be easy. It seemed that the man I once knew had be a mystery wrapped in a riddle, and I feared that digging the truth might shatter my heart even more.

 Chapter 75: Introduce As His Wife

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Throughout the course of my life, I have endured an unending stream of insults and harsh words from various people. Yet, amongst them all, his cutting remarks pierced me to the core, despite my futile attempts to brush them off.


    His words left a deep wound inside me, and though I felt resentment, I tried to understand his perspective.


    Opening the boxes one by one, I was greeted by a dazzling array of shoes and dresses, yet an ache gnawed at my chest. This collection represented his vision of what was valuable, but did he see me as mere trash?


    Why should I be surprised? I am merely a low-born servant destined for life to serve them. Nevertheless, I hadn¡¯t anticipated such venomous words from him as his affectionate manners in Dinan had fooled me.


    He brought me pyjamas, lotions, skincare, and perfumes. Under different circumstances, I might have considered his gesture considerate. However, he had already made it clear that he wished to distance himself from me in my ragged clothes. So, I assumed he wouldn¡¯t want me to exude a simr smell.


    After eating my dinner, I retired to my bed. Staring at the ceiling, I pondered whether this was a wise decision, knowing full well it was careless, yet the uncertainty lingered.


    The following morning, I woke up with a sense of unease, clueless about what attire to wear. My knowledge of sophisticated clothing was rather limited. As much as I longed to embarrass Lucian by wearing ¡®rags,¡¯ it would also mean embracing my true self, and that was something I couldn¡¯t bear to do. Oh, how I yearned for Aunt Mnie¡¯s presence; she was proficient in fashion.


    In the end, I settled on a green satin gown elegantly fitted with a daring slit and a Grecian neckline. I believed it entuated the hues of my eyes andplemented the shade of my hair.


    Standing before the mirror, I saw not just a servant of low birth but a woman with her own beauty and grace, deserving of dignity and respect.


    Aunt Mnie had taught me a thing or two about makeup, and before I took a final look at myself in the mirror, I whisked some perfume. At this moment, I felt like a forest goddess, ready to face the world.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    As the door swung open, there stood Lucian, dressed perfectly in an all-ck tuxedo, including his dress shirt. My knees trembled as he scanned me from head to toe.


    ¡°Is it eptable, or do I still look like I¡¯m wearing rags?¡± I uttered, trying to conceal my nervousness. His intense gaze bore into me, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the subtle movement of his Adam¡¯s apple as he swallowed before looking away.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he said abruptly, not offering any sort ofpliment, genuine or otherwise. I had risked my life trying to get this makeup right, though I hardly knew a thing about it. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but feel that I had done a darn good job, especially with my red zing lips that perfectlyplimented my outfit, not to mention the gold jewelry he had bought for me. Yet, he seemed utterly ungrateful, that brute!


    But, at least I had finally escaped the trap of this room.


    The ball was being held in the North, and we made our way there in a luxurious limo.


    Throughout the ride, I sat awkwardly while he buried himself in his phone, disying that calm demeanour of his that always left me feeling restless.


    The venue for the ball was a hotel owned by one of the wealthiest alphas in the North. It was a grand, rich ce, with its interiors decorated with chandeliers and every aspect oozing extravagance. Paparazzi swarmed the area, their incessant shes causing my head to throb, and we were still in the car!


    Apparently, every car was expected to stop in the middle of a staircase, and there was a red carpet for us to make our grand entrance. Is this event a Met G or something?


    ¡°Pretend,¡± Lucian coldly instructed me before we exited the car.


    We posed for the cameras, his grip on my waist firm and unyielding.


    ¡°Mr. Red, is she your girlfriend?¡± one reporter asked.


    ¡°Mr. Red, is she your wife?¡± another chimed in.


    ¡°Can you tell us about the incident with your mother?¡± a third inquired, apparently trying to dig into his personal life.


    I tried to maintain myposure, but deep inside, my emotions churned. It seemed that drama and attention followed wherever Lucian went, and I was reluctantly caught in the spotlight with him. Nheless, I straightened my back, mustered a smile, and prepared myself for whatever the night had in store.


    As the reporters persisted with their questions, one particr word stood out to me, ¡°incident.¡± However, before I could think deeper into it, Lucian firmly tugged me away by the hand, ignoring all the queries. I wanted to ask about what they meant, but this was hardly the appropriate ce for such discussions.


    I tried not to appear too impressed by thevish venue, though truthfully, the chandeliers alone might have cost more than my entire existence, or so it seemed.


    Everyone around us looked radiant, especially the women, and I felt like a lostmb surrounded by tigers. The weight of their gazes bore down on us as we entered, with all eyes fixated on Lucian¡¯s hand resting on my waist. The judgmental stares from the women made me swallow nervously, hoping I wouldn¡¯t trip and embarrass myself.


    ¡°Rx, you¡¯re so tense,¡± Lucian whispered, seemingly aware of my intense nervous. Well, who wouldn¡¯t feel on edge in a ce where they clearly didn¡¯t belong? This was my first ball, and certainly, the first one where I wasn¡¯t serving food and drinks as a lowly servant.


    The scrutiny from the crowd only added to the intimidation. I tried my best topose myself, but it was challenging when all attention seemed focused on us.


    ¡°My Lord Red, it is a pleasure to have you here, and you¡¯re¡­¡± a distinguished gentleman greeted us, likely in his 50¡¯s.


    ¡°My wife,¡± Lucian calmly replied, tightening his grip on my waist. His deration caught me by surprise, and I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying anything. Wife? Since when?


    The man seemed taken aback by Lucian¡¯s response, and I awkwardly smiled in response.


    I can¡¯t wait to punch you when we get home.


    ¡°Oh wow, she¡¯s very beautiful. I¡¯m Lupin Tyrell,¡± the gentleman introduced himself, offering his hand. I smiled and epted the gesture.


    ¡°I¡¯m Cercei, a pleasure to meet you, My Lord,¡± I replied with a slight bow.


    ¡°My Lord Lucian, I am Hugo of the Xenon Pack, it is an honour to be in your presence,¡± another Lord interjected. In fact, numerous Lords and Ladies greeted us, each one inquiring about me. I had to suppress my disbelief with every mention of being Lucian¡¯s wife.

 Chapter 76: Dance Together

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°I must confess, My Lord, I had no clue of your marital status. The news certainly caught me unawares, and I must jest that I had been anticipating an invitation,¡± an elderly man yfully remarked.


    ¡°A civil wedding, Lord Sergio, only the two of us and a judge,¡± Lucian swiftly fabricated, delivering the lie with such finesse that even I nearly fell for it. A consummate liar, indeed, making it all sound quite credible.


    ¡°A civil wedding? From the King In The North? Now, that¡¯s unexpected,¡± remarked another Lord.


    ¡°It all happened swiftly, and I simply couldn¡¯t bear to let her go,¡± Lucian held my hand, and I forced a smile on my face. The onlookers seemed deeply touched by our apparent ¡®love,¡¯ oblivious to the fact that I was nothing more than his prisoner.


    ¡°Worry not, for I am already nning a grand wedding,¡± he blurted out, his confidence brimming.


    ¡°I will wait for my invitation eagerly,¡± the Lord replied.


    ¡°Of course, My Lord,¡± Lucian winked.


    What a scoundrel! Not only is he a skilled liar, but he also raises false hopes among these people. A wedding, my foot!


    ¡°You must be joking!¡± I whispered angrily once they finally left. Trying to appear at ease, I continued to smile, concealing my burning desire to knock his head in.


    ¡°Your wife, huh?¡± I said those words with contempt.


    ¡°y along,¡± he replied coldly.


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t part of the agreement,¡± I murmured.


    ¡°There was no agreement. You do as I damn well please; you are my prisoner,¡± he stated through clenched teeth.


    ¡°I am not your ything, Lucian. I am not your wife, nor will I ever be,¡± I dered, striding away and seekingfort at the long table filled with a plethora of delicious dishes.


    I can¡¯t understand him! First, he transforms into this cold, ruthless, unfeeling robot, and now he has be a deceitful liar with grand aspirations. I would sooner kiss a horse than be his wife. And those journalists¡¯ words still gnaw at me. What incident and ambush are they referring to?


    ¡°Hello, foolish girl!¡± a voice called out from behind. My legs momentarily turned to jelly upon recognizing the familiar tone. Swiftly turning around, Iid my eyes on Vienna approaching.


    Dressed in a ck, form-fitting gown with a matching scarf beautifying her neck, her hair sleek and straight, she moved with graceful poise, exuding an air of mysterious allure. She appeared like a devilish goddess in her attire.


    ¡°Vienna,¡± I said, mustering the strength to appearposed and unbothered.


    ¡°What brings you here? The kitchen is that way,¡± she ridiculed, eyeing me mockingly, the same entitled and spoiled brat I remember.


    ¡°I¡¯m here with your fianc¨¦,¡± I retorted defiantly, shing a smug look.


    ¡°Oh, my apologies, your ex,¡± I added with a triumphant smile, tauntingly emphasising the word ¡®ex.¡¯ Her yful expression shifted to annoyance, and she pursed her lips.


    ¡°You certainly have a lot of nerve now,¡± she stepped closer.


    ¡°No matter how expensive the clothes you wear or the jewelry adorning you, it still looks cheap on you. You¡¯ll always be a lowborn, destined to be a servant,¡± she whispered intently into my ear. My fists clenched, but I restrained myself.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Lucian appeared behind me, his hands wrapping around my waist protectively. Vienna¡¯s eyes locked onto his hold.


    ¡°Nothing, just catching up with my maid,¡± she stressed thest word, and I could only re at her with fury.


    ¡°She¡¯s no longer a maid. From now on, you will speak to my wife respectfully,¡± Lucian asserted with authority. Vienna¡¯s eyes widened, shifting her gaze between me and Lucian.


    ¡°Wife?¡± She scoffed, clearly taken aback by the revtion. We both stood there, watching her reaction.


    ¡°This¡­ this trash is your wife?¡± she pointed at me, disdain dripping from her words.


    ¡°The next time you point the finger at her will be thest time you have hands,¡± fear crept onto her face as Lucian issued the chilling threat.


    ¡°Go back to your Daddy, Vienna, and give him my regards,¡± I said firmly. She gave me onest disgusted look before turning away and leaving.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to intervene in my battles,¡± I said, turning to face him once we were alone.


    ¡°Yeah, you made that perfectly clear a few months ago,¡± he replied, his tone devoid of emotion.


    As our intense gaze lingered, the host¡¯s voice broke the spell. The event wasmencing, and everyone was directed to their assigned seats.


    Naturally, our table was positioned front and center alongside other alphas.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite lovely, my dear,¡± an elderly woman addressed me. We shared the same table; she was the wife of one of the alphas.


    ¡°Thank you, My Lady, you are equally elegant,¡± I responded with shyness. Herughter was warm and inviting.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Are you Alpha Red¡¯s wife?¡± she inquired. My instinct urged me to deny it, but I couldn¡¯t reveal the truth to this graciousdy, given that Lucian and I were pretending to be a couple for the asion.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the words felt awkward, leaving my lips. I nced at Lucian, who was attentively listening to the speaker.


    ¡°I remember when I was your age, the first few years of marriage were the sweetest. Treasure it well, dear,¡± she shared her wisdom. Though I wanted to add that my so-called fake husband had locked me up, I remained silent, feeling guilty for listening to her while knowing the truth.


    She offered me plenty of advice on marriage and youth, and despite the awkwardness, I tried to listen. Her guidance seemed genuinely helpful, but I feared I wouldn¡¯t be able to put it to use. I felt like a fake, as she wholeheartedly believed Lucian¡¯s lies.


    The atmosphere grew more rxed once the meal was served, and guests started dancing.


    As I observed the couples affectionately dancing together, I couldn¡¯t help but appreciate the sight of these powerful andmanding alphas showing their tender side to their partners. They appeared adorable, and unbeknownst to me, a smile had formed on my face.


    Unexpectedly, Lucian extended his hand toward me without a word. My eyes shifted from his hand to his face, finding his gaze familiar. It reminded me of a time before. Without overthinking, I epted his gesture.


    The music turned slow and romantic, and we moved gracefully to the rhythm. His hand rested on my waist while the other held mine. Our eyes locked, and it felt as if he were memorising every detail of my face-every curve, every line, every mole.


    And I found myself doing the same, captivated by his timeless handsomeness, simr to a deity descended from Mount Olympus as if Zeus himself had carved him. However, there was a hint of gloom, aura of danger, resentment, and anger in his eyes. That was what he appeared to be in my eyes, and I yearned to uncover the reasons behind this change.


    He spun me around gracefully, and I twirled with a smile. I closed my eyes, and it was another arm that received me.

 Chapter 77: Hello, Cercei

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Hello, Cercei,¡± Monsieur¡¯s smooth yet chilling voice sent shivers down my spine. His appearance had not changed since the day I left his mansion.


    ¡°Monsieur,¡± I managed to utter, a mixture of surprise and fear leaving me momentarily speechless. My mind turned nk, beads of cold sweat forming on my forehead.


    He offered a smile, his hand finding its ce on my waist as we danced. Meanwhile, I remained rooted to the spot, struggling to process everything.


    ¡°Rx, Cers. I remember you as a skilled dancer,¡± he spoke casually, as if oblivious to the evil deeds he hadmitted. As if he hadn¡¯t abused my mother, dug out my father¡¯s heart as he mercilessly killed him.


    Suddenly, I felt a firm tug pulling me away from his sp. Lucian stood protectively in front of me, and like a frightened puppy wanting protection, I hastily hid behind him.


    ¡°A pleasure to meet you, My Lord,¡± Monsieur said with a hint of mockery.


    ¡°I see you have brought my servant along,¡± Monsieur attempted to look at me, but Lucian shielded me from his gaze.


    ¡°And your lovely maid,¡± Lucian responded with a simr mocking tone. Monsieur¡¯s face turned slightly gloomy, but he quickly forced a smile.


    ¡°I was unaware you had a fondness for some of my belongings, My Lord. I would have dly offered them to you. No need to steal them away,¡± he remarked while Lucian¡¯s grip on my hand tightened.


    ¡°I merely wanted to return the favor after you robbed my mother¡¯s life,¡± Lucian replied, his fists clenched. I stared at his back in wide-eyed astonishment, my heart pounding.


    ¡°It was never-¡±


    ¡°I will destroy your life far more than you ever shattered mine. Your empire will crumble, and your legacy will forever be buried. I will personally inflict on you a torment that is so unbearable and painful that you¡¯ll beg your death,¡± Lucian interjected, his voice dripping with fury that left me with goosebumps. Monsieur clenched his jaw, the tension in the air was dreadful.


    He drew me away from the bustling dance floor and led me through the quiet garden. Once there, he released my hand and ran his fingers through his hair, a sign of madness.


    ¡°What happened to your Mother?¡± I asked quietly, cautiously. His bloodshot eyes met mine, and the pain in them was evident.


    ¡°She¡¯s gone,¡± he replied briefly.


    ¡°How did it happen?¡±


    ¡°And now you care?¡± His retort dripped with sarcasm.


    ¡°You left without a word. You fucking left me alone without even giving me a valid reason! I felt like a fool!¡± He erupted, pacing back and forth. Thankfully, there was no one else around to witness our emotional exchange.


    ¡°I had no choice-¡±


    ¡°I call it bullshit, Cercei,¡± he ruthlessly cut me off. My eyes reddened, teardrops forming, but I fought to appear strong, hoping he would understand.


    ¡°I did it for your sake!¡± I shouted back at him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to get hurt. This is not your battle. Monsieur is a monster; he¡¯ll stop at nothing to take back my mother and imprison us. I can¡¯t let you be coteral damage!¡± I raised my voice, hoping he would hear me between our shouting.


    ¡°Coteral damage?¡± He scoffed.


    ¡°He murdered my mother,¡± his words caught my breath, leaving me frozen in shock. I attempted to speak, but words failed me. I was utterly stunned.


    ¡°He killed her in an ambush,¡± he whispered, a tear tracing its path down his cheek.


    ¡°Does that sound like coteral damage to you?¡± He turned to face me, eyes reddened with pain and guilt, seething with a thirst for revenge and justice.


    I could only look at him with pity.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me with pity,¡± he averted his eyes.


    ¡°Lucian-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your fucking pity, Cercei. I will make him suffer in many ways beyond his imagination. I¡¯ll have my revenge, and he will pay it with his own blood,¡± he clenched his jaw.


    Then, he walked away, returning to the ball as though nothing had happened. I struggled to process his revtion. Monsieur had killed his mother in an ambush?


    Was it because of me? A lump formed in my throat at the thought. Was it because he tried to protect us on Dinan? I had sensed that this might happen. Monsieur wouldn¡¯t let him get away after he intervened.


    If only I had pushed him away the day he walked into that caf¨¦. This is all my fault. He lost his mother because of me.


    I went back to the grand hall and spotted him engaged in conversation with a woman. My eyes widened in surprise after recognizing her. It was Miss Shire, Vienna¡¯s cousin. She was the one who had stood up for me when I faced humiliation at the ball in the mansion. I was about to approach them when I hesitated. She had a very womanly smile, yfully hitting Lucian¡¯s chest and tucking her hair. I knew that look all too well; I had witnessed many women act simrly in front of Lucian at the caf¨¦. It was obvious that she was flirting with him.


    My chest ached as I watched them together. She was the kind of woman he deserved, elegant and sophisticated, wealthy and of noble kin, kind andpassionate.


    ¡°Jealousy doesn¡¯t suit you, you know,¡± a voice behind me sounded, and I turned around in surprise.


    ¡°Oh my god, Vincent?¡± I eximed, delighted to see him. Heughed at my reaction, holding a champagne ss.


    ¡°Why are you so surprised?¡± he asked, amusement apparent in his eyes. I wanted to hug him, but I refrained from drawing any more attention. A low-blood whore like me embracing another powerful, young bachelor Alpha like Vincent would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°I always forget you¡¯re an Alpha; you don¡¯t really exude the typical vibes,¡± I joked, clicking my tongue yfully.


    ¡°Out of all the things you could inherit, it just had to be your Aunt¡¯s tongue?¡± he quipped, and we shared augh.


    ¡°I know you miss me, husband,¡± I teased, emphasising thest word. He gave me a disgusted look, and I rolled my eyes yfully.


    ¡°You say that word so often; some might think you¡¯re looking forward to it,¡± he pretended to be shocked, dramatically cing a hand on his chest.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± I retorted, rolling my eyes at him again.


    ¡°What a seriousck of respect from Lady Red,¡± he remarked with a wink. Oh, great, so Lucian¡¯s lie about our rtionship had reached him too. Did everyone at this ball really believe that we were involved romantically?


    Changing the topic, I asked, ¡°Who¡¯s your date?¡± as I didn¡¯t see anyone beside him.


    ¡°I¡¯m a strong, independent man,¡± he simply replied, taking a sip of his champagne.


    ¡°Ohh, Mr. Heartbreaker doesn¡¯t have a date. Did the ocean run out of water?¡± I teased.


    We both chuckled when I felt a familiar presence behind me. Amanding arm encircled my waist, and Vincent¡¯s stare shifted from me to the neer. Lucian pulled me closer, and the air around him exuded authority. Vincent slightly bowed to him while grinning ear to ear.


    ¡°My Lord Red,¡± Vincent greeted him cheerfully. I shot him a sharp look, silently telling him that now was not the time for stunts.


    ¡°Lord Hamilton,¡± Lucian¡¯s response didn¡¯t sound much like a greeting; it was more of a warning. Vincent¡¯s grin, however, remained unshaken, as if everything was an amusing game to him.

 Chapter 78: She Had Returned

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    She returned to me, or perhaps because of her mother. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t overly concerned about the reason as long as she had returned. When my men informed me that she had arrived at the airport, a sense of relief flooded my heart, dispelling the desperation that had gripped me for the past few months.


    ¡°See? I told you she¡¯de back to look for her mother,¡± Frank dered proudly. I shot him a stern look; I didn¡¯t need him unting his foresight.


    ¡°Are you annoyed because I was right or because I was utterly right all this time?¡± He teased, provoking me further. I red at him, trying to dismiss the throbbing headache that was creeping in.


    ¡°Get out of here,¡± I growled, massaging my temples in an attempt to ease the pain. Frank couldn¡¯t help but smile as he exited my office.


    But was that the only reason for her return, to take back her mother? If that¡¯s the case, she won¡¯t seed.


    She emerged from the car with her hands cuffed, blindfolded, and her mouth taped shut.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Frank whispered beside me, and I watched her closely.


    ¡°What? Are you all gay? Treating an alone woman that way? Set her free!¡± Frank¡¯s voice resonated,manding my men.


    Our eyes locked the moment the cloth was removed from her face.


    She looked exactly the same, yet something was different about her. Her eyes retained their innocence, and there was a glint of mischief in them.


    I was taken aback, fearful that my longing for her would be obvious in my stare. So, I turned away and locked her up.


    An asshole move, I know.


    ¡°She seemed rather ufortable in your ss cage, you know,¡± Frank stated, standing before me.


    ¡°I had another room prepared for her,¡± I replied calmly, sipping my drink.


    ¡°Another cage,¡± hemented.


    ¡°She¡¯s a prisoner, so naturally,¡± I retorted.


    ¡°Go fool a turtle or something,¡± he shot back. I looked at him sharply, wondering where he found the audacity.


    ¡°Why are you here? Shouldn¡¯t you be with your own prisoner?¡± I raised an eyebrow, catching him off guard. I grinned; finally, I had the upper hand. He had been tormenting me with his teasing remarks ever since Cercei arrived.


    ¡°What was her name again? Oh, Maria,¡± I pretended to forget. He looked at me tly.


    ¡°I think I saw her talking to Evans this morning,¡± I added with a mischievous grin.


    Of course, I was well aware of the secret affair between Maria and him, Cercei¡¯s best friend, which unfolded on the same night Madam Cec¨¨ was taken. Once I obtained the information I aimed for, I granted them their freedom, along with a promise of protection against Remus. Madam Cec¨¨ decided to retire, but Maria chose to stay. She was drawn to Cercei¡¯s mother and longed to be reunited with Cercei again.


    Maria was mysterious; there was something about her that I couldn¡¯t define right now.


    ****


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you by my side in rags,¡± I regretted my words when they escaped my lips. Her eyes filled with pain, and I wanted to kneel and beg for forgiveness. Unable to bear the sight of her pain, I hastily left.


    I am taking her to the ball to show Remus that I had Cercei and her Mom in my hands, but deep down, I also wanted her as my date to disy her to the world.


    Seeing her in that dress nearly took my breath away. Yet, I began to doubt whether bringing her along was a wise decision. I felt an overwhelming urge to fend her from most men¡¯s attention.


    She was stunningly beautiful, deserving of every good thing in this world.


    In our hateful confrontation at the vast garden, Ished out at her, telling all the pain that I had nurtured over the past few months.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°He killed my mother,¡± I confessed, my voice trembling.


    ¡°He orchestrated an ambush that took her life,¡± I rified, a tear I struggled to contain finally escaping.


    ¡°Tell me, does that sound like mere coteral damage to you?¡± I questioned her shocked face, my tone bing more intense. My mother¡¯s death was no mere ident or unfortunate circumstance. It was a deliberate act. Remus had nned the ambush, and he knew exactly what he was doing. It was nothing short of a premeditated attack, and it filled me with rage.


    And yet, why was Cercei trying to protect me despite what had urred? It should have been the other way around. It was my responsibility to protect her from any harm. Did she do it for my sake? How could it be for my own good when her disappearance had plunged me into an abyss of misery? I had endured a living hell when she left.


    Losing both my mother and her at the same time had shattered my heart, and now she was telling me that she didn¡¯t want me to be coteral damage.


    I called it a big bullshit!


    I must say, I strongly disagree with her perspective. This conflict has been ours long before my mother became involved. It is inherently mine because she is mine. She is my mate, regardless of how adamantly she denies it to herself. There¡¯s a connection between us that goes beyond words; she recognizes my scent, and I can feel a sense of familiarity and belonging whenever we touch. Every inch of our bodies fits together like a perfectly solved puzzle. We are meant for each other.


    The revtion of my mother¡¯s death shocked her, and I despised the pity in her eyes. I don¡¯t want her sympathy, not even from her. Let her sympathise with Remus for all the punishment I¡¯m going to exact on him, but not with me.


    I don¡¯t want her to stay beside me out of guilt or pity. I want her to remain because she genuinely wants to be with me. I want her by my side always and forever.


    ****


    ¡°You¡¯re quite amusing,¡± Shire Lowellughed and yfully hit me. We¡¯ve encountered each other several times, typically at events like this. She also has connections to Remus, and I¡¯m working on earning her trust; perhaps I could use her against him. Yes, I admit it¡¯s somewhat devious, but that¡¯s part of who I am.


    ¡°I¡¯m d that I amused you, mydy,¡± I replied with a slight smile. Lowell appearedposed and collected; breaking through her defences might take some time. Then again, I could sense a glimmer of interesting from her toward me, which might prove advantageous.


    But my attention was swiftly drawn away when I noticed Cercei engaged in conversation with another alpha.


    ¡°Please excuse me,¡± I politely excused myself and went to Cercei. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, asserting my im over her.


    ¡°Greetings, Alpha Lucian,¡± Vincent Hamilton, Alpha of the Malroux pack, extended his hand. Of course, I knew his status; every alpha must be familiar with other packs and their histories.


    ¡°ALPHA HAMILTON, my pleasure to see you tonight,¡± I replied with emphasis, raising an eyebrow.


    He regarded me with a smug expression, and I scrutinised him intently.


    ¡°I was merely saying hello to my waitress,¡± he smiled, but my temper red, feeling insulted and triggered.


    ¡°Your waitress?!!¡± I emphasised hisst words.


    ¡°I meant the waitress who served me in Dinan,¡± he tried to sound respectful, but if he truly were, he wouldn¡¯t dare show his face before me or engage in conversation with my woman.


    A terrible disy of disrespect from an Alpha.

 Chapter 79: Maria鈥檚 True Identity

    Maria¡¯s POV


    ¡°It has been almost six years, Maria; doe back, I beg you,¡± my younger brother pleaded.


    ¡°You know I can¡¯t, Diego,¡± I responded, sighing.


    ¡°Pap¨¤ has already forgiven you, even if he doesn¡¯t express it. He would be delighted to see you again,¡± I could sense the desperation in his voice, even through the phone.


    I scoffed. ¡°Forgiveness isn¡¯t his forte, you know that,¡± I reminded him.


    My father possessed various traits, unfortunately, mercy was not among them. I had wronged him gravely, not only turning my back on them but also on my birthright, which included the leadership of our entire pack. Perhaps I had been selfish in choosing myself.


    ¡°He loves you, you know that,¡± my younger brother insisted. Maybe he did, I thought, but when I began to assert myself and express my thoughts, his fatherly love seemed to evaporate.


    ¡°Diego, I will always be with you even if I¡¯m not physically present. However, I can¡¯t return home,¡± I said sadly. Not now. I am not prepared to face them yet, for I am consumed with shame.


    ¡°I beg you,¡± a tear fell when my brother uttered those words. It pained me to hear him like this. I knew I was being unfair, burdening him, and leaving him alone with responsibilities that were meant to be mine. I had abandoned him shortly after our mother¡¯s death.


    ¡°I¡¯m so proud of the man you have be, Diego, even though I am not physically with you or Pap¨¤,¡± I sobbed.


    I fled when I was just fifteen. My father was the Alpha of one of the most prominent packs in Eastern Find. As the eldest daughter, I was destined to inherit the throne, the pack, and his legacy, even after my brother was born. The crown still passed to me.


    Yet, I was uncertain of my desires and who I wanted to be in this life. I knew deep down that leadership was not my calling. Icked the qualities of a good leader.


    I acknowledge that I am a coward for running away. But it was for the better. I escaped the pce and all my guards that night, although it was no easy feat. I was young and naive, raised inside the castle, knowing nothing of the outside world.


    Everyone outside was harsh and unforgiving, but I adapted. I worked as a servant, serving under various masters before I found myself at the MoonStone mansion.


    I spent a great deal of time uncovering the roots of my mother¡¯s heritage. She was foreign, not a native Finn and her ent suggested British origins. It led me to discover that she hailed from the West, and her original pack was none other than the MoonStone pack. Thus, I decided on a journey to reach this ce, seeking a connection with my mother¡¯s legacy.


    However, fate had a cruel twist in store for me. The pack I had hoped would be my new family proved to be far from weing or kind. Instead of being embraced, I was thrust into the role of a servant, subject to the torment and abuse of the Alpha¡¯s daughter, a despicable woman named Vienna.


    Despite the hardships, I refused toin or resist. Outside my father¡¯s cage, I learned invaluable lessons. I emerged from my sheltered life, no longer shielded from the harsh realities of the world. I discovered how to stand on my own, to hide my own identity, and to think independently.


    ¡°I will return, don¡¯t worry,¡± I said, swallowing the lump in my throat as I made that promise.


    ¡°I wille back, not now, but soon. Prepare a cup of tea, will you,¡± I added,ughing through my tears as I recalled the fond memories of our tea parties from our youth.


    Being only three years older than my brother, we had always been close. After our mother¡¯s tragic ident, my father¡¯s protectiveness and paranoia escted. The most agonising aspect of leaving was not disappointing my father or the people of my pack but the realisation that my disappearance left my brother alone.


    Diego had always been theposed one, the intelligent decision-maker, the heir our father deserved, and the leader our packs should admire. In contrast, I was impulsive, opinionated, and stubborn. Yet, despite my disappearance, Diego did not harbour hatred towards me. Instead, he checked up on me regrly, expressing concern for my safety and well-being and pleading for my return. I couldn¡¯t understand what I had done to deserve such kindness from him.


    While my father dispatched men across the globe in search of me, it was Diego who made a secret move to find me and obtain my contact information. Only two years had passed since we resumedmunication, limited to phone calls.


    In this new life I had crafted, no one, not even my closest friend Cercei, knew my true identity. I cherished Cercei and her mother, trusting them with my life, yet revealing the truth to anyone would mean risking my hard-won freedom.


    I have endured true hell to secure this hard-won freedom. I¡¯ve endured suffering and toiled relentlessly, and I can¡¯t afford to lose it now. If my father were to discover my whereabouts, he would surely force me back home against my will.


    I admit the apparent foolishness of my decision to choose to be a servant over the life of a princess, subjecting myself to mistreatment in a mansion that does not belong to us rather than enjoying theforts of our own castle. But I have my reasons. I can¡¯t bear the weight of rulership that destiny has given me. The crushing pressure and overwhelming responsibility are too much to bear. I have chosen this path of suffering, preferring to endure it alone, with only myself to bear the burden. I have epted this life, and I am willing to stay in this personal hell rather than drag others into my plight.


    ¡°I will wait for you, eldest sister,¡± he whispered, and those words pierced my heart, igniting an unstoppable flow of tears.


    I ended the call with a heavy heart and gazed at Diego¡¯s unregistered number on my phone.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    I promise you, Diego, I will return soon. I will make amends for all the years I have been absent from your side. I will share with you all that I have learned, and I will show you the woman I have be and how far I have grown in my struggles. We will be together again, but that day is not near yet.


    For now, I must remain by Cercei¡¯s side. She needs me now more than ever, as she is entangled in a war, not just with Monsieur but also against herself.


    When the time is right, and everything aligns here, I will return, even if my father vehemently pushes me away. I will embrace the responsibility I once rejected, for it is an integral part of who I am.


    And so, this is the real truth about me. I am determined to continue on this path until the momentes when I can return, and perhaps, by then, the pieces of my destiny will finally fall into ce.

 Chapter 80: Get Your Sister鈥檚 Trust

    Remus¡¯ POV


    ¡°You fucking fool!¡± I eximed as I firmly grasped Russo¡¯s cor, my anger seething.


    ¡°He¡¯s got both of them, damn it!¡± I shouted, delivering a forceful punch.


    ¡°Monsieur¡­¡± His words were silenced as I tightened my grip around his neck, extracting his heart straight from his chest. The other guards present watched with anxiety, struggling to avert their eyes.


    With blood covering his lifeless body, Russo dropped to the cold ground. I chose to end his life instead of letting him live, but he had only brought me disappointment.


    ¡°This is the price of ipetence!¡± I disyed Russo¡¯s still-beating heart to the onlooking guards, tightly clutching it in my hand. Blood trickled down my arms, staining the elegant tuxedo I wore at the ball.


    That rascal, Lucian, had the audacity to showcase my daughter at the ball, dressing her up and dancing with her on the floor. It was pathetic!


    I knew full well what he was trying to do, and his scheming wouldn¡¯t seed. He may have thought he had the upper hand by kidnapping two of my servants and having my daughter and Emilia in his clutches, but he had certainly caught my attention now.


    ¡°Summon Vienna,¡± Imanded one of my men, who promptly nodded and departed. With a disdainful gesture, I cast Russo¡¯s heart to the floor and crushed it underfoot. The sickening sound it produced satisfied me more than his pitiful service ever did.


    ¡°You called for me¡­¡± Vienna¡¯s voice faltered as she caught sight of Russo¡¯s lifeless body lying on the floor. All the colour drained from her face, and she gazed at me with wide, sickly eyes.


    Oh, daughter, you must be ustomed to such sights by now! I thought silently.


    ¡°D-dad!¡± She stammered. I approached her slowly and gently caressed her cheeks.


    ¡°I want you to go to your sister,¡± I stated. Her frightened expression turned into one of confusion. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes filled with questions.


    ¡°My what?¡±


    ¡°Your sister,¡± I said calmly. She stared at me, speechless.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± I revealed,posedly returning to my table. Her bbering came to a halt, and for the first time, I noticed she had fallen silent.


    Vienna stood there motionless, unable to understand the situation unfolding before her.


    ¡°Go to your sister, earn her trust, ande back here together,¡± I repeated, my voice firm and unwavering.


    The time hade for both Vienna and Cercei to learn the truth. Lucian, that scheming dog, already knew about Cercei¡¯s birth secret, which was why he had been taunting me with her earlier. If he wanted to y games, then I was more than willing to participate.


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± Vienna¡¯s words came out as more of a desperate plea for this to be some cruel joke. Tears glistened in her eyes, and her voice trembled with pain and betrayal. She believed that I had deceived her, but I remained expressionless as I poured bourbon into a ss. With a single nce, I dismissed my men, leaving just Vienna and me alone in my office, along with Russo¡¯s lifeless body.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act surprised, Vienna,¡± I said, my tone stern. Deep down, she knew the truth. The striking physical resemnce between her and Cercei was hard to ignore, so much so that some mistook them for twins. It was this undeniable simrity that fueled Vienna¡¯s animosity towards Cercei. Her rigid efforts to make Cercei¡¯s life miserable weren¡¯t merely due to her being spoiled, but she was in denial of the truth.


    I had observed them for years, hoping they would outgrow their animosity. After all, they were sisters, and it was high time they acknowledged it.


    ¡°So it¡¯s true?¡± Vienna¡¯s tearful question cut through the tense atmosphere.


    ¡°What are you crying for?¡± I responded coldly, my expression remaining indifferent.


    ¡°You abused Emilia?¡± She struggled to utter the words, her emotions in turmoil.


    I maintained my stoic demeanour, offering no response to her usation.


    ¡°I knew you weren¡¯t a good person, Dad, but I never imagined you could be this evil,¡± she sobbed, her anger and pain were apparent.


    ¡°How could you do this to Mom?¡± she added in a harsh tone, referring to a woman she had never even met. She seemed to disregard the fact that I had raised and provided for her throughout her life.


    ¡°Stop this nonsense and do as you¡¯re told Vienna!¡± I growled, meeting her gaze sharply.


    ¡°Nonsense?¡± Her voice carried a sneer of mockery.


    ¡°Is this nonsense to you?!¡± She cried out, her voice choked with sobs.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a rapist!¡± she shouted, and without hesitation, I pped her. The force of the blow sent her sprawling to the floor.


    Struggling, she settled into a seated position on the cold floor, tears streaming down her face as she avoided my gaze. Taking a deep breath, I knelt down, gently guiding her chin to meet my eyes. Though her eyes were sharp and defiant, I could see the pain she tried to conceal.


    ¡°Oh, daughter,¡± I spoke softly, my tone attempting to soothe.


    ¡°You¡¯re just like your mother,¡± I said with a cold re as I tightly held her face.


    ¡°I raised you and provided for your every need. Utter that word to me again, and I will rip your heart from your chest,¡± I hissed through clenched teeth. Her eyes trembled in fear though there was nothing to fear.


    ¡°Just do as I tell you, alright?¡± I asked, softening my tone. Slowly, she nodded, and I rewarded her with a smile.


    ¡°Good girl,¡± I murmured, nting a kiss on her forehead.


    Yes, Lucian had been ying this game long enough, and it was time for me to seize control. I had two daughters and, with them, two chances to secure victory. If he already had one of them in his grasp, then I would send Vienna to disrupt his ns.


    She would return, broken and betrayed, just as she was now. Lucian might suspect a ruse, but Cercei¡¯s heart would not deceive me. She would wee the repentant Vienna, who had once tormented her.


    Once Vienna earned her trust, my true game would begin.


    ¡°Shh,¡± I whispered, soothing her tears.


    You know perfectly well who I am, Vienna, for we are cut from the same cloth. My blood courses through your veins and the thoughts in my mind are mirrored in yours. That¡¯s why I love you, even though I never loved your mother; you remind me of myself. But in the end, it won¡¯t be you sitting on my throne. It will be Cercei, my firstborn, the child of the woman I adore. She possesses a heart none of us can match, and she holds the North at her feet.


    Through her, my legacy will endure, and my empire will thrive. We only need to show her where she truly belongs, for she has been betting on the wrong side.


    She has spent her life adoring and loving a false father when it should have been me. But the secret was too precious to be revealed until the right moment arrived. And that moment is now.


    You¡¯re mine, Cercei, you and your mother.

 Chapter 81: Let Me See My Sister

    Vienna¡¯s POV


    Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be forced to confront the monstrous truth about my own father? The man I once wanted to believe was loving just turned out to be a far darker figure than I had ever imagined.


    I had witnessed it, the way he looked at his maid, the unsettling obsession that tainted his treatment of her. It disgusted me to no end. When Sir Henr¨¬ met his end that night, I overheard snippets of Emilia¡¯s words, but I knew deep down what she had implied. I simplycked the courage to face the reality.


    For too long, I had been in denial about my father¡¯s crimes, clinging to the illusion of his righteousness. He was right; I had been living in a state of willful ignorance, turning a blind eye to his violent and abusive nature.


    My resentment towards Cercei was no secret; I harboured anger towards her for everything. Yet, what I despised most was her appearance, the fact that we shared simr features. It was a constant insult, her being a mere servant while I, the heir to vast wealth and a strong pack, bore the burden of our resemnce.


    As I grew older, I couldn¡¯t ignore the ring truth any longer, the reason for our simrities extended beyond mere coincidence. It became painfully evident that my father held a disgusting interest in his maid, and I chose to overlook it, resorting to denial instead.


    And now, he disclosed the shocking truth in a ruthless way that shattered any hope I had in him. I had no option but toply with his demands and travel to the North.


    I would never have set foot in this ce if it were up to me. The pain of knowing Lucian had chosen Cercei over me still seared inside my thoughts, and now my father expected me to form a bond with my sister.


    Is this some kind of hell, my inner self screaming in anguish as reality proves far worse than any of my fears?


    Of course, upon arriving at the North, I found myself surrounded by men guarding every corner. I was taken immediately.


    The n was set in motion, and we arrived at a mansion nestled in a breathtaking garden that resembled a winter wondend. The snow-capped trees exuded a Christmas-like aura, which oddly contrasted with the tension in the air.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Lucian¡¯s voice cut through the silence, his gaze piercing and stern. He was like a perfectly sculpted statue, seemingly cid by my presence.


    ¡°Ie in peace,¡± I replied, raising my hands in a feeble attempt to appear vulnerable. As expected, he saw through my act, showing no emotion on his face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fuck with me, Vienna,¡± he reprimanded firmly.


    ¡°I want to see my sister,¡± I stated directly, scoffing when I didn¡¯t witness a flicker of surprise on his face.


    ¡°You knew, right?¡± I questioned, though it wasn¡¯t seeking an answer but rather a confirmation. He remained silent, and that silence spoke the truth. It seemed everyone could sense the truth at a mere nce, or perhaps the truth was revealed when he kidnapped two of our servants.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± He repeated his question more forcefully, his authority demanding a straightforward response. My throat ran dry, and I found myself doubting my once-honed skills in lying and acting.


    Why is this so difficult? I¡¯m good at this, yet I didn¡¯t even know how to answer his question. My father had forced me into this, and that thought echoed in my mind, yet my lips remained sealed.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°I want to see my sister,¡± I reiterated, emphasising my words with intensity.


    The painful truth finally struck me that the woman I hated was actually my sister. The realisation settled in, and the yearning I had always harboured for a sibling emerged. I grew up alone, and perhaps that was the reason behind my constant craving for attention.


    I can¡¯t say I¡¯m thrilled about it; acknowledging her as my sister doesn¡¯t change the way I feel about her.


    She stole my fianc¨¦, shattered my engagement, and disrupted every damn ball held in our mansion. She always sought to be the center of attention, trying too hard to seize the spotlight.


    She stood before me, seemingly weak and innocent, pretending to be all good and pure, trying to be the chosen one. I despised her now more than ever as if my hatred for her hadn¡¯t been intense enough before.


    My entire life had been apetition with her, and now she had been granted the damn chance to fight back. Initially, it had merely been about our simr looks, but now I wondered, what more could she strip away from me?


    She had already taken the man I liked and stolen my father¡¯s attention. What else did she desire? My throne? My birthright? Thepany and the packs?


    Surely she wasn¡¯t foolish enough to want that, but if she did, I would give her a battle she would never forget. She may be my father¡¯s daughter, but she was nothing more than a half-blood with no im to the Crescent name. She would never be one of us.


    Her very existence seemed dedicated to vexing me. I loathed her, her mother, and my father. No one deserves my trust, not even the person who raised me.


    ¡°I want to know her further,¡± I expressed, the words almost causing me to puke. I knew her all too well already-weak, naive, and foolish, that¡¯s what she was.


    Too feeble for the crown, too fragile for the world, too kind-hearted to rule, too innocent to lead. She had nothingpared to me. I had attended an elite school, trained by the finest teachers, and umted invaluable experience. I was equipped with all the knowledge and skills required to be a true Alpha. I was destined to triumph, while she was destined to serve me.


    Once this charade was over and my father had done his petty revenge, she and her mother would be out of the picture. It would be just me and my father, as it had always been.


    And as for you, my dear sister, I will have my revenge on you. You have inflicted countless wrongs on me, taking everything away, and I¡¯m delighted to return the favour.


    I will make you trust me, and when the moment is right, I will destroy you mercilessly, slowly, and intimately until you are left with nothing.


    ¡°I beg you, please let me see her,¡± I pleaded again, lowering myself to my knees and letting tears cascade down my face. I wore a smile on my lips as my tears hit the floor. I hadn¡¯t lost my skills, I knew exactly how to act pitifully to gain people¡¯s trust.

 Chapter 82: We Met Again, Best Friend

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    After the ball, Lucian¡¯s mood turned sour. He became silent and visibly angry, and I decided not to engage with him, giving him space.


    What is his problem? After confessing to being hurt when I walked away, he left me in the garden. Then I witnessed him talking to another woman, only for him to suddenly act jealous and territorial once he saw me chatting with Vincent.


    The ride back to his mansion was marked by silence, and I could feel Frank¡¯s eyes on us through the rearview mirror. Lucian and I sat on opposite sides of the backseat, both lost in our thoughts.


    I don¡¯t understand him. What¡¯s his issue? I had assumed that the only purpose of bringing me to the ball was to im dominance over Monsieur. Am I overthinking things? Maybe it doesn¡¯t mean anything at all.


    I scoffed at my own thoughts. Why would it mean anything? He probably just didn¡¯t want a woman standing beside him wearing rag clothes and mingling with the other Alpha, afraid that I might embarrass him.


    Upon arriving at the mansion, I didn¡¯t wait for Frank to open the door for us. I hastily opened it myself and made my way inside. It turned out to be a wrong decision, as I realised I had no clue where my room was in this vast mansion. Ugh!


    ¡°Where¡¯s my room?¡± I inquired from the guard, trying to maintain myposure. He kindly directed me to my quarters, for which I was grateful.


    Once inside, I flung my purse on the bed and screamed in frustration, venting my anger.


    ¡°Fuck you, Lucian Red!¡± I cried out, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. He knew full well the effect he had on me; he had me wrapped around his finger.


    ¡°Leave me the fuck alone!¡± I shouted at whoever dared to knock on the door. Was it him sending a guard to bring me a meal?


    ¡°I said let¡­¡± My words trailed off as I froze. I stopped when I saw who had entered. It was her, and she was smiling at me, a smile I had missed dearly, mischievous and full of life.


    ¡°Maria!¡± I cried out as I recognized my best friend. I rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly, almost crushing her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t breathe,¡± she managed to say with augh, feeling a bit squished.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Oh, Maria,¡± I held her shoulders, still unable to believe she was really here. Was this reality, or was I dreaming?


    ¡°I missed you,¡± I sobbed, hugging her once more.


    ¡°I missed you too,¡± she replied, returning the embrace. It had only been a few months, but it felt like an eternity since west saw each other. I had never gotten the chance to say goodbye; I had left her behind, bearing the brunt of Vienna¡¯s anger.


    ¡°Forgive me, Maria,¡± I pleaded as we broke apart, looking into her eyes.


    ¡°Forgive me for leaving you; it must have been so difficult,¡± I continued, gripping her hand.


    ¡°Hush, stop crying now,¡± she said gently, guiding me to the bed, where we sat down.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, I know you would¡¯ve stayed if you had a choice. Vienna is a really vicious woman,¡± she added with a wry smile. Despite the tears, her sharp tongue and humour still managed to make meugh. She was as honest and full of life as ever. It was our first time being together outside the mansion, yet we were still prisoners.


    ¡°How did you end up here?¡± I asked, realising she must be a captive too. Why would they take her?


    ¡°I was taken with Madam Cece,¡± she stated matter-of-factly. My eyes widened in shock.


    ¡°Madam Cec¨¨ was taken?¡± I asked, unable to believe it.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know about it?¡± she furrowed her brows. I shook my head.


    ¡°Lucian¡¯s mother was killed in an ambush,¡± I revealed the only truth I had learned from Lucian.


    ¡°He sought revenge, so he took Madam Cece, who knows everything about Monsieur¡¯s secrets. I saw them the night they took her, so Frank took me as well,¡± she shrugged as if it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Frank had taken her too, was he involved in kidnappings now?


    ¡°Are you okay? Did they hurt you?¡± I asked, worried she might have been harmed since witnessing their kidnapping.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. In fact, they offered me my freedom,¡± she expressed with a carefree smile.


    ¡°Freedom? Did Lucian do that?¡± I asked, puzzled.


    ¡°Yes, he did,¡± she confirmed.


    ¡°Then why are you still here?¡± I questioned, confused by her presence in the mansion. She took hold of my hand quickly, an earnest look in her eyes.


    ¡°I wanted to see you again, and I can¡¯t bear to leave you alone, especially with that bitch Vienna and her daddy aftering your throat,¡± Maria stared into my eyes as she revealed her reason for staying.


    ¡°Maria, you don¡¯t have to do this,¡± tears streamed down my cheeks as I held her hands tightly.


    ¡°I want to be with you. I can¡¯t abandon my best friend,¡± she replied, pulling me into another warm embrace.


    In the midst of this dark and treacherous world, there remained a glimmer of light, people who loved and cared for me. Maria¡¯s persistent support meant the world to me, and I felt guilty for bringing her into possible danger, but I couldn¡¯t deny that I needed her now more than ever. A true friend by my side was a rare and precious gift.


    After that night, I came to a painful realisation. I still loved Lucian, and I doubted that feeling would ever fade away. Our paths had separated, and he endured torment and suffering during our time apart. His mother was murdered, his pack andpany were in turmoil, and I had left him when he needed me the most.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Mama?¡± I asked, my voice breaking with concern.


    ¡°She¡¯s safe,¡± Maria assured me gently.


    ¡°Can we see her?¡± I asked, a glimmer of hope rising in my heart, but it was soon extinguished as Maria looked at me with sadness.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± she replied quietly.


    ¡°Why?¡± I questioned, aware that as a prisoner, I had no right to make requests, but Lucian had sent Maria.


    ¡°She¡¯s not here,¡± Maria stated matter-of-factly.


    ¡°What?¡± Confusion clouded my face.


    ¡°Lucian sent her somewhere three days ago, but I don¡¯t know where exactly,¡± Maria said hesitantly.


    Sent somewhere?


    ¡°My mother is not his warrior!¡± I eximed, my anger starting to surface.


    ¡°Your mother chose to do it,¡± she responded.


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to her, and she told me it¡¯s time to make Monsieur pay for his debts,¡± Maria exined further.


    My mother had finally decided to cast her long-awaited revenge, and she had allied herself with Lucian. I trusted him despite his harsh words and actions. I knew he wouldn¡¯t risk my mother, but that didn¡¯t guarantee her safety.


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous; she can¡¯t risk her life like this,¡± I told Maria as if trying to convince myself too. She simply sighed.


    ¡°Cercei, her life has been at risk ever since she entered that mansion. She¡¯s doing this for you and for herself,¡± Maria tried to reason, but it only heightened my anxiety.


    I understood my mother¡¯s purpose. She yearned to end the running and hiding, the constant fear of returning to that mansion. This was her chance to heal from all the pain Monsieur had inflicted, the abuse, envement, and the murder of my father, her husband.


    But I couldn¡¯t bear to lose her, too; I simply couldn¡¯t.

 Chapter 83: Mission Accomplished

    Emilia¡¯s POV


    In solemn agreement, Lord Red and I forged an alliance, uniting an emotion of hatred and suffering to get revenge.


    I no longer seek refuge in hiding, perpetually fleeing behind thefort of dark shadows. The exact time to take action hase.


    ¡°Do you truly want to pursue this n?¡± Lucian inquired, to which I responded with a knowing smile.


    You have no clue, Lucian. This is a long-awaited revenge, I silently dered.


    ¡°This is dangerous,¡± he uttered from behind me as I busied myself with zipping my bag shut.


    ¡°My life was never safe, to begin with,¡± I retorted briefly.


    ¡°What about Cercei? How will she ept this?¡± He broached the subject with caution, fully aware that my daughter would likely disapprove if she were present.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°She will understand meter,¡± I strived to reassure him, just as I hoped Cercei would understand once she learned the reasons behind my decision.


    Rather than indulging in idleness and tormenting Lucian for yielding to my desires, I decided to help him in his scheme, for we both share the same cause. Presenting him with my n, he agreed instantly.


    Remus would never suspect it; he believes I am a captive here when all I¡¯ve done since my arrival is torment Lucian, albeit under my daughter¡¯s name.


    ¡°If anything happened to you, it would shatter her,¡± He now sounded genuinely concerned. I stared at him, aware of the immense risk, yetpelled to do this for Henr¨¬, Cercei, and myself.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be alright,¡± I tapped his shoulder, and he met my eyes, slowly nodding. A warm smile graced my lips.


    You are a man of virtue, Lucian, no matter the monster you deem yourself to be. You are simply a great Alpha and an Alpha mustmand respect. Your mother would have been proud of the man you have be.


    Once more, I tapped his shoulder in gratitude and acknowledgment.


    ¡°Whether sooner orter, Cercei will undoubtedlye here looking for me. Please keep her safe while I am away,¡± I instructed him as I gathered my belongings.


    ¡°Take care, Aunt Emilia,¡± Maria said, her tears flowing silently as she stood by the door. Once I approached her, she enfolded me in a tight hug, and I returned the embrace, gently tapping her back.


    ¡°Come back, okay?¡± she pleaded through her tears. I chuckled, my own eyes welling up, and nodded.


    ¡°I promise, my dear, I promise,¡± I assured her as we parted.


    The n is straightforward, to strike. Just as Remus¡¯s men had attacked and razed Lucian¡¯spany, we would do the same, with me at the helm.


    In my youth, I was one of Malroux¡¯s most skilled spies, trained as a warrior together with my sister. I had in numerous enemies and faced many evil beings. Then, I encountered Henr¨¬, and that changed everything. I abandoned my previous life to be with him, concealing my abilities from everyone in that mansion-my daughter and even my husband.


    I assumed the guise of weakness and vulnerability, knowing that disying strength would only invite challenges and breed chaos. I had already outgrown those rough times, so I chose silence, yearning to leave my violent past behind.


    However, fate had other ns. I was raped by their Alpha, that monstrous being. Even then, I refrained from fighting back, fear gripping me tightly. I dreaded him discovering my true origins, revealing the darkness of my past to Henr¨¬, and possibly pushing Henr¨¬ to abandon me. I feared the power difference, knowing that, despite my rigorous training, an Alpha¡¯s strength and power can only be matched by another Alpha. Engaging in battle would have paid little difference, only causing further devastation.


    But now, fear no longer restrains me. Life has stripped away my cowardice.


    I, apanied by half of Lucian¡¯s men, travelled West. Time was of the essence; the moment we set foot in the West, the attack had tomence immediately. We couldn¡¯t afford to allow them to anticipate our arrival and prepare, lest the element of surprise be lost.


    As we reached our destination, I transformed into my wolf form, dispatching every enemy wolf that crossed my path. One wolf fell to my jaws, and its life was extinguished as I severed its pulse. The sight of blood only ignited an intense fire inside my heart.


    Remus¡¯s forces were defeated, the building now encircled by our men. The majority of his guardsy lifeless.


    I let out a resounding howl, joined by the chorus of others. I had forgotten how refreshing it felt to kill, but in that moment, I felt revitalised.


    Suddenly, I was thrown off the wall as someoneunched an attack on me. I growled in response, finding myself encircled by three massive wolves, each pacing around me menacingly.


    Amidst the chaos of battle, the first wolf lunged at me with its fangs bared. Swiftly, I evaded, but itspanion attacked from behind with razor-sharp ws. Yet, I proved my skills by taking them down with calcted movement-fangs meeting fangs, paws shing with ws. Despite my skill, one managed to inflict a painful gash on my skin, but I retaliated instantly, ending its life by tearing into its neck. Two were down, and only one enemy remained standing. He hesitated, then fled in fear. Or so I thought. As I scanned the surroundings, all that remained were countless lifeless bodies and me, naked and drenched in blood while catching my breath.


    Returning to my human form, I walked past the fallen MoonStone guards. They fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. I picked up a phone from the floor and dialed their boss, Remus.


    ¡°Imbeciles! I¡¯ve been trying to reach you for minutes. Report on thepany now!¡± His voice,ced with desperation, echoed through the line as he answered.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too, Remus,¡± I taunted, enjoying his silence on the other end. I could imagine his shocked face right at this moment.


    ¡°Emilia,¡± he uttered my name slowly, realisation dawned on him.


    ¡°Surprise!¡± I greeted him cheerfully, though my eyes zed with anger, unrevealed to him at the other end.


    ¡°What have you done?¡± he demanded, seething.


    I nced around, smiling at the scene while he was on the verge of hatred.


    ¡°Can¡¯t exin over the phone. Come see for yourself,¡± I invited him cheerfully.


    ¡°But wait, you can¡¯t. This ce will probably be in ashes by then,¡± I added with a devilish smile, knowing he couldn¡¯t witness the destruction.


    ¡°You¡­¡± he trailed off, seething with rage.


    ¡°Mission report, this ce will soon burn down,¡± I dered, and right on cue, the first bomb detonated. Hundreds more followed suit, unleashing a symphony of destruction.


    ¡°Hear that, Monsieur? I will burn you next,¡± I snarled, filled with determination.


    I envisioned a horrifying end for him, vowing to nt a bomb on his very mouth, standing before him as his skin scattered into the air. I swore to make his death a brutality that even the devil himself would send me to hell after that.


    With a final act of defiance, I hung up the phone and turned my back on the crumbling building. The mes devoured itpletely, and the bombs sang a satisfying melody to my ears.


    Mission aplished.

 Chapter 84: Lacked Up

    Vienna¡¯s POV


    ¡°Is this room the best you could manage?¡± I said with evident disdain. My walk-in closet back home surpasses this space in size, the sheets are far from silk, the windows exude a rustic charm and goodness, and they are covered with those ghastly green wallpapers! I can¡¯t help but wonder, who lives here, Shrek?


    ¡°Hush yourself and step inside,¡± the guard barked, shoving me forward and locking the door with finality.


    How utterly despicable!


    Naturally, my measured n came to nothing. I had anticipated catching sight of Cercei the moment I crossed those gates, yet she was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was Lucian who ¡®graciously¡¯ weed me. All the effort I had poured into that performance was utterly in vain. He didn¡¯t buy into a word of it, not even flinching in the slightest.


    And now he has caged me to this wretched room. Well, I suppose this isn¡¯t a dungeon, right? I couldn¡¯t bear a day spent amongst other prisoners who undoubtedly had not heard of dental hygiene if this ce is among the dungeons.


    They stripped me of everything-my bag, phone, makeup, and skincare. There is no sign of a television or any other amenities. Just a bed, amp, and a most wretchedly rustic door and window.


    I fear I¡¯m losing my sanity. I can no longer contain it, so I bang on the door with all my strength.


    ¡°Lucian, let me out!¡± I shout at the top of my lungs.


    ¡°Allow me to see my sister!¡± I swear, if I utter that word once more, I may vomit. ¡®Sister,¡¯ my foot.


    ¡°When you were at my mansion, I didn¡¯t lock you away!¡± I scream in frustration. It was an entirely different scenario, but he was at least treated with a trifle of hospitality. The least he could do is return the favour.


    Amidst the fierce sh between my father and me, I wonder why I must be dragged into this dispute. Can¡¯t Lucian see that? I, too, was a victim in this situation! I never wanted any part in this tangled mess since it started.


    The door suddenly swung open, and I was roughly pushed to the floor. Damn it all!


    ¡°You¡­¡± My gaze narrowed as I recognized the person before me. Cercei¡¯s little friend, Maria, wasn¡¯t it? She held a tray of unappetizing food, porridge, and fruit. Ugh! I¡¯d rather starve to death than eat them.


    ¡°Could you please keep quiet?¡± she snapped harshly.


    I dusted myself off, raised an eyebrow, and crossed my arms defiantly.


    ¡°Even when you¡¯re free, you still y the servant rule?¡± I jeered at her.


    She shot me a look, ced the tray on the bedside table, and crossed her arms in return. The audacity! Just a few weeks ago, she was in my kitchen scrubbing floors.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a servant here,¡± she retorted. I scoffed, finding it hard to believe.


    ¡°I just thought I¡¯d check on how miserable you appear,¡± she smirked, but her smile quickly faded into annoyance.


    ¡°Have a splendid day,¡± she waved dismissively, about to leave when I halted her.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    She paused, and I bit my tongue. This is utterly humiliating.


    ¡°Could I please see my sister?¡± I mustered a pleading look, hoping it might sway her. She scoffed and raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Why does my once-charming face seem to fail metely?


    ¡°Do you genuinely think I¡¯ll fall for that?¡± she chuckled happily. I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°Fine!¡± I relented.


    ¡°I simply wish to get out of here and speak with her. My father just revealed the truth to me. I was overwhelmed and couldn¡¯t bear to stay in the mansion any longer. My feet led me to this ce,¡± I spoke as sincerely as I could.


    ¡°And you think it¡¯s wise toe here?¡± Maria snorted, her doubts lingering.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, alright? I felt betrayed and deceived by my father-well, I was. I just¡­ I just need to talk to her,¡± I pleaded, hoping she might believe me with just a little more effort.


    ¡°You could leave Vienna; no one would stop you. But you can¡¯t see Cercei anymore. You¡¯ve already caused enough damage to her,¡± she stated firmly before leaving. I watched the door shut before me.


    Leave? And return empty-handed. That¡¯s a clear failure. And to endure my father¡¯s constant scolding? No way!


    I¡¯m not leaving until I see her, no matter how dreadful this ce may be. How can I ever be a capable leader if I can¡¯t aplish a simple mission?


    ¡°Lucian!¡± I eximed as he entered the room.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally here,¡± I beamed, feeling a glimmer of hope now that he stood a few steps from me.


    ¡°Return to your mansion Vienna and go back to your father. I won¡¯t allow you toy a finger on Cercei,¡± he said firmly, hands in his pockets, a sombre expression on his face.


    ¡°Look, I only want to talk to her,¡± I pleaded.


    ¡°About what?¡± Lucian¡¯s voice grew more intense.


    ¡°Does she know?¡± I swiftly changed the subject, noticing a hint of anxiety in his eyes. I couldn¡¯t help butugh as I caught him off guard.


    ¡°She has no idea, does she?¡± He didn¡¯t respond to my question; instead, he simply stared at me.


    Ah, I remember a typical Cercei-sweet, innocent, naive, and foolish. I wonder how she¡¯ll react when she hears the truth.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see her reaction,¡± I teased him. His jaw clenched, and I found even greater amusement in cracking the code. So that¡¯s why he¡¯s so desperate to keep me away from her; even Maria did the same. It¡¯s been two days since I arrived, and I haven¡¯t caught a glimpse of Cercei¡¯s shadow.


    ¡°You¡¯re protecting her? How romantic,¡± I chuckled.


    I stepped closer, my fingers gently touching his chest as I sensually fixed his cor. Oh, Lucian, you¡¯re so breathtakingly handsome, perfectly crafted. But you¡¯re also cruel and merciless, and that¡¯s precisely why we make a perfect match. Your infatuation with her will wither, and eventually, you¡¯ll fall for me.


    I caressed his chin, but he turned his face away and pushed me back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve set your sights on the wrong woman, Lucian,¡± I winked.


    ¡°And who should it be? You?¡± He retorted in a condescending tone, eyeing me from head to toe.


    ¡°You don¡¯t even measure up to her toe level,¡± he snapped before leaving. His words stung, and tears threatened to escape my eyes.


    Just wait, Lucian, you¡¯ll see. I¡¯ll make you hate Cercei more than I loathe her.


    And as for you, my dear sister, I¡¯ll face you with the truth. I¡¯m certain you¡¯ll despise it even more than I do. The man who abused your mother and killed your father is your real father. Oh, what a horror it will be when she realises that her trust has been betrayed by the very people she trusted with.


    That sight will be priceless. I¡¯ll remain in this wretched ce for as long as necessary. I won¡¯t leave until she trusts me or until I¡¯ve ruined her life. That¡¯s how it will end. I won¡¯t return until my work here isplete. Don¡¯t worry, Daddy, I won¡¯t disappoint you.

 Chapter 85: Beginner鈥檚 Luck

    Maria¡¯s POV


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± I inquired Frank as I caught sight of him in the corridor. He appeared remarkably sporty, strikingly different from his usual attire of tuxedos and formal butler¡¯s wear.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern,¡± he retorted grumpily, though I couldn¡¯t help but smile. There¡¯s something oddly endearing about his grumpiness; it never fails to amuse me.


    ¡°May I apany you?¡± I asked, hopeful for his approval.


    ¡°No,¡± he brushed me off and continued walking.


    ¡°Oh,e on,¡± I pouted as a group of five men strolled past. They halted and saluted Frank, showing great respect. Frank merely nodded his head slightly in acknowledgment. He looked incredibly attractive in that white T-shirt, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of envy, wishing I were the one wrapping his sexy body.


    Goodness, what¡¯s gotten into me?


    ¡°Hello, Maria,¡± the men greeted me warmly.


    ¡°Hi, Ethan,¡± I waved at one of them, and to my surprise, Frank came to a stop. He shot the men with a pointed look, and they promptly dispersed. Now, he¡¯s ring at me.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I inquired, his gaze cutting sharply through me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you flirting with the men. They have work to do,¡± he snapped. Furrowing my brows, I tried to understand his point.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Enough with the flirting,¡± he rified sternly.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t flirting,¡± I retorted, following him as he walked away. I was merely exchanging greetings; it¡¯s basic courtesy. I find it rather surprising that a high-rank butler wouldn¡¯t know that.


    ¡°You were,¡± he insisted.


    ¡°I was just saying hello!¡± I shot back at him.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± he muttered and continued his stride. I couldn¡¯t help but grin as I followed. His steps were long, and I had almost run to keep up with his pace.


    ¡°Are you feeling jealous?¡± I teased, taunting him yfully.


    ¡°Stop indulging in your delusions,¡± he replied coldly, never breaking his stride. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. There¡¯s something about our banter that always manages to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Oh, Come on, you can admit it. I promise not to judge you,¡± I yfully teased, earning an eye-roll from him. What an attitude he has.


    ¡°That¡¯s so cheeky of you,¡± Imented, and he stopped in his tracks.


    ¡°Could you kindly leave me alone?¡± he snapped, clearly annoyed.


    ¡°Please, just let me join you. I¡¯m bored,¡± I appealed, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes.


    ¡°I promise I won¡¯t be a bother,¡± I added before he could even respond. He sighed. Oh, how easy you are to sway, Frank.


    ¡°You¡¯ll keep your mouth shut?¡± he asked, seeking some assurance. I nodded vigorously.


    ¡°And your legs,¡± I whispered cheekily. Suddenly, he turned to look at me, and I pretended to act innocent.


    I wasn¡¯t entirely sure where we were headed, but I changed into a sporty outfit to match his attire. I wanted to ask Frank about our destination, but he had made it very clear that he wanted me to keep quiet.


    We hopped into his car, and I observed him from head to toe.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked, likely irritated. Ah, finally, now I have permission to speak.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I blurted out, unable to contain my curiosity.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± was his cryptic reply. We ended up in a remote area, and the snow was quite thick. Fortunately, his raptor could handle the terrain.


    As we arrived, the gate opened, revealing a gathering of people, both men and women. It seemed to be some sort of training field. Some were engaged in shooting practice with guns, while others were practising martial arts. But my attention was fixated on the archery corner.


    ¡°You know how to use a bow and arrow?¡± Frank asked, noticing my fascination.


    ¡°A little,¡± I admitted, following him as he continued his business.


    So this is where Lucian¡¯s men train. It makes sense; this ce is well-hidden and located in a remote area, away from prying eyes and ears. There¡¯s an impressive array of equipment, including a soundproof room for gun training.


    I was taken aback when Frank handed me a bow and arrow.


    ¡°We¡¯re at war, and you need to learn how to protect yourself,¡± he said casually. I took a deep breath as I epted the weapon.


    ¡°Stand firm,¡± he instructed, guiding my posture. My heart pounded loudly as he touched my waist, and he cleared his throat as he realised the closeness of our bodies.


    ¡°Position yourself perpendicr to the target,¡± he instructed.


    ¡°Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart,¡± he demonstrated the stance.


    ¡°Use three fingers to grip the arrow like this,¡± he showed me his hand.


    ¡°And keep your eye on where you¡¯re aiming,¡± he directed his gaze toward the circr target metres away.


    ¡°Hold and release,¡± he let the arrow fly,nding it inside the red circle, close to the center but not hitting the bullseye.


    ¡°Now, your turn,¡± he gestured towards me.


    With practised ease, I drew an arrow from my quiver, and in a split second, my shot found its way straight into the heart of the target. I smiled, reassured that my archery skills were still intact.


    I nced at Frank standing beside me, looking rather astonished. Archery was my sport; I had received professional training from Olympic archers during my upbringing.


    ¡°I¡¯m a fast learner,¡± I casually remarked, pretending to take a sip of water, trying to y off the expert shot. Damn, what was I thinking?


    ¡°You¡¯re quite good,¡± heplimented, and I smiled awkwardly.


    ¡°Just beginner¡¯s luck,¡± I replied, trying to create an excuse. There was doubt lingering on his face as if he didn¡¯t entirely believe me, but eventually, he nodded.


    I couldn¡¯t afford to let him harbour suspicions. I was sure he would just dismiss it, right? After all, there was no usible exnation for my unexpectedly urate aim other than mere luck. To him, I was just a maid, nothing more, nothing less.


    After our archery session, we moved on to shooting. We entered one of the soundproof rooms with human-shaped targets lined up in front of us.


    ¡°Here,¡± he handed me a set of headphones.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± I declined.


    ¡°Are you sure? Guns can be too loud for first-timers,¡± he inquired. Well, it wasn¡¯t my first time, and I find earphones suffocating as if I¡¯m choking on them.


    He loaded the bullets and cocked the rifle, doing the same with his gun.


    ¡°Take aim and pull the trigger¡­¡± I swiftly and urately brought down each target with a single shot, moving swiftly without even blinking.


    A smile of contentment appeared on my face afterward.


    ¡°I have 20/20 vision,¡± I pointed to my eyes, and Frank looked at me with wide eyes. I averted my gaze, hoping he wouldn¡¯t give me that look. I got so carried away that I forgot to pretend I didn¡¯t know what I was doing.


    I couldn¡¯t help it; it had been years since I had handled a weapon or trained. My father always praised me as a skilled shooter, even from a young age. It seems some things never change.

 Chapter 86: Eye For An Eye

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°It is done,¡± Emilia dered calmly, her voice tinged with a sense of finality.


    An eye for an eye, you break into mypany, I¡¯ll burn yours.


    ¡°And reduced to ashes,¡± she added, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.


    ¡°Excellent. Proceed with the second phase. Let him face the consequences,¡± Imanded. The call was swiftly terminated after my instruction.


    Setting the phone aside, I had always sensed a shadow of darkness in Emilia. It first revealed itself when she fought relentlessly for her daughter¡¯s life. She was no mere warrior; she embodied a mother¡¯s fierce fury, making her even more dangerous.


    Remus¡¯s vast empire spanned the globe, but the ruin of his mainpany dealt a significant blow, requiring considerable time to recover.


    However, the debt was far from settled; in fact, we had merely scratched the surface.


    ¡°Sire,¡± Frank entered my study, wearing a concerned expression.


    ¡°Miss Cercei wishes to see you,¡± he informed me, appearing uneasy.


    ¡°Why?¡± I furrowed my brow, immediately rising to my feet and going to her room. What vexation had urred to her now?


    ****


    ¡°Ah, there you are,¡± she said as I entered, her arms folded in a show of frustration.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°Why have you imprisoned me here?¡± She impatiently and irritably demanded.


    ¡°Because you are a prisoner,¡± I hesitated before answering.


    ¡°Even prisons allow their captives a few hours of leisure. I have been detained here for two whole days!¡± Her retort was sharp.


    ¡°Very well!¡± Frank¡¯s disapproval emanated from behind me, his gaze burning into my back.


    ¡°She might encounter Vienna,¡± he whispered.


    ¡°You may have 15 minutes in the garden,¡± I acquiesced.


    ¡°Am I to be treated like a dog?¡± Her jaw clenched in indignation at my offer. Technically, I had subjected her to such treatment by caging her in this room.


    Sighing, I conceded defeat.


    ¡°Fine, what is it you wish to do?¡± I checked my watch, aware of an impending meeting in 15 minutes.


    ¡°Something that does not concern you,¡± she replied with a heavy dose of sass. Frank struggled to suppress hisughter, and I shot him a re. There was nothing remotely amusing about the situation, and yet he dared tough!


    ¡°You are in my house,¡± I said tly, making it clear that everything she did, whether in my presence or not, did concern me.


    ¡°And?¡± Her eyebrows arched challengingly.


    ¡°Unlock her door, but she is never to set foot outside my estate again,¡± I announced with authority and then left.


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± she shouted as I exited.


    ¡°She has be quite spirited,¡± Frank remarked from behind. Indeed, I recalled her as a gentle and innocent soul, but now she was fierce and possessed a sharp tongue. I wondered where she had learned such traits.


    ¡°You do realise that Vienna is just down the hall. If she sees her, she¡¯ll spill everything,¡± Frank warned.


    Vienna stubbornly refuses to leave, even though I¡¯ve tried to intimidate her with threats. She¡¯s right; Cercei remains oblivious to her true heritage, believing her mother¡¯s husband to be her real father.


    She knows her mother suffered abuse, but she remains unaware of the oue of that torment-a child, Cercei herself.


    I understand that revealing the truth would shatter her as if she isn¡¯t already broken enough. It would crush her to learn that she¡¯s been deceived her entire life, and I can¡¯t say I me her for resenting it.


    Yet, a part of me yearns to free her from this trap of lies. She deserves to grow up knowing the truth. However, it¡¯s not my ce to interfere. Her mother shielded her from the truth, and I must respect that decision.


    ¡°Do not let her see Vienna,¡± Imanded.


    She will learn what she needs to know when the time is right.


    Or am I just using that as an excuse to avoid her hatred, even though she already despises me? I don¡¯t wish to add more fuel to the fire.


    ****


    ¡°The Shadow Pack and the MoonStone Pack have officially united their forces,¡± I informed Uncle John, who calmly sipped on his drink.


    I clenched my jaw. Is this your way of catching my attention, Remus?


    ¡°The Shadow Pack?¡± Uncle John inquired.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°Histe wife¡¯s original pack,¡± replied Uncle Edward.


    ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± I stated, shifting in my seat. Both my uncles turned their gazes to me. Since my mother¡¯s death, my uncles have been preparing and training for this war. They thirst for justice and revenge even more than I do.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± asked Uncle John.


    ¡°He murdered his wife,¡± I dered.


    ¡°And how do you know this?¡± It was Uncle Edward who posed the question.


    ¡°I gained the trust of his head servant and traded her freedom for information,¡± I stated nonchntly.


    ¡°And you¡¯re certain?¡± Uncle John poured himself another drink.


    ¡°She could be lying,¡± he suggested. I nced at him.


    ¡°Why would she lie about that?¡± I pondered, keeping my eyes on him.


    ¡°Anger? Hatred? The desire for revenge?¡± He shrugged. My attention then shifted to my other uncle, who nced at his brother before looking back at me.


    It¡¯s a reasonable doubt, and I understand their scepticism.


    ¡°Do you have any evidence, Lucian?¡± Uncle Edward asked me. I maintained a stoic expression.


    ¡°Only the word of a witness,¡± I replied, causing Uncle John to chuckle at my response.


    ¡°Let me guess, the head servant again,¡± he taunted, his tone irritating me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Words alone won¡¯t suffice, Lucian. Who¡¯s to say the Shadow Pack will believe you? They might view your ims as mere lies to thwart their alliance,¡± Uncle Edward stated, his expression grave while Uncle John focused on concocting his drinks.


    I had to admit, I hadn¡¯t thoroughly considered that possibility. I was convinced that Mad¨¤m Cece was telling the truth; after all, I had extracted her words through relentless questioning. However, Uncle Edward¡¯s sly mockery began grating on my nerves, though I begrudgingly acknowledged his point. Sentiments alone wouldn¡¯t suffice as evidence.


    ¡°What precisely did this head servant reveal?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°She was the one who provided Remus with the poison after his wife gave birth. Remus exploited that moment of histe wife¡¯s childbirth to conceal the murder hemitted,¡± I exined inly.


    ¡°So she was a conspirator,¡± Uncle John questioned.


    ¡°A criminal is unlikely to confess to her crimes,¡± he probed further. Mad¨¤m Cece might have been shaken, but I believed in her testimony, not foolishly.


    ¡°Whether she did or not, weck proof. It won¡¯t be enough,¡± Uncle Edward diffused the building tension.


    ¡°He can form alliances all he wants, but he can never match the might of ourbined power.¡± The entirety of the North was under mymand, with Uncle John¡¯s pack at my side and Uncle Edward¡¯s connections bolstering our forces. I had highly skilled and lethal warriors and advanced machinery, and I held captive the woman Remus loved and his daughter-or rather, daughters. The odds seemed to favour my motivation.


    ¡°It¡¯s too early to dere victory, Lucian,¡± Uncle Edward cautioned. Victory arrives precisely when it¡¯s meant to, Uncle.


    ¡°I possess everything he cherishes,¡± I asserted.


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely the issue,¡± Uncle John set down his cup, fixing his gaze on me.


    ¡°He knows your hand, but you know nothing about his,¡± he pointed out, and I looked at him intently.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it peculiar? Remus is a brilliant man, yet he allows you to hold the upper hand,¡± Uncle John queried.


    Suddenly, I fell silent.


    ¡°He¡¯s plotting something behind your back,¡± Uncle Edward added, his eyes locked on me.


    ¡°That¡¯s the way it goes,¡± I stated the obvious. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t reveal his ns and strategies.


    ¡°You know what I mean, Lucian,¡± Uncle John retorted to my sarcasm. I took a deep breath.


    ¡°Whatever he¡¯s up to, it won¡¯t seed,¡± I assert stubbornly.

 Chapter 87: Familiar Voice

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± I spat at him, my anger boiling over as he rudely turned away.


    With a deep sigh of frustration, I decided to abandon the entire ill-fated n. It crumbled before it could even start. My mother remains missing, and there¡¯s no trace of Maria either. The original goal was to approach Lucian with persistent kindness, to gain his trust, and ultimately secure my mother back. Yet, now I know she is not in these walls, so what¡¯s the purpose of still staying here?


    My fury was so intense that it felt like plumes of smoke were escaping from my ears. I dialed Vincent to inform him of the abrupt cancetion of our n, and his disappointment was noticeable, just like my Aunt. Now they¡¯re trying to figure out where in the world Lucian would hide my mother.


    Escaping from this ce is my only purpose now, although I know all too well that it won¡¯t be a simple feat, given Lucian¡¯s ill temperament recently.


    That arrogant scoundrel! I had momentarily believed he had softened when he dispatched Maria to my room, but it was merely a fleeting illusion. Instead, he proceeded to lock me away for a gruelling two days.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I had willinglye here with the understanding that I would be his captive, but I never perceived the reality of bing his genuine prisoner. Not a single soul has crossed my path for forty-eight hours, and Inguish in a room empty of any entertainment. The silence has reached such an extreme that I can practically hear the faint footfalls of ants crawling on the floor.


    As I stepped out of the front door, a guard had the audacity to inquire, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    With an exasperated eye-roll, I retorted, ¡°Your boss allowed me to step out if you didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Halt! Wait!¡± He raised his palms in a gesture to stop me.


    Ugh! I felt annoyed.


    He proceeded to make a phone call, undoubtedly reporting my every move.


    ¡°Yes, Sir. I¡¯ll ensure she remains under close watch,¡± he dutifully responded before ending the call. I couldn¡¯t help but roll my eyes once more, though the repeated eye-rolling was beginning to make me feel somewhat dizzy.


    Since Maria shared the disheartening news about my mother, she hasn¡¯t returned anymore. It¡¯s highly likely that Lucian forbade her from having any further contact with me.


    I yearn to escape this ce without dy. These walls feel suffocating, and my every second spent here is a moment wasted when I should be searching for my mother.


    Lucian stated that I am technically allowed outside, but my freedom is limited solely to the garden. The silver lining is that his ¡°garden¡± is practically a vast forest, but s, my every step is trailed by ten relentless men, not to mention the others who keep a discrete distance.


    ¡°Can you please leave me be?¡± I asked, my annoyance bubbling to the surface. I came to a stop, and unsurprisingly, they mirrored my actions, standing there like mindless statues, feigning ignorance of my request. Are these men mere automatons devoid of any ability to understand?


    ¡°Fuck you, Lucian Red!¡± If only I had known that my mother wasn¡¯t here, I would have never set foot in this ce. We were so certain that he would keep her here, inside his headquarters. Where else would she be if not by his side? After all, she is nothing short of his prized weapon, and we believed he would exploit her to lure in Monsieur.


    Once, I foundfort in nature, finding peace in leisurely walks and the simple act of breathing in fresh air. But now, every scenic view is tainted, knowing that I am under the constant surveince of countless men, observing my every move.


    Is it even feasible? Attempting to escape seems like an insurmountable task. This ce is situated in an exceedingly remote location, leaving me entirely ignorant of any potential escape routes. Even if, by some miracle, I managed to avoid Lucian¡¯s men, I would be confronted by the towering gate that seemed to desire to reach the heavens. As if that weren¡¯t enough, the tough security measures would undoubtedly electrocute any attempt at breaking free. Escaping would be tantamount to a dangerous and brutal suicide.


    My thoughts drift to Maria, and I can¡¯t help but wonder if she is still blocked from seeing me. The uncertainty gnaws at me.


    Unable to enjoy the refreshing breeze of the forest due to the ever-watchful eyes, I opt to return inside the mansion to search for Maria. However, I hesitate to inquire with the guards, unsure if they know her whereabouts, and truthfully, I¡¯m not in the mood to engage in conversation with them.


    The sheer size of Lucian¡¯s mansion escapes my notice on my initial arrival. It dwarfs Monsieur¡¯s mansion twofold, and I can¡¯t help but imagine the loneliness that must linger being the only upant of such a vast ce. Despite having thousands of guards at his beck and call, there is no family to share his life with.


    This may exin why he suddenly changed. His mother was hisst connection to a familial bond, a guiding presence in his life. Her absence left him adrift, lost without direction.


    I can¡¯t imagine whether he even mourned her sufficiently, for the weight of numerous responsibilities pressed on his shoulders. Not only must he fulfil the role of an Alpha, but he also carries the burden of being the CEO of his vast business empire, all while grappling with the ongoing war.


    Regret gnaws at my conscience, realising that I may have been unreasonably harsh, failing to consider anyone¡¯s feelings beyond mine. As I wander through the mansion, I can¡¯t help but notice its emptiness, with in walls decorated only byrge nts and numerous vases. My stare is drawn to a massive painting in the living room, depicting a figure that bears a striking resemnce to Lucian, unmistakably his father. The man exudes an intimidating aura, passing on his traits to his son. Yet, Lucian¡¯s eyes seem to be an inheritance from his mother.


    Intrigued, I descend into the basement, which is unlike any typical basement but rather an expansive space simr to another mansion below the ground. It bes evident that this is where Lucian¡¯s intricate ns are set into motion, teeming with more people than the upper levels. No wonder he spends so much time down here.


    Initially intending to return to my room after an unsessful search for Maria, I feel as though I¡¯ve travelled every nook and cranny of the mansion without finding any trace of her.


    When I walk back through the dimly lit hallway to my room, mysterious noises echo around me. Surprisingly, no guards were present anymore; perhaps they were given strict orders to leave me alone.


    Despite attempting to ignore the mour, the banging on a nearby door grows louder and more insistent. My curiosity was piqued, and I cautiously approached the source of the sound.


    The hallway has an eerie, almost horror movie-like scene, amplifying my fear. With each step, the noises be clearer and more discernible. Suddenly, a voice pleads desperately, ¡°Just let me see her, please!¡±


    The voice sends shivers down my spine. It sounds strangely familiar, but such a possibility seems impossible.


    Startled, I leap in shock when someone suddenly appears behind me, eximing, ¡°Miss Cercei.¡±


    ¡°F-Frank!¡± I stammer, still shaken by his sudden presence.


    ¡°My apologies for scaring you,¡± he says apologetically.


    Recovering from the shock, I take a deep breath and agree as he suggests, ¡°Let me take you to your room.¡± He guided me in the opposite direction, leading me away from the intriguing door that had captured my attention.


    But my thoughts continue to linger on the mysterious voice I heard, leaving me questioning my own perceptions.


    Did my ears deceive me, or was there something in this mansion hidden beyond?

 Chapter 88: He Likes Me!

    Maria¡¯s POV


    After the rigorous training session, Frank became eerily silent, almost to the point of being deafening. His sudden silence left me uneasy.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated with myself. The idea of beginner¡¯s luck seemed absurd, as my stance, knowledge, and aim were all at an advanced level, possibly surpassing that of at least half of the trainees present.


    Although I was still a mere child when Ist trained, one skill in which I consistently excelled was marksmanship, the sole aspect that my father took pride in.


    Supposedly, I was meant to be the clueless, innocent, poor ve, but I couldn¡¯t resist my inclination toward archery. Years had passed since I had held or evenid eyes on a bow and arrows, yet the allure of archery retained its firm grip in my mind.


    In a feeble attempt to initiate a conversation, I blurted out, ¡°Wow, that tree looks green.¡± It was a rather silly remark, but I hoped to break through Frank¡¯s unusual silence, which seemed to stem from deep thinking.


    However, he didn¡¯t even spare me a nce, his gaze fixed intently on the road ahead.


    ¡°Oh my god, is that a lion?¡± I eximed dramatically, pointing at nothing in particr. There was, of course, no lion to be seen.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have lions here in the North,¡± he replied tly, clearly unimpressed by my silliness. I inwardly cringed at my own foolishness, wondering how I could keep getting stupider by the minute.


    ¡°Right,¡± I awkwardly chuckled, but his solemn expression remained unchanged, provoking my annoyance.


    ¡°Could you please say something?¡± I asked him directly, my patience wearing thin.


    ¡°What?¡± He looked perplexed.


    ¡°Say something,¡± I repeated, my tone more demanding.


    ¡°Say what?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. You¡¯re being awfully quiet.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a bber like you,¡± he hissed at me, and I was taken aback by his remark. What kind of attitude was that especiallying from a man?


    ¡°I¡¯m not a robot like you,¡± I mocked, mimicking his low voice. He shook his head with disappointment, and I couldn¡¯t help but pull a face and cross my arms in defiance.


    If he wanted silence, then fine. I decided I wouldn¡¯t bother talking to him again.


    When we finally arrived back at the mansion, I hastily opened the car door even before he had a chance to unlock his seatbelt. It might have been a somewhat childish move, but what else could I do? He was bing incredibly annoying. This was the first time I had ever felt interested in a man, yet hepletely ignored me. I knew my marksmanship skills were impressive; shouldn¡¯t he be at least slightly impressed?


    I¡¯m a unique individual, and if he refused to acknowledge that, then he could just go to hell.


    ¡°Maria.¡±


    I halted my steps and turned to face him, pinching myself to ensure I wasn¡¯t imagining things.


    ¡°You have a perfect aim. You should train more often,¡± he said, casually walking away.


    My knees felt weak, and a wide smile spread across my face. My cheeks burned, and I probably looked like a love-struck fool at this moment.


    ¡°I should train more often,¡± I whispered to myself, my heart racing. Did that mean he wanted to spend more time with me?


    I knew it! He liked me. Well, who wouldn¡¯t? I¡¯m a perfectly likable person.


    With a blissful grin, I made my way back to my room, yes, I had a room here. Lucian had generously offered it to me when I chose to stay with Cercei rather than seek freedom elsewhere. Leaving wouldn¡¯t grant me true freedom anyway; my father would find me and drag me back to lead our pack. I preferred to stay here, among people who epted me for who I am, not just as some royalty or a princess meant to secure their future. Besides, I was starting to genuinely enjoy being here.


    As I made my way back to my room, someone suddenly dragged me away. I was about to voice my protest when she swiftly covered my mouth and locked the door behind us. It was Cercei, and she seemed genuinely concerned.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    ¡°Where have you been? I haven¡¯t seen you for days,¡± she asked, her eyes searching mine for answers.


    ¡°I was busy,¡± I replied awkwardly, not wanting to disclose the truth. In reality, I had been spending a lot of time with Frank, almost incessantly bothering him with my presence. But there was another reason I kept my distance from Cercei. I couldn¡¯t risk revealing Vienna¡¯s presence here. Lucian had strictly forbidden anyone from mentioning the war or anything rted to it in front of her.


    ¡°Doing what? And why are you dressed like that?¡± she inquired, eyeing my sporty outfit ¨C dark green cargo pants,bat boots, and a ck racer-back top.


    ¡°I went for a walk,¡± I answered partially truthfully. After all, I did walk, but I couldn¡¯t mention that I had been at Lucian¡¯s training ground. Cercei wasn¡¯t supposed to know about any of this for her own safety.


    ¡°Is my mother back?¡± she asked with a touch of hope in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not yet,¡± I said, feeling guilty for hiding the truth. If only I could tell her where her mother truly was, but I had promised both Lucian and her mother that I would keep silent. It was for the best that Cercei remained unaware. I trusted her more than anyone, and it pained me to lie to her.


    She sat down on her bed, disappointment written all over her face. I sighed and sat beside her, taking her hand in mine, attempting to offer somefort. But she didn¡¯t respond with a smile, and her eyes seemed troubled.


    ¡°I heard something earlier,¡± she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.


    ¡°Heard what?¡± I asked, trying to act clueless.


    ¡°A voice,¡± she replied, and her gaze bore into me, searching for any sign of reaction.


    ¡°What voice?¡± I furrowed my brows, acting calm.


    ¡°Vienna, it¡¯s somewhat Vienna¡¯s voice,¡± she spilled it out, looking directly into my eyes.


    My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt nervous, but I maintained a poker face. I gave a dramatic, feigned expression of confusion and chuckled lightly.


    ¡°What?¡± I replied, gaslighting her, hoping to make her doubt her own perception.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, it¡¯sing from the other side of the hall,¡± she insisted, trying to convince me of the reality of what she had heard.


    ¡°Why would Vienna be here?¡± I asked, acting incredulous, making her feel like her words didn¡¯t make sense.


    She imed to have heard Vienna¡¯s voice. If only I could have shut Vienna up somehow. Cercei must not know she¡¯s here; who knows what poisonous words Vienna might inject into her mind. Vienna¡¯s words are toxic and maniptive.


    Vienna had been lingering here for days, despite Lucian giving her a chance to leave. She didn¡¯t wear any makeup or fancy clothes, and she had no phone. We couldn¡¯t guess her true intentions, but we knew they couldn¡¯t be good.

 Chapter 89: I Hate You

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    I am utterly fed up,pletely and utterly done. Everyone around me has fallen into an eerie silence or be awkwardly distant. They are obviously trying their best to hold their tongues, but their behavior is a dead giveaway that something is amiss. Even Maria, who is usually soposed, is acting strangely.


    This wasn¡¯t the purpose that I came here, nor does it align with my mission. When I called Vincent for updates on my mother, he had nothing to share. Moreover, the elders are starting to grow suspicious of my whereabouts since they didn¡¯t witness my departure, and Aunt Mnie is still in the pack.


    And then there was that noise I heard in the hallway. If it weren¡¯t for everyone acting so strangely and avoiding me, I might have dismissed it as a figment of my imagination.


    I don¡¯t know what to do with all of this. I had intended to return to that hallway, but once again, I found myself detained in my room.


    ¡°Miss, you are not allowed to leave your¡­¡± The guard stationed outside my room began as soon as I opened the door. I crossed my arms in frustration.


    ¡°I wish to see your boss,¡± I demanded firmly.


    ¡°Lord Lucian is¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a single fuck,¡± I rudely interrupted. God Himself would understand my cursing, given what I¡¯ve been through.


    ¡°Bring him to me, or I will find him myself,¡± I asserted impatiently. The two guards in front of me exchanged bewildered nces, unsure how to answer. I rolled my eyes in exasperation and marched forward, aiming to head to Lucian¡¯s office.


    ¡°Miss, you can¡¯t leave,¡± they said, clutching both my arms.


    ¡°Let go of me!¡± I tried to wrestle my arms free.


    ¡°Please, Miss, return to your room,¡± they begged as they forcefully ushered me back inside. As my patience wore thin, my eyes turned red, and my fangs began to grow. In the blink of an eye, I found myself engaged in a fierce fight with them. I wrenched my arm free, delivering a forceful elbow to one guard¡¯s abdomen andnding a solid punch on his nose. The other tried to restrain me, but my speed was unmatched, and I promptly hindered him with a swift kick to his sensitive area.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I found myself surprisingly empowered, disying skills I never knew I had as I quickly incapacitated both guards. Their radiotelephone began to ring as they writhed in pain on the ground.


    While they were upied with their difort, I decided to take matters into my own hands and answered the call.


    ¡°Good fight,¡± came Lucian¡¯s voice on the other end. I gritted my teeth in response.


    ¡°Happy to put on a show for you,¡± I replied, dripping with sarcasm.


    ¡°You seem eager to see me,¡± he taunted.


    ¡°Indeed, I¡¯ming to see you, and any guard that dares to stop me will regret it,¡± I dered before cutting the call. I retrieved a gun from one of the guards and proceeded to Lucian¡¯s office.


    To my surprise, there were no guards in sight. It seemed they had cleared out swiftly, which was unusual considering they were usually stationed everywhere like clockwork.


    I pushed open the door to Lucian¡¯s office with a loud creak. He was leaning against his desk, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a drink. A smirk illuminated his face as he stared at me.


    I loaded the gun and pointed it at him, slowly closing and locking the door, maintaining eye contact all the while. His amusement at the situation was infuriating, making me even more tempted to pull the trigger.


    ¡°Please, have mercy,¡± he mockingly pleaded. My jaw clenched in frustration.


    ¡°Where is my mother?¡± I demanded firmly. He took a sip from his drink, remaining nonchnt as if no gun was aimed at his head.


    ¡°Would you mind putting the gun down? It¡¯s obstructing my view of your beautiful face,¡± he quipped, evading my question. Annoyed, I cocked the gun.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I repeated with intensity, closing the distance between us until the tip of the gun touched his forehead. He calmly set down his ss.


    ¡°Somewhere, but not here,¡± he answered calmly. I pressed the gun harder against his head, growing impatient.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y games with me, Lucian,¡± I growled in frustration.


    ¡°Ah, did I finally manage to kill the saint inside you?¡± he asked, amused. Little did he know that the saint in me had died long ago, the moment I stepped outside that mansion.


    ¡°Answer me, or I will blow your head,¡± I threatened calmly yet assertively.


    In an instant, our position shifted dramatically. Swiftly, I found myself leaning against the table while he stood before me, firmly grasping the very gun I had held just moments before. The cold, menacing tip of the gun lightly touched my chin.


    ¡°Or I will blow yours,¡± he retorted in a chilling tone.


    ¡°You must either be exceedingly brave or utterly foolish to challenge my capacity inside my own home,¡± he taunted as he advanced closer. I attempted to maintain a semnce of distance, perched awkwardly on the edge of the table.


    ¡°I think I like the devil you¡¯re turning into,¡± his voice, a seductive whisper, held me captive, and our nearness left me feeling somewhat lightheaded. His words seemed to cast a spell, and I found myself momentarily entranced.


    ¡°I¡¯d miss the good old saint Cercei, but I must admit, I find the change in you rather intriguing,¡± he mused, his fingers gently brushing against my hair.


    My instincts screamed at me to resist, and I attempted to kick him, but he effortlessly caught my legs, preventing any further action. Luckily my dress offered little protection, leaving my skin acutely aware of his touch.


    The seething anger that had consumed me earlier seemed to change into something else entirely, a fierce hunger, an insatiable craving. I felt an inexplicable desperation, longing for something beyond mere control or power.


    He parted my knees further with his knees. I wanted to fight, but I was slowly giving up to his lustful eyes.


    ¡°I hate you,¡± the words slithered from my lips, devoid of any trace of anger. Instead, it dripped with a mesmerising allure, weaving a spell of enchantment that defied conventional emotions.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± He slowly let his fingers glide down my thighs, then up to my t belly, ribs, and chest.


    I closed my eyes and felt the heat numbing my entire being when his finger reached the nub on my left breast. I shivered. He massaged it slowly with just one finger!


    ¡°I hate you too.¡± He said in a seductive voice.


    I bit my tongue when he pinched it a little. ¡°I hate you more.¡±


    ¡°Really,¡± His fingers went circr. His voice was thick, low, and pleasant to the ears.


    One smooth move, and he freed my breasts from my bra and dress. I opened my eyes in astonishment, and heat went flushing down as I looked down on my two mounts. He massaged it freely as his kisses gently trailed on my neck until it reached my cleavage.


    I moaned. I yielded to his embrace. I sensed his other hand deftly securing my back, preventing me from tumbling entirely off his elegant office table. I found myself submitting to the maic pull of his touch as if I were melting into his arms.

 Chapter 90: You鈥檙e Not Leaving Me Again

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    This isn¡¯t the first time we had sex, but it feels more intense than the first time we did it. This one is just full of longing and desire, hungry and intense. His every move makes my inside scream and begs as the pleasure intensifies. I am bing the demon, and it¡¯s because of this man.


    I was panting and moaning loud when his hand freed my other breast and slowly caressed my lower abdomen. Our kisses started to get wild and hungry, especially when he plunged two fingers into my wet folds.


    He groaned, talking between our tangled tongues, ¡°You¡¯re dripping wet.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ ahh¡­more,¡± I groaned when he slowed down, and I didn¡¯t want him to stop.


    ¡°Do you still hate me now, hm?¡± He asked grimly while his other hand smoothly pulled down my panties.


    I was on the verge of my orgasm, and he hadn¡¯t even touched my skin yet! And when he found my pearls, I closed my eyes in pleasure. My nails are buried in his back as I embrace the heavenly sensation of this unnamed feeling!Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    He cursed near my ear when he felt me shaking while his fingers slid in and out of my wet core.


    He knew damn well his effect on me, and he brought my walls fully wrapped his fingers tightly.


    ¡°Y-yes. More¡­. Ah,¡± I let out a long moan again, it didn¡¯t sound hateful at all. Not even a slightest. His wild invasion totally took me away.


    Once more, I find myself in this regrettable situation. Most people stumble into foolish acts when under the influence of alcohol, but here I am, undertaking what they dub the ¡®walk of shame,¡¯ despite abstaining from such indulgences.


    I just slept with my mother¡¯s kidnapper. My own foolishness astounds me. This isn¡¯t the first instance that I was yielding to temptation, though I had foolishly hoped there wouldn¡¯t be a second time.


    What is it about him that fascinates me so much? His scent possesses an inexplicable allure, drawing me in like a mesmerising enchantment.


    As if my situation weren¡¯t foolish enough, I find myself torn between conflicting emotions. Part of me wishes to regret my actions, but if I¡¯m honest with myself, deep inside, I know I don¡¯t. It¡¯s perplexing, to say the least. No wonder countless women are enamoured by him, as he possesses an undeniable expertise in bed. Even thinking about it makes my cheeks flush, and I can¡¯t help but wonder why such naughty thoughts are consuming my mind.


    We are currently in his bedroom. We kinda did a little continuation in his room. I am fully naked, and his hands roam all over my body. I could barely breathe.


    ****


    I gingerly tried to release myself from his grasp, but he stirred slightly, causing me to retreat instinctively. I nervously bit my lip, not wanting to wake him up. How could I face him now? Just an hour ago, I stormed into his study with a gun, and now I found myself in his bed, my body sore from our encounter.


    Clutching the nket around me, as my clothes had been torn, I carefully moved toward the door, hoping to make a swift exit without any further embarrassment. My heart pounded in my chest as he shifted again, and I froze, fearing that he might wake up at any moment.


    Silently, I reached the door, only to find it frustratingly locked. I twisted the doorknob harder, but it refused to budge. Panic started to set in as I realised there was no key, and it appeared that the door could only be opened with a fingerprint and password, likely something only Lucian possessed.


    Darn it, I was trapped! I twisted it back and forth in frustration.


    ¡°You are not leaving me again,¡± his hoarse voice echoed from behind me, making me jump in surprise. He must have been awake and overheard my failed escape attempt. I turned to face him, his half-closed eyes adding an alluring quality to his hoarse morning voice.


    I cleared my throat, attempting to regain someposure.


    ¡°Open this door, I want to leave,¡± I demanded, trying to mask my nervousness.


    Ignoring my request, he patted the space beside him and spoke in a seductive tone, ¡°Come here.¡±


    Determined not to be swayed, I repeated my demand, ¡°Open this door, Lucian.¡±


    ¡°Lay with me, please,¡± he pleaded with me to lie with him as he looked straight into my eyes. I found myself melting at the sound of his voice, just like ice cream on a warm day. I walked toward him without any resistance, bewildered by the power he seemed to hold over me.


    ¡°Open the door,¡± I insisted, crossing my arms, standing beside him as hey down. Suddenly, he pulled me toward him, causing me to lose my bnce and end up on top of him.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± I squirmed, but his grip was firm.


    ¡°Just one second,¡± he whispered, his eyes closed. I could see his fatigue, not just from the previous night¡¯s activities but from the weight of his responsibilities. Being powerful and wealthy seemed to take its toll on him, especially with his severe pursuit of revenge. I doubted he was getting enough rest.


    Yet, even during his weariness, he remained strikingly handsome. Nothing could diminish his charm. His morning stubble made him look even more masculine and incredibly attractive.


    Reluctantly, I ceased my struggles and allowed him to embrace me. I had to admit his warmth felt like home, and his morning scent was so captivating that I didn¡¯t want to leave.


    At this moment, I wished for time to stand still so that we could stay like this forever.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± he asked, and I nodded. He kissed my forehead tenderly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have breakfast delivered here,¡± he said, reaching for a small button on his bedside table.


    ¡°I¡¯m sore,¡± Iined in a small voice. His chuckle only made me want to hear more of his morning voice, husky and alluring.


    ¡°Stopughing. This is your fault,¡± I yfully pped his strong arm, and he tightened his hold, nting another gentle kiss on my head.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just missed you so much,¡± he murmured softly, causing me to smile. It was all so confusing but in a strangely wonderful way.


    ¡°I missed you too,¡± I found myself confessing without reservation.


    Just then, breakfast arrived, and we shared a meal together on his bed.


    I couldn¡¯t deny how much I had longed for him, even if I tried to resist. The truth was, I didn¡¯t hate him, and I never could.


    His smile had a hold on me like a vice grip, and seeing it on his face after so long warmed my heart.


    As much as he wanted me to stay longer, I knew he had important work to attend to. So, I eventually left his room, though his smile continued to linger in my thoughts.


    Back in my own room, the smile on my face refused to fade, and just the memory ofst night¡¯s events was enough to make me blush.

 Chapter 91: You鈥檙e Not Leaving Me Again

    Remus¡¯ POV


    ¡°Still no word from your daughter, Monsieur?¡± inquired Mariano, my newly-appointed butler. After killing both  Russo and Henri, I found it necessary to have a reliable right-hand man. Mariano had served me faithfully for many years.


    ¡°She¡¯s engrossed in her duties, Mariano,¡± I exhaled a puff of smoke from my cigar. Weeks had passed since I dispatched Vienna to Lucian¡¯s territory, and I hadn¡¯t received any updates from her since.


    I know all too well about Lucian and Cercei. Being well-acquainted with their characters, I knew Lucian wouldn¡¯t harm Vienna, being aware of her rtionship with Cercei.


    Whether Cercei had discovered her true origins remained uncertain, but it was only a matter of time. Predicting the actions of pure-hearted individuals proved rather simple.


    ¡°They¡¯ve arrived,¡± one of my men announced, prompting me to dispose of my cigarette.


    ¡°About time,¡± I rose from my seat, ready to take action.


    After Lucian¡¯s recent stunt, it was time for me to retaliate in return. I grew weary of his silly games.


    Descending to the dungeon, I found various investors and nobles from numerous packs in the West, all bound and blindfolded. I signalled my men to remove their blindfolds one by one, revealing their resentful gazes when seeing me standing before them.


    ¡°My honourable friends,¡± I gestured grandly, addressing them with an air of hostility.


    ¡°Wee to my humble home,¡± I devilishly grinned as they remained on their knees, their mouths securely taped shut.


    ¡°No doubt you¡¯re curious as to why you find yourselves in this situation,¡± I strolled around, my footsteps grumbling throughout the room.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I mused, raising my hand to my chin as if pondering their predicament. My stride came to a halt, a calcted pause that heightened the tension in the room.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, you find yourselves here to swear your undying loyalty and pledge your persistent alliance to me,¡± I proimed with chilling authority.


    One of the Lords attempted to protest, his muffled words and fidgeting drawing my attention.


    ¡°Bring him to me,¡± Imanded, and my men quickly seized him and brought him before me.


    With a flick of my hand, I removed the tape from his mouth.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°Ah, Lord Gregor from the strongest Xielo Pack. How delightful to have you join us,¡± I grinned, undeterred by the deadly intensity of his stare and the tight clench of his jaw.


    ¡°My loyalty will never be yours, Remus. You are no King,¡± he spat out with defiance.


    In response, I coldly extended my hand, ruthlessly wrenching his heart from his chest. My smile remained rigid as I tore out his heart in one swift motion.


    His lifeless body fell to the ground, the sound of impact echoing through the dungeon. I raised my blood-stained hand, his heart still in my grip, blood dripping down my arms to the floor below.


    ¡°You have a choice. Loyalty or death,¡± I enunciated each word, scanning the captives with a menacing gaze. The captureddies trembled in fear while the Lords struggled to maintain their bravado.


    ¡°Now, make your decision,¡± I growled, underscoring the gravity of the moment.


    One of the older Lords was the first to yield, submitting entirely to my dominion. The others followed suit, their surrender motivated by fear of the alternative, an existence with nothing left to cling to. Lucian had pushed me to my limits, and now I found myself driven to desperate measures.


    ¡°Lady Haelena of the Flower Pack, isn¡¯t it?¡± I addressed one of the defiant women who remained on her knees, her head held high. Mariano removed the tape from her mouth at my gesture.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to stoop to such desperation for an alliance, Alpha Crescent,¡± she smirked confidently.


    ¡°Well, they do say desperate times call for desperate measures,¡± I countered, upromising in my stance.


    ¡°So, you admit it; you¡¯re desperate. You know you stand no chance against the King in the North. He has never tasted defeat in any battle,¡± she stated boldly. Iughed softly as I approached her.


    ¡°But I have already defeated him in battle,¡± I whispered into her ear before swiftly taking her heart, silencing her defiance.


    ¡°Anyone else?¡± I challenged the remaining few who still held their heads high. In an instant, they all bowed inpliance.


    A triumphant smile spread across my lips as I seized fifteen Lords and Ladies nowpletely under my control. The tides had turned in my favour, and I enjoyed the power that surged through my veins, fueling my thirst for mying wrath against Lucian.


    The alliance was sealed in blood, an unbreakable oath made under the watchful eye of the full moon. In our wolfish world, betraying such a solemn pledge would bring eternal suffering, slow and agonising.


    Now, the battlefield lies even. Lucian controls the North, and I reign over the West. The forting war promises to be a fierce and severe sh.


    ¡°What about your daughters, Monsieur?¡± Mariano inquired.


    ¡°Vienna has been sent to reveal Cercei¡¯s true heritage, and she has yet to return. I assume she has gained Cercei¡¯s support,¡± I replied.


    ¡°But what if Cercei decides not to return here once she learns the truth?¡± Mariano expressed his worry. I chuckled at his worry.


    ¡°That was never the n, Mariano,¡± I shook my head.


    ¡°Then what is?¡± he asked, genuinely curious.


    ¡°Once Cercei discovers her true origin, all the lies she¡¯s been shielded from will shatter her beliefs. She will harbour resentment towards her Mother, and above all, she will loathe Lucian,¡± I exined, pacing thoughtfully.


    ¡°Once she despises him, he will be weakened and vulnerable. We will seize the chance to bring him to ruin when that timees,¡± I dered firmly.


    I will be there to answer Cercei¡¯s every question, guiding her thoughts and emotions in my desired direction.


    While Vienna continues her charade, gaining their trust, I will multiply my forces, even if it requires forceful means and torture.


    As for my beloved Emilia, she has admirably shattered mypany, diminishing it to defeats. However, I would have been prouder if she had aimed her destruction at Lucian instead of me. My Queen, you have set your own castle zing.


    Blinded by false love and lost revenge for Henr¨¬¡¯s death, Emilia has been misled. Henr¨¬ is no match for her; he¡¯s a mere servant, whereas Emilia deserves the world, and I am the only one capable of providing it for her.


    I¡¯m waiting for Vienna¡¯s triumphant return, for I can¡¯t endure this dy any longer. Weeks have passed, and there is still no sign of her. Lucian is no fool; he knows Vienna is on the brink of doing something vicious. He¡¯s doing everything possible to prevent Vienna from getting close to Cercei.


    However, Vienna is no quitter. She won¡¯t return as a failure. Sess is her weakness, and I am not worried about her safety. I know Lucian can¡¯t bring himself to harm his mate¡¯s sister, and Cercei is too gentle for violence.


    It won¡¯t be long before the world witnesses the fall of the North Empire. The dominoes have been set, and the game is now in motion.

 Chapter 92: The Love She Gave Me

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you!¡± Her little threats were nothing short of endearing. She made a vain attempt to approach me, but I effortlessly glided to the far side of the pool.


    One amusing revtion about her tonight was her inability to swim; she could swim a bit, yes, but not when the water ran deep.


    Here we find ourselves, at the rear of my grand mansion, the pool serving as the sole witness to our private moments. Since that unforeseen intrusion into my office, where she wielded a firearm pointed in my direction, an unusual bond has blossomed between us.


    I took her so many times, but I still can¡¯t get enough. She has captured my heart repeatedly, and yet, I find myself greedy. After losing my mother and Cercei¡¯s sudden disappearance, I vowed never to fall into an affection spell again. s, my strength has crumbled, leaving me entangled in an even more potent passion. I would willingly move mountains for her.


    ¡°Come back, I don¡¯t know how to swim,¡± she eximed with emphasis, apanied by a pout that stirred affection inside my heart. I know she would rather drown me if I were to draw near, but who am I to resist those enchanting puppy eyes?


    With measured strokes, I approached her, fully aware of what she had in mind for me. As expected, she yfully ¡°drowned¡± me.


    ¡°Caught you,¡± she grinned, seizing my hand. Her arms quickly circled my neck while I kissed her lips tenderly.


    ¡°You have me entirely,¡± I replied, a smile gracing my features as our foreheads touched. Her giggles filled the air like the sweetest of tunes.


    ¡°I really love how your pool is lit up underwater,¡± she remarked, gesturing towards the lights beneath the water¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I murmured, my hands securely cradling her waist in an enjoying embrace.


    ¡°But I think pink would look even more beautiful than blue,¡± she murmured while I nestled my face into her neck. Theforting warmth of her presence made me feel like I had found my true home, a ce I never wished to leave.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± was all I mustered in response, my attention momentarily distracted. She yfully smacked my arms when she noticed I wasn¡¯t listening.


    ¡°What?¡± I groaned, my voice muffled against her skin.


    ¡°I suggested that adding pink lights would make it look really nice.¡± she reiterated.


    ¡°Consider it done by tomorrow,¡± I repliedzily, utterly captivated by her voice, which caused pleasant vibrations against my cheek as she spoke.


    ¡°And your tiles are a bit slippery,¡± she continued her critique of my pool¡¯s design while I struggled to fully understand her words. I found myself lost in the mesmerising sound of her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll choke to death the engineer who design this one first thing tomorrow,¡± I joked, and she responded with a chuckle while yfully tugging my hair.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± I pouted yfully.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a drama king,¡± she shook her head, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile at her. In return, she pinched my nose.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°I really like our time together,¡± she eventually remarked after a brief silence.


    I remained silent, tightening my embrace around her. Indeed, I shared the sentiment. I loved these intimate moments with her.


    ¡°Do you often swim here?¡± she inquired, and I shook my head.


    ¡°Not often, but asionally,¡± I answered honestly. My schedule had been overwhelmingly upied in recent months, leaving little room for personal ns.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Her curiosity shone through her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m upied,¡± I simply stated. The truth was, I seldom found time for myself, let alone leisurely swims.


    ¡°But weren¡¯t you busy now?¡± she prompted further.


    ¡°I¡¯m busy being with you,¡± I grinned, nting a tender peck on her lips. She rolled her eyes in response, but a smile radiated from her lips to her eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you have many admirers pursuing you because of your sweet tongue,¡± she remarked yfully.


    ¡°What?¡± I pretended innocent, provoking her to pinch my arms yfully.


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb,¡± she pouted, poking my cheek.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I swiftly denied, though I couldn¡¯t deny the attention I received from other women. Despite the ttering interest, there was only one woman I desired to be my wife, my Queen, my mate, whom I cherished wholeheartedly.


    ¡°Tsk,¡± she rolled her eyes again. When did she acquire such sassiness? I recalled her being soft-spoken and reserved, yet this new version of her was undeniably enchanting. The added attitude was simply adorable.


    ¡°Tsk,¡± I mimicked her yfully, eliciting augh from her as she pinched me once more.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she suddenly whispered.


    ¡°For what?¡± I inquired, my heart softening at the sight of her red, sorrowful eyes.


    ¡°For leaving you,¡± her confession filled with heavy emotions lingering in the air.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, too, for letting you feel the need to run. It should be my duty to make you feel safe,¡± I consoled her, gently patting her back. I scolded myself for my foolishness, not being vignt enough. Vienna had infiltrated the city without my knowledge, and she was right under my nose. Despite surrounding the city with my men, I still failed to protect her, and I couldn¡¯t me her. I had vowed to protect her, and even though Vienna didn¡¯t intend to harm her, what if she had? I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of such a result and the burden of such responsibility crushing me instantly.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t ce the me on yourself, Lucian,¡± she asserted, shaking her head frantically.


    ¡°I only wanted to protect you from harm,¡± she added sincerely. But I should have been the one saying that.


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t your battle initially; Monsieur was after us. When he discovered that you were protecting us, he grew furious and ambushed your mother,¡± she whispered thest part.


    ¡°I knew it would happen. I knew that you would inevitably be affected by the conflict between us, sooner orter, but I was selfish and wanted you to be by my side. And now, you¡¯ve lost your mother,¡± her voice cracked, tears brimming in her eyes, on the brink of spilling over.


    ¡°Shh,¡± Iforted, pulling her close to my chest.


    ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself, my love,¡± I whispered, tenderly wiping the tears from her eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault that Remus is a monster,¡± I stated firmly. My n to hold Remus ountable was firm.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Remus went too far in trying to threaten me and make me his ally. I will make him pay for everything he has done to you and to me,¡± I am so sorry, my love, but even if he¡¯s your father, I will make him suffer in hell. I vowed silently.


    ¡°I never wanted to leave,¡± she cried, her sobs racking her fragile form. I gently caressed her head.


    ¡°I cried the night I left, you know. I missed you terribly, but I thought it was for the best,¡± she exined once more.


    ¡°Being separated from you is never a good feeling,¡± she continued, and I knew her confession was genuine. Yet, even with the purest intentions, the separation was unbearable for both of us. I couldn¡¯t function without her; she had be an integral part of my life, intertwined with my very being. Without her, I felt iplete, utterly useless.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever leave me again; I could never forgive you,¡± I whispered. My heart revealed the truth about my feelings.


    I couldn¡¯t endure it a second time; the pain of our previous separation had been unbearable. I felt like losing my mind was likely possible if that happened again. She was mine, and I was hers; we had shared countless intimate moments. Now, as she cradled in my arms, I felt a sense of healing andfort.


    My n for revenge was in motion, and with her mother safe under my protection, Remus was already facing the consequences as hispany fell apart. The victory was close, and as I held her close, I cherished the fact that she was with me, providing love and strength to my life.

 Chapter 93: Let鈥檚 Play A Game

    Maria¡¯s POV


    ¡°Would you like to have some fun?¡± I vivaciously proposed.


    ¡°Are you behaving like a five-year-old?¡± He retorted grumpily, keeping his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I couldn¡¯t help but pout in response.


    ¡°Oh, dear, it seems like you¡¯re in a grumpy mood. Are you on your period?¡± I teased him, a mischievous glint in my eye. He simply ignored my remark and continued driving.


    Currently, we were en route to the barracks to get some weapons. Lucian had asked Frank to fetch and inspect them personally, so I decided to go along. However, Frank wasn¡¯t exactly happy about my presence, stating that it wasn¡¯t a ce for a woman. Well, excuse me, Mister, but that¡¯s rather a sexist sentiment, isn¡¯t it? Is there only one designated ce for women? Perhaps you¡¯ll suggest women should only be in the kitchen, right?


    Just kidding; I know his intention. Frank has a protective nature, and he cares for me. Here I am again, being delusional and drowning myself in daydreaming about silly scenarios that could make me end up crying into a ss of tequ.


    ¡°Come now, let¡¯s have some fun; you¡¯re dreadfully dull,¡± I urged him again.


    ¡°I explicitly instructed you to stay at the mansion, but you¡¯re stubborn,¡± he snapped back. I pouted even more. Does he even understand what fun means?


    ¡°I wanted to be with you,¡± I said, briskly wiggling my eyebrows. He pursed his lips sternly.


    ¡°You¡¯re attempting to suppress your smile,¡± I dered, pointing at his lips. I couldn¡¯t help but smile foolishly myself.


    A furrow appeared on his brow. ¡°You¡¯re utterly conceited,¡± hemented, but the smile on my face refused to fade.


    ¡°You¡¯re inplete denial,¡± I taunted, and to my surprise, a faint smile formed on his face. It confuses me why he always keeps this serious, stoic expression when his smile is truly stunning. I can¡¯t imagine a more captivating sight.


    Heavens, I sound utterly smitten. My father would surely disown me. Ah, well, he already has.


    ¡°How about we y a game of truth or dare?¡± I proposed cheekily.


    ¡°Would that finally make you stop talking?¡± he quipped.


    ¡°How can we y if I remain silent?¡± I responded sarcastically.


    ¡°Tsc.¡± He smirked in response.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll start first,¡± I said with excitement.


    ¡°Truth or dare?¡± I asked with enthusiasm.


    ¡°Truth,¡± He responded calmly. That was quick, Frankie. You must really want me to know you better.


    ¡°What¡¯s your full name?¡± I suddenly realised how little I knew about his identity; all I knew was that he was Frank and worked as a butler.


    ¡°Frank Aeign Seymour,¡± he revealed casually.


    ¡°Aeign? I had no idea,¡± I eximed, genuinely surprised.


    ¡°Obviously,¡± he retorted sarcastically, causing me to roll my eyes.


    ¡°Aeign, it¡¯s rather charming. I think I¡¯ll start calling you that,¡± I teased, letting out a naughty giggle.


    ¡°No one addresses me by my second name,¡± he emphasised.


    ¡°I will,¡± I replied with a hint of defiance.


    ¡°My turn, my turn; ask me something,¡± I said, eagerly pointing at myself. He let out an annoyed sigh.


    ¡°Truth or dare,¡± he asked, clearly uninterested.


    ¡°Truth,¡± I grinned, ready for his inquiry.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you leave after Lucian granted you freedom?¡± he asked curiously.


    Ah, freedom. I had obtained it when I left my father¡¯s castle and turned my back on the throne. It wasn¡¯t Monsieur or Lucian who held me captive; my freedom was in my own hands. I could have escaped from MoonStone mansion long ago if I had wanted to.


    ¡°I simply didn¡¯t want to,¡± I replied casually. He stared at me momentarily before turning his attention back to the road.


    ¡°Now, my turn. Truth or dare?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Truth,¡± he responded.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I pondered, considering my question.


    ¡°Do you enjoy being a butler?¡± I inquired with genuine curiosity.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied briefly.


    ¡°Why?¡± I inquired further, eager to understand.


    He nced at me in silence.


    ¡°Do you really need a reason?¡± he asked with boredom.


    ¡°Of course! We¡¯re ying truth or dare,¡± I retorted, pouting vivaciously at him.


    He let out a sigh and finally revealed, ¡°It¡¯s because my ancestors have served the Reds for centuries. Continuing our family¡¯s legacy is both an honor and a responsibility.¡±


    Wow, his family¡¯s connection to the Reds spans generations. That¡¯s profound, bro. It means his ancestors have been butlers for generations, perhaps even reaching back to his great, great, great, great, great-grandfather.


    Back when I was still at home, I learned everything about the lineage and history of every alpha. It was my duty to know about all the great leaders, not just the current ones but also those from the past. I was aware that the Seymour line had a strong connection with the Reds, but I never imagined it would still continue to this day.


    ¡°Truth or dare?¡± he asked, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile. He finally understood the flow of the game.


    ¡°Truth,¡± I replied, though I felt a hint of unease underneath.


    ¡°Where did you learn archery?¡± he asked, and my smile quickly faded. Perhaps this game wasn¡¯t such a good idea after all. I couldn¡¯t answer any of his questions without revealing parts of my past. He nced at me as I hesitated to respond.


    ¡°It¡¯s called truth for a reason,¡± he stated matter-of-factly, waiting for my revtion.


    ¡°My father taught me,¡± I responded, my answer not entirely untrue but notpletely truthful either.


    ¡°He was a skilled marksman. I believe I¡¯ve inherited his talent,¡± I added, attempting to maintain an air of nonchnce. Memories flooded my mind of when my father and I were inseparable, training with bows and arrows. He affectionately called me Hawkeye. Despite all the ces and experiences I¡¯ve encountered, thoughts of home still brought a tear to my eye.


    I found myself thinking about how life would have been if I hadn¡¯t left. I felt regret as I acknowledged that I had been a coward, overwhelmed by the weight of expectations. My curiosity about the world beyond our kingdom led me to risk out, aiming for knowledge and experiences far from home.


    And so, I learned much, but now I grappled with the uncertainty of whether my actions had made me a rightful leader. I left my father and brother behind after my mother¡¯s passing, abandoning our packs. I couldn¡¯t face them, unable to show my face to those I cared about.


    Upon reaching the barracks, the game stopped, and my mood changed. Frank, always observant, noticed the shift and tried to keep a serious atmosphere. I chose to stay in the car while he collected the weapons with the other men.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt. I had been the one who wanted to y the game, yet now I found myself in a sour mood. Frank answered all my questions openly, while I only gave him brief and halfhearted responses.


    As I watched him inspecting each gun, I couldn¡¯t help but wish the ground would swallow me whole. For all these years, I had kept the truth from those I cared about, but now, for the first time, I felt nervous about the idea that they would discover the truth. I hadn¡¯t lied directly, but I had hidden the truth too.


    I wondered how Frank would react once he knew the whole story. Would he hate me for what I had done? I scoffed internally, realising he probably already did. It can¡¯t get any worse, right?N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

 Chapter 94: Hello, Sister

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Come on, please, stay a little longer,¡± Lucian pleaded, enveloping me in his warm embrace.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite so dramatic; after all, we share the same house,¡± I chuckled, beating him with a pillow. He closed his eyes, savouring the softness of his elegant silk pillow.


    ¡°But we¡¯re not living in the same room,¡± heined, sounding somewhat dissatisfied. I rolled my eyes; I had practically lived in his room for the past few days while he neglected his workpletely.


    We spent every moment together. Day and night, we did sex, intimately exploring and tasting each other¡¯s bodies. Recalling the events, it was enough to make my cheeks flush with a rosy shade. I truly felt connected to him, getting to know him on a deeper level.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Lucian, it¡¯s time for you to return to work; you have yourpany and your pack to lead,¡± I pulled him through his hand, trying my best to move him, but he seemed rooted to his bed.


    ¡°Just one more minute,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been saying that for the past three days. Come on, get up,¡± I insisted, and finally, he conceded, allowing me to pull him up.


    He gave me a tender kiss on my lips.


    ¡°Fine, you win,¡± he sighed, and I couldn¡¯t help but smile inwardly.


    Reluctantly leaving his room, we had breakfast together, and as he showered, I returned to my room.


    I couldn¡¯t stop grinning like a fool; my heart soared with happiness and contentment. Such joy was unfamiliar to me, yet it felt so right.


    It felt strangely empty as I entered my room, and I missed him terribly. Absolutely sounded clingy, I scolded myself, considering he was only a few steps away. Nevertheless, I refrained from disturbing him; he needed his focus.


    I sighed in bliss as I sank into the hot tub, the warmth soothing my tired body. Lucian was like a hungry beast, and trying to keep up with him had left me exhausted and sore. The hot water gently soothed my muscles, coaxing them into a state of rxation.


    Before I knew it, I had already dozed off in the tub. After my refreshing bath, I dressed and decided to take a leisurely walk. Lucian and I were growing closer, and he now trusted me enough to wander without the constant supervision of his men. No one was shadowing my every move, giving me a sense of freedom.


    It turned out that Lucian¡¯s actions were just a yful attempt to tease me. In reality, there was no need to worry about my safety within his luxurious estate. The mansion and the entire North were heavily protected and guarded, making it a stronghold of safety.


    Taking advantage of the snowfall, I wandered through his garden, which resembled a beautiful, enchanted forest. Wrapped in a warm jacket, I weed the wintryndscape more than I ever thought possible. The chilly breeze, surprisingly, brought a sense offort, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel like I was growing ustomed to this ce. Unexpectedly, the North was beginning to feel like home.


    After my leisurely stroll, I returned to the mansion and noticed that the interior surprisingly appeared to have fewer guards. The gates and perimeters were filled with vignt eyes before, but now they seemed scarce. Perhaps the guards were away for training, or maybe Lucian had grown tired of his amusing game.


    As I prepared to head back to my room, my mind recalled the peculiar sounds I had heard before. A memory pulled me to the other end of the hall, where the mysterious door had caught my curiosity. With no guards to stop me, I approached the door, my pulse quickening. The silence was deafening, unlike the chaotic noises from my previous encounter.


    cing my ear against the door, I held my breath, but there was no trace of sound. With nervousness, I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembling. Slowly, I turned it, and the door creaked open, setting my heart pounding in my chest.


    Yet, when the door revealed its interior, there was nothing out of the ordinary. It appeared to be an ordinary, unused guest room, void of any presence. Disappointed, I sighed, conceding that perhaps my imagination had yed tricks on me that day or my paranoia had led me to hear imaginary voices.


    When I turned to leave, my eyes caught sight of a set of small wooden stairs hidden in a dark corner. Something about those stairs felt strangely familiar. I realised that I had been here before. This was the ce I had spent that unsettling night inside the ss cage on the day I arrived.


    Intrigued yet anxious, I approached the stairs once again, feeling like I had wandered into a suspenseful horror film. Each creak of the stairs underfoot sent shivers down my spine, and the dim lighting added to the eerie atmosphere. The stairs led me down to what appeared to be a storage room of sorts.


    Inside, numerous wooden baskets were strewn away, each bearing the word ¡°fragile¡± in bold letters. The air was heavy with dust, causing my nose to ache slightly. The room appeared to hide secrets, hinting at untold mysteries, leaving me with an unsettling feeling that I had stumbled on something unexpected and cryptic.


    I approached the light, and there I saw the ss cage. Memories of my difort rushed back; if my back could talk, it would have cursed me endlessly for putting it through such a painful experience.


    But what made me stop in my tracks was the sight of a figure inside the cage, one that felt chillingly familiar. Her brown hair, so simr to mine in its straightness and that delicate silhouette, I knew them all too well.


    It couldn¡¯t be possible. I had almost convinced myself that my ears had deceived me, but now, standing here, I had to face the truth. It was her voice I had heard that day. The very voice that had filled my life with fear and hatred.


    Denial surged inside my mind, too scared to acknowledge what was right in front of my eyes. How on earth could she be here? Was she being held captive by Lucian? Did her father have any knowledge of her whereabouts?


    When she turned and saw me, she froze, mirroring my own shock. Her appearance was vastly different from what I remembered. Her usual morous and fashion-forward vibe was gone, reced by a tired, messy version of herself. Puffy eyes, messy hair, no trace of makeup, and unfamiliar clothing wrapped her petite figure.


    In a moment of mixed emotions, her shocked expression turned into a smile, a smile that seemed to carry both relief and a teasing mischievousness. She even waved slightly as if we were old acquaintances reuniting after a long time.


    ¡°Hello, sister,¡± her familiar voice greeted me eerily.

 Chapter 95: Surprise Revelation

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Hello, my dear sister.¡±


    Her face bore that familiar, wry smile.


    ¡°Vienna?¡± A gasp escaped my lips, and astonishment engraved across my face.


    Indeed, the voice I had heard earlier was hers. My ears had not yed tricks on me, after all.


    ¡°What has brought you to this ce?¡± I inquired, my words promptly escaping my lips.


    My eyes looked across her figure, taking in every detail. She seemed changed, stripped of her usual charm. Fatigue andck of sleep had left marks under her eyes, her previously carefully styled hair now appeared dishevelled, her lips had lost their colour and were dry, and her outfit was no longer the branded style she usually wore.


    And I wondered why she came here looking for me.


    ¡°I had the intention of having a conversation with you, but your lover has kept me trapped in these walls,¡± she replied quickly, her sarcasm remaining intact despite her obviously unfavourable situation.


    ¡°Lucian?¡± My raised eyebrow revealed my confusion. Why hadn¡¯t he told me about this?


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trapped in this cursed ss cage for the past two days. Yet, my detention has been extended for one week and two more days,¡± Vienna exined, emphasising her words as she stretched her slender body.


    I¡¯ve harboured a deep resentment towards Vienna for her evil deeds against me and the pain she had caused my mother. Yet, despite that, as I see her struggling in this situation, I can¡¯t help but feel a twinge of pity. It must have been incredibly difficult for her, she¡¯s used to a life of luxury, and now she¡¯s trapped like this. I understand how terrible it is being locked up; I¡¯ve experienced being in that ss cage myself. And being Lucian¡¯s prisoner isn¡¯t exactly the most enjoyable experience.


    ¡°Why?¡± I faltered, struggling to understand her motive.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious that I wanted to talk with you, duh?¡± she retorted, rolling her eyes in exasperation.


    ¡°Why?¡± I repeated, my patience wearing thin as she avoided getting direct to the point. What drove her to leave hervish lifestyle and endure this imprisonment just to speak with me?


    ¡°I¡¯ve learned a little intriguing information about you,¡± she hinted, her smirk growing wider. My brow furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°What¡¯s the important matter you want to share with me, Vienna?¡± I demanded. I was running out of patience as she avoided getting straight to the point.


    ¡°We are, in fact, sisters, surprise!¡± She dered, making a grand gesture as she revealed her bombshell, a triumphant smile appearing on her lips.


    Nheless, my expression remained unchanged, and my eyebrows still furrowed in confusion.


    ¡°Vienna, you should return to your father. Lucian won¡¯t spare you any mercy here,¡± I brushed aside her revtion. Knowing Lucian¡¯s vindictive nature and her connection to the man responsible for his mother¡¯s death, staying here wouldn¡¯t be safe for her.


    ¡°I will plead with Lucian to let you go. Your presence isn¡¯t what he wants,¡± I went on. Despite Vienna¡¯s evil actions, I recognized that she had been misled. She had grown up surrounded by servants and material wealth butcked the parental guidance she needed. My emotions had moved beyond seeking revenge; while I couldn¡¯t forgive her actions, I aimed to move forward and create a new chapter in my life without her and Monsieur.


    ¡°Hello? Did you miss what I said?¡± She raised an eyebrow, her tone showing surprise.


    To be honest, I heard her words very clearly. It had be amon thing, with guests and other servantsparing Vienna and me all the time. This constantparison bothered Vienna; beingpared to a mere ve was deeply offensive to her. But I was puzzled about the current situation. Why did she choose to disclose this information?


    ¡°Vienna, we¡¯re in the middle of a war, not a time for jokes,¡± I responded, dismissing her words.


    ¡°Jokes? Do you really think I¡¯ve gone through all this difficulty and lived in this terrible ce just to make jokes?¡± She asked, sounding like she doubted my cleverness.


    ¡°Come on, Cers, you¡¯re not clueless,¡± she enunciated with a smirk, using my nickname.


    ¡°Go back to where you live, Vienna,¡± I said again, firmly ignoring her words.


    ¡°You¡¯re afraid, Cers. Afraid to ept the truth,¡± She retorted defiantly, emphasising the painful truth.


    ¡°What are you trying to emphasise? I¡¯m afraid of what?¡± I snapped back, and my frustration was apparent in my clenched teeth.


    ¡°The truth itself,¡± She smiled more, mysterious and unsettling.


    I controlled my reaction, keeping a calm expression, and decided not to show any reaction, maybe because I didn¡¯t want to give her the satisfaction of seeing my reaction or perhaps because I didn¡¯t want to deal with her provocations.


    ¡°I can feel your fear. The fear that the Monster you hate and fear that he might actually be your father,¡± She seemed to enjoy saying this, repeating her earlier statement.


    ¡°My father is gone. His heart was ripped from his chest violently. He¡¯s not a monster,¡± I expressed with intensity. But my defiance only seemed to amuse her more.


    ¡°Really? Hiding your fear behind strong denial? That¡¯s always been your attitude, clear cowardice,¡± she taunted her words like sparks.


    ¡°I¡¯m not denying anything. Your lies don¡¯t affect me anymore. This attempt to upset me won¡¯t work,¡± I dered, my firm decision was obvious in my fiery stare, trying to put an end to this pointless conversation.


    ¡°Believe me, Cers, I¡¯m not enjoying revealing this truth either. The truth is too grave for both of us,¡± She said, lifting an eyebrow, and her words felt genuine. I knew how she felt, her displeasure, her bitterness.


    Why would she create such false stories? The answer was unclear, hidden in anticipation. Her statement made me doubt, shaking the very core of my beliefs.


    ¡°Surely, you can¡¯t ignore the strong resemnce between us,¡± she pointed to both of us, her gaze moving between our faces.


    ¡°Why do you keep up this act?¡± I asked, my voice mixed with frustration, exasperation, and disbelief.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to win this war, Vienna. Your hopes will be in vain,¡± my voice grew more intense, full of resentment.


    ¡°Darling, this goes beyond the battle,¡± she replied, stepping closer, only a ss barrier between us.


    ¡°This is about your origin. That¡¯s what I¡¯m revealing. You¡¯re in denial,¡± Vienna¡¯s grin widened, her eyes locking onto mine intensely.


    ¡°Why should you be the one to tell me this? The so-called truth came from the woman who hated my existence. Do you expect me to believe you? Funny, isn¡¯t it?¡± I shot back quickly, my words carrying irritation and anger.


    ¡°Because this revtion doesn¡¯t just affect you. Deception has affected both our lives,¡± she shot back, her re getting stronger. Her taunting demeanour shifted into a serious one, a look I knew well, a face of deep-rooted anger.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m happy? The same blood that flows in my veins also flows in yours. Yet, despite that, you¡¯ll forever be a servant,¡± she retorted, and I couldn¡¯t help but scoff.


    ¡°Indeed, My Lady, I am and will always be a servant,¡± I repeated her words, but she gave me a sarcastic smile in response.


    ¡°Half-breed wench, you¡¯ll never match up to me,¡± she blurted out, and her words carried a painful sting as I absorbed them.


    ¡°Oh, I have no intention of trying to be like you, Vienna,¡± I rified.


    ¡°Even if you tried, you¡¯d never be my match,¡± she replied, putting emphasis on each word.


    A smirk formed on my lips, my outer appearance calm, even though emotions seethed inside. The storm of feelings was hard to define. The flood of revtions weighed me down, a truth threatening to break my inner being.


    ¡°Is my existence threatening you, sister?¡± I teased, shifting the situation between us.


    She clenched her jaw, her fist hitting the ss barrier angrily as my words hit a nerve.


    ¡°If your words hold any truth, and I¡¯m indeed older than you, then I should have a legitimate right to inherit the throne, shouldn¡¯t I?¡± I purposely said it to hit a sensitive spot, and I seeded.


    ¡°Even if my father¡¯s blood flows in your veins, it¡¯s still mixed with dirt. Half-breed wench!¡± She punched the ss separating us, but it didn¡¯t budge or tremble. I suppose Lucian really invested in constructing this cage.


    ¡°My feelings are hurt, dear sister,¡± I pretended to look hurt, a sarcastic smile ying on my lips.

 Chapter 96: Everyone Is A Liar

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°So, do you finally ept the truth now? We are, in fact, sisters. The man you once called your father, a dishonest figure; your mother, a creator of lies; your close friend, a spreader of lies too; even your beloved Lucian lied to you. All of them lied to you,¡± Vienna mocked, her expression showing a fake sense of victory.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s not me who¡¯s in a sad existence. Your entire world, appearing full of love and kindness, is just a cover to hide their lies in the shadows. Everything you thought was the truth is falling apart, like a fake idea you believed about your own identity. A mistake you took as truth,¡± she added, her words hitting me like arrows. They struck me hard, making me speechless. It felt like I had been pped in the face. She looked satisfied, seeing the effect of her words on me.


    ¡°Your life is a lie, Cercei. You¡¯re not the innocent servant you think you are. You¡¯re the daughter of the man you despise so much. The man who killed your supposed father, and now you¡¯re the sister of the woman you hate the most.¡± A burst of loudughter apanied Vienna¡¯s words.


    ¡°Stop this!¡± I yelled at her, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, a painful way to deal with my emotional turmoil.


    ¡°Deep down, you always knew this. But you stubbornly chose to ignore it. You wrapped yourself in the lies you created. Fear obviously crept into you, threatening to crush you down and stopping you from epting the truth. But now, everything is clear. Our father revealed his secrets to me,¡± Vienna said, and tears welled up in my eyes.


    My breath caught in my throat, and I suddenly felt like I couldn¡¯t breathe. It¡¯s as if there¡¯s a lump in my throat.


    ¡°Enough!¡± I shouted, my frustration filling the air. I fell to my knees, covering my ears with shaking hands, unable to bear the attack any longer. My pretension fell apart, and the truth gradually destroyed my strength.


    She was right. My whole existence was a lie. All the lies came together to deceive me. Monsieur is my father.


    Throughout my life, doubt lingered in the background. I questioned the simrities, the constant whispers of resemnce between Vienna and me. Those whispers grew into undeniable proof of our connection. As time passed, the resemnce grew stronger, turning us into mirrors of each other.


    I ignored it, or rather I kept denying it, as the idea seemed doubtful. Why should it be true? We have different parents, or at least that¡¯s what I believed, misguided as it was.


    I wished I could confidently oppose Vienna¡¯s statement and stand firm against her words. Vienna might be capable of many cruel deeds, but lying isn¡¯t one of them. She takes pleasure in sharing harsh realities, delivering them without hesitation. She was brutally honest,cking empathy. So, why would she make up a lie, especially about something so sensitive?


    Unfortunately, her motives weren¡¯t about personal gain. Her revtions didn¡¯t benefit her.


    ¡°Believe me, I take no pleasure in saying this,¡± she said, her words hitting me hard, making tears stream down my face even as I tried to hold back.


    ¡°Of course, at first, I med Daddy. Out of all the choices, he ended up with your mother,¡± she stated, her voice dripping with disgust as if the thought had sickened her.


    ¡°But it¡¯s already done. There¡¯s no way I can alter the past. Just like there¡¯s no way for you to change what you are,¡± she added a word with clear mockery in her tone.


    ¡°So, you¡¯vee all this distance to meet your sister?¡± I inquired, taking a deep breath and attempting to regain myposure.


    ¡°Oh no, meeting you wasn¡¯t my main goal,¡± her response was cold.


    ¡°In that case, what do you want from me? Should I embrace you? Show affection to your father? Funny!¡± I snapped back, and my voice filled with disgust. Sheughed immediately in response.


    ¡°Those actions wouldn¡¯t change destiny,¡± I said, my voice shaking between sobs.


    ¡°You¡¯ve lived with lies all your life. Can¡¯t you, just once, face the painful truth?¡± Her words had a bored tone.


    ¡°If you believe this conversation will grant you an upper hand in our conflict, you¡¯re wrong. You¡¯re already on the losing end,¡± I rose from the dusty ground, feeling the nerve hardened under my firm grasp.


    ¡°I just wanted to bring out the truth,¡± she shrugged casually.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Just to see you fall apart, your illusions shattering into pieces, your tears marking the end of your fake life. It gives me great satisfaction,¡± she grinned, her expression turning sinister. Looking at her, a disturbing truth dawned on me; her cruelty, like her father¡¯s, ran in her veins. I don¡¯t share their blood. I am not wicked like them.


    ¡°Does this revtion make you happy?¡±


    ¡°Yes, worth the suffering I endured for two weeks,¡± she gave me a smug look, and suddenly a victorious smile appeared on her face.


    ¡°The idea that we could share even a drop of blood is disgusting,¡± I dered, stepping closer; she did the same, reciprocating my action.


    ¡°I ampletely different from you and your evil father,¡± I emphasised, letting my words carry weight.


    ¡°I should be the one saying that,¡± She tilted her head.


    ¡°You¡¯re the greatest disgrace to our family, being connected to you is a reputation ruin. Your tainted blood is tarnishing our name. You¡¯re weak,¡± she said deliberately, attempting to humiliate me.


    On instinct, I pressed the red button on the control panel. With a hiss, the ss partition slid open, yet our eye contact remained unbroken. We continued to gaze at each other with strong intensity.


    Although our physical features bear a resemnce, our eyes fundamentally differ. My green irises are vastly different from her amber eyes.


    She walked out of the ss cage with a deliberate step, never breaking our eyes.


    ¡°I guess fighting to be a sessor is the proper way to seize the throne,¡± she said and smirked, stepping out.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather endure being a ve forever than take a throne stained with blood,¡± I retorted with a sharp edge to my voice.


    ¡°All thrones are built on a foundation of bloodshed,¡± she replied, her words sharp. Her eyes changed colour, her nails grew longer, and the bones beneath her skin cracked as she transformed into a wolf.


    In response, I transformed into my wolf form too. Growls filled the air as we circled each other, eyes locked. Strangely, even in our wolf forms, the simrity between us was undeniable.


    I don¡¯t believe her intentions stop at merely finding satisfaction in my downfall. Beneath the surface of our sibling banter, hidden motives lurk. I¡¯m sceptical of the story she delivers. Even if there¡¯s a shared bloodline, the idea of sisterhood feels empty, like an illusion.


    I¡¯ve never been and never will be, not even a little, not at all. I¡¯m not trying to appear virtuous, but I am certainly not evil, not one of them. Remus is not my father, my real father has been gone for a long time. I rejected the darkness she symbolises. Our connections are lies, and our origins are distorted.


    Vienna is right. I¡¯ve been deceiving myself. This revtion has altered everything. Everything I knew about myself and the people around me was a lie. I care deeply for my father; he¡¯s the one who moulded me into the person I am today. To realise that I¡¯m not indeed his daughter is a painful blow. I just realised no one ever told me we looked alike. People would mention how I resembled my mother and had her eyes but never my father¡¯s. I didn¡¯t notice them until now.


    Everyone was a liar.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.

 Chapter 97: Her Wrath

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    In my wolf form, my previously unclear emotions be less intense, except for the anger, which bes a lot stronger and almost a hundred times more powerful.


    A strong desire for violence coursed through me, making me think about hurting and tormenting others, and these thoughts kept echoing in my mind.


    Usually, I attempt to hold back this strong desire, but at this moment, this irresistible force has control over me.


    Without hesitation, Iunched an attack on Vienna. My long ws were like sharp knives, effortlessly slicing through her skin and fur, revealing my overwhelming thirst for revenge. The pursuit of revenge can truly transform someone into a powerful fighter. Before she could mount a defence, I seized her neck in my jaws, swiftly piercing her flesh with my teeth. I experienced the sensation of her blood trickling, moistening her furry neck, and even the taste of her blood touched my tongue.


    Her painful cries for mercy only made me feel more satisfied, a strange satisfaction that made my eyes widen and my sanity slip away, something I couldn¡¯t ignore. Strangely, I feel insensible, which I find interesting.


    Feeling at my lowest for a long time, now it¡¯s my chance to rise. If I am indeed the child of that evil Alpha, I might as well live up to his name.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± I heard the word, distant like a memory, scarcely audible.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± came another voice, but I turned deaf. I heard my name repeatedly, but I kept ignoring it, I continued hurting Vienna. Life is strange; one day, you have control over everything, and the next day, you¡¯re just a pawn, controlled by someone else.


    To end her life now, I could bite her deeply, tearing her throat apart and stopping her heart. Or, when we turn back to humans, I could dig out her heart from her chest like what her father did to my dad. To make it even more dramatic, I could send her darkened heart to Monsieur and put it in a box with a heartfelt message for Father¡¯s Day. It would be a big show, although he might not like it. But my goal isn¡¯t to make him happy but to shatter him emotionally.


    I wonder how he¡¯ll react, finding a gift with his beloved daughter¡¯s heart, sent by her eldest daughter. My sense of irony has grown a lot. Indeed, my life is filled with a nasty sense of humour.


    ¡°Cercei, stop!¡± The voice was Lucian¡¯s. Suddenly, everything snapped back. It was like waking up from a trance. I let go of Vienna and stepped back. She was bleeding a lot, her fur covered in blood, and she was barely conscious.


    She transformed back into her human form. Her pale skin showed the wounds from my bites and scratches, evidence of our brutal fight. Lucian came closer, putting his coat over her trembling body.


    I stepped away from them, quickly changing back to my human form and picking up a piece of cloth from the ground to cover myself. I fell to my knees, eyes on Lucian as he checked Vienna¡¯s pulse.


    Grief overwhelmed me. I covered my face with my hands until I felt a warm hug from behind. It was Maria. I clung to her arms, tears streaming down my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I cried hysterically, my breath catching in my throat. My lungs struggled to provide me with enough air. I found myself choking on my own saliva as I incessantly uttered those words.


    I wish for everyone to understand the depth of my remorse. Behind Lucian, Frank stood, holding an additional cloth to drape over Vienna.


    Maria tried to calm my emotions, but my pain remained dense. If only I could say that I didn¡¯t mean to do what I did, but the truth is clear, I gave in to my inner anger and fought violently with Vienna. This harsh reality bothered me; I knew exactly what I was doing, and yet I continued. After such behavior, I can only conclude that I¡¯m truly a hideous creature.


    ¡°Please, please, I¡¯m sorry, I regret it, I regret it,¡± these repeated words came from my mouth with such intensity that it made me feel nauseous.


    With Vienna covered in fabric, Lucian held her, showing the sadness that surrounded us now.


    ¡°Vienna, I¡¯m so sorry, I¡¯m sorry!¡± I cried out, even though she was probably unconscious and couldn¡¯t hear me. I hoped she was just hurt and she wasn¡¯t dead.


    No, I begged inside, she couldn¡¯t be dead, could she? I repeated the thought over and over out loud as if saying it could change what happened.


    Maria held me in her arms, trying to calm my racing heart. I held onto her tightly, a lifeline in my sea of sorrow.


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead. She¡¯s not dead,¡± I said to myself, looking forfort from the walls as if my words could change reality.


    ¡°Hush now, she¡¯ll make it,¡± she said, pulling me close, her touch a safe haven. Maria¡¯s gentle but heavy voice helped me feel a brief relief.


    I needed to believe it, to push away the fear that was trying to engulf me.


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead, right?¡± I inquired, my gaze fixed on the pool of blood on the ground. It couldn¡¯t possibly signify her life ending, could it?


    But Maria looked away, her expression changing to pity, concern, and a bit of fear. Silence hung in the air, and it was maddening.


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead, right?¡± I pressed Maria, wanting an answer that would ease my heart.


    Still, she didn¡¯t answer. Her eyes held unsaid truths and uncertain futures, and she couldn¡¯t speak as obviously she couldn¡¯t guarantee that Vienna could survive.


    ¡°She¡¯s not, right?¡± I repeated again, my voice strained, the words bouncing off the cold walls.


    As her silence continued, I stood up, letting go of her embrace because her sympathy was making me feel overwhelmed by emotions.


    ¡°Cercei, please,¡± Maria called out, but I moved away more, afraid that my inner storm would affect both of us.


    What if? The question hung there, distressing and unanswered. What if my recklessness took Vienna¡¯s life?Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Self-me surged through me. ¡°What if she dies?¡± I said, my voice cracking, each word tearing me apart.


    ¡°Lucian has the best doctors and¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll never forgive myself,¡± Maria tried tofort me, mentioning Lucian and the doctors, but I interrupted her, admitting a heavy truth that felt like a shroud.


    ¡°Cercei¡­¡± Maria¡¯s voice shook, a mix of sympathy and sadness, trying to reach me.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a killer,¡± I said, my voice shaky. I wanted to deny the monster inside me.


    But my anxiety pushed her attempts away. ¡°I¡¯m not like him,¡± I trembled, wanting to break free from a dark legacy.


    Maria came closer, trying to bridge the gap, but my fear made me recoil. ¡°Don¡¯te near me,¡± I said, my voice a mix of fear and longing. The fear of hurting her or losing control felt like a looming shadow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you,¡± I whispered, reminding myself of my intentions. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt anyone. I don¡¯t want to kill anyone. I¡¯m not a killer.¡±


    Tears streamed down my face, a mix of desperation and fear, a suffocating storm trapped inside my heart, making it hard to breathe.


    An unsettling heaviness settled on me as if the air itself had turned heavy. Breathing became difficult, and my breaths became shallow. The world blurred, sounds mixed into chaos, and my senses lost touch with reality.


    Maria rushed to my side, shaking her head, and my consciousness began to fade. Darkness approached swiftly, like the fluttering of a moth¡¯s wing.


    ¡°Cercei¡­.¡± Maria¡¯s voice became a distant whisper, thest trace of the waking world before everything plunged into darkness.

 Chapter 98: Smitten Fucker

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°She already knew the truth,¡± I expressed, feeling devastated after seeing Cercei¡¯s pain.


    Sensing Frank¡¯s intense gaze on me, I continued.


    ¡°I had failed to notice she reached the ss cage, and Vienna revealed the entire truth to her,¡± I stared at the ss walls before us. Tubes were attached all over Vienna¡¯s unconscious body, and now her life relies on machines that nobody can guarantee she can survive.


    ¡°The truth was destined to reveal itself to her, sooner orter,¡± Frank exhaled with a mix of resignation and assertion.


    The truth had remained shrouded for an extended period, but this manner of revtion was unforeseen.


    ¡°Cercei shouldn¡¯t have been informed this way,¡± I murmured in subdued tones.


    ¡°But she did, and you can¡¯t change that,¡± Frank emphasised the painful truth.


    Indeed, she was, and her self-control crumbled. She gave in to her emotions, which is understandable considering the hardships she had faced. In aparable scenario, the oue could have been far graver for anyone, including myself.


    Cercei had exceeded the limits she had set for herself, revealing the strength and influence she had been trying hard to hide. Now, her sister¡¯s life hung on the edge.


    Vienna¡¯s fragile state between life and death didn¡¯t dominate my mind. It was Cercei¡¯s predicament that bothered me so much. She would never bounce back; forgiving herself would be impossible if Vienna didn¡¯t survive.


    I had already foreseen that this event could happen at any moment; however, the painful revtion had left her speechless. The oues of her actions had taken her aback, and regret clung to her as she asked forgiveness, repeating the words ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± like a constant echo.


    ¡°How is she doing?¡± I asked Frank, inquiring about Cercei¡¯s condition.


    A few hours passed, she gave in to her overwhelming emotions andpsed into unconsciousness.


    ¡°She¡¯s resting now. Maria is with her,¡± Frank¡¯s reassurance eased my overwhelming anxiety. She needed this rest after the intense fight and inner turmoil she had endured.


    ¡°The truth appears to have deeply affected her,¡± Frank contemted. Undoubtedly. The man she had held a deep grudge against for the past few years turned out to be her biological father, the very person who had killed her presumed father and caused harm to her mother.


    ¡°And what about her mother? Has she been informed?¡± He inquired instantly.


    Emilia travelled worldwide, strategically sabotaging Remus¡¯s resources, including his empire. I refrained from getting involved, recognizing her need for revenge as part of her healing process.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Not at this moment,¡± I replied in a hushed tone. While dealing with the task of saving Vienna from death, informing Emilia was still on hold.


    ¡°How will she react when she wakes up?¡± Frank pondered.


    She might be deeply shaken up. She could feel anger or even go into denial. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to voice my own thoughts, understanding how devastated Cercei was at discovering the truth.


    ¡°She might unleash chaos,¡± I predicted. Her anger could be aimed at everyone involved in hiding the truth from her, possibly even directed at me. She had just started to trust me recently, and this revtion shattered that foundation.


    ¡°You should inform Emilia without dy; she¡¯s the one who can provide exnations to her daughter,¡± Frank¡¯s advice was indeed sensible.


    I was hesitant to interrupt Emilia¡¯s mission, but Frank¡¯s advice was brilliant. Cercei deserves an exnation, a deep understanding that only her mother could provide.


    In this critical moment, Emilia¡¯s presence is important. As much as I¡¯d want to be the one providingfort by her side, I knew she wouldn¡¯t be pleased to see me. It was the sad truth I¡¯d epted. I would probably feel the same way if I were in her position.


    Yet, I had to do it, and I had to protect her from the truth. It wasn¡¯t my ce to reveal them, and I had no right to do it. I deeply disdain Remus, and I want to destroy everything associated with him except Cercei.


    I can destroy everything except my beloved woman. I¡¯ll give her as much time as possible without making it seem like I¡¯m avoiding her.


    ¡°And what of her?¡± He gestured towards Vienna.


    ¡°She¡¯s done enough,¡± I responded casually. Since she arrived, I¡¯ve been working to crack her intentions, attempting to understand why she endured everything thrown at her. However, I became distracted as I spent more time with Cercei.


    But now I understand. This was her goal from the start, to reveal the truth to Cercei. Her motives behind it? To witness her crumble, to drive a wedge between us, to divert our attention, or perhaps she¡¯s also wounded by the truth. After all, her beloved father, the man she respects and admires, is a rapist.


    Remus possesses a multitude of characteristics, but nobility is not among them. I suppose his evil deeds aren¡¯t something so surprising, yet they still carry a dramatic element.


    Thus, I don¡¯t me Emilia if she wants to be the one snapping his neck. Once we got his hands, she could have her little fun with them, but I will be the one who¡¯ll send him to hell.


    ¡°You n to kick Vienna immediately?¡± He asked once more. That is a brilliant suggestion.


    ¡°The moment she opens her eyes, I will,¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°What about Cercei?¡± Frank inquired.


    ¡°What about her?¡± I countered.


    ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll want that?¡± Frank interjected abruptly.


    ¡°Well, she certainly gave her a good beating,¡± I chuckled. She was indeed my woman. I¡¯ve always known she had more than what she allowed people to see. She¡¯s powerful, and she¡¯s untamed when ites to fighting. The moment she learns to control it, she¡¯d be unstoppable.


    ¡°And she lost consciousness while repeating ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡¯,¡± Frank reiterated. His point is valid. Cercei has consistently shownpassion, and I¡¯m certain this isn¡¯t something she¡¯d wanted. Even if she holds resentment towards Vienna and doesn¡¯t acknowledge her as a sibling, she wouldn¡¯t want me to cast her half-sibling onto the streets in a vulnerable state.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see when she wakes up,¡± I¡¯ll let her decide everything.


    Suddenly, Frank chuckled. I looked at him in confusion, brows furrowing.


    ¡°What makes youugh, huh?¡± I red at him.


    ¡°Your girlfriend just copsed from guilt after nearly killing someone, and you¡¯re standing here proud of what she did?¡± Frank snapped at me, grinning.


    ¡°I could hardly contain my admiration; her behavior was truly remarkable,¡± I admitted with a smile. Frank shook his head in exasperation.


    ¡°Smitten fucker,¡± He mumbled.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain you¡¯d respond simrly if it were Maria,¡± I remarked. He stared at me, taken aback. I smirked. Yes, I¡¯m aware of your little affair, you fucker.


    ¡°Smitten fucker,¡± I echoed his mutter with a smirk. He simply shot me a sharp nce.

 Chapter 99: Revealing The Truth

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Even with my eyes tightly shut, the intensity of the lights still manages to prate, illuminating my consciousness. In serene surroundings, voices blend into conversations, I can partly catch their words, which resemble an unclear murmur.


    ¡°Will she get better?¡± The concerned question carried my mother¡¯s gentle tone.


    ¡°Physically, she will heal, but emotionally, the journey might be difficult,¡± Maria¡¯s voice held both empathy and sadness.


    Slowly, I opened my eyes a little. A space of pure white surrounded me, the vast walls, curtains, and light, all in perfect harmony.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°Stay resting, Cers,¡± Maria quickly approached as I moved slightly, asking for my well-being. But I remained stubborn, ignoring her request and sitting up.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± I looked around, trying to understand where I was.


    ¡°You¡¯re still in Lucian¡¯s mansion,¡± Maria¡¯s reply was swift, but it puzzled me. Lucian¡¯s mansion? Yet this ce looked like a medical facility. Why am I shocked? Of course, having a small clinic inside his mansion would make sense.


    ¡°Mon Ch¨¦ri,¡± my mother¡¯s affectionate voice drew my focus toward her. My nce quickly shifted from Maria to my mother.


    She looked different now, her appearance not the usual gentle charm. With short hair and dressed in ck pants, a racerback shirt, and boots, she resembled one of Lucian¡¯s mysterious assassins. Is she following that path now?


    My lips quicklypressed into a tight line, a contrast to their previous warmth, as memories surged back. I recalled inflicting ruthless pain on Vienna, witnessing her vulnerable state between life and death, and the concealed truths she revealed to me, driving me to hurt her.


    On impulse, I pulled my arm away from Maria¡¯s grip and expressed my thoughts with a hint of sarcasm while staring at my mother.


    ¡°Want to tell me something?¡± I snapped at my mother.


    She was surprised by my distant response. This is the first time I¡¯ve ever spoken to my mother like this. She¡¯s raised me well, teaching me manners, and I¡¯ve always held her in high regard. This side of her is unexpected. Maybe I should have seen iting, but I was probably blinded by my perfect image of her as a saint who can do no wrong, who can¡¯t even tell a lie.


    Sensing the tension, Maria stepped aside and quickly went out, allowing my mother and me a moment to talk privately. The door closed, creating a barrier between us and the outside world as Maria left.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Ch¨¨ri,¡± my mother¡¯s words held emotion as she reached out for a hug. But I remained distant, not returning the gesture. Eventually, she let go, realising my rigid stance.


    My mother¡¯s gaze was brimming with maternal affection, attempting to establish a connection with mine, yet my anger formed an imprable wall. The woman I held in high respect, with a virtuous image, had hidden several lies. Love and trust now lingered under the shadow of my overwhelming anger toward her.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry,¡± she began, tears glistening in her eyes, a disy of vulnerability in distinction to my firm behavior.


    ¡°I deeply apologise for not telling you the truth, Ch¨¨ri,¡± her voice trembled as tears flowed. I felt the urge to reach out to her, hold her close, to offerfort in her distress. But my pride held me back. I couldn¡¯t allow myself to be vulnerable; I needed answers to my questions.


    ¡°Remus,¡± she mentioned his name as though it held all the answers, as though he was the source of all the me.


    ¡°He instructed me to stay silent, both me and Henr¨¬. He didn¡¯t want the world to know about the consequences of his actions,¡± she sniffled.


    ¡°He raped me,¡± she confessed in a hushed tone. That revtion hit me hard. She lowered her head after admitting it, avoiding my eyes.


    ¡°He forced himself on me when he was in heat. I was helpless. Despite being a warrior, my strength couldn¡¯t match that of an Alpha royal. And even if I could, the repercussions would have been even worse,¡± she swallowed hard.


    ¡°A monthter, I discovered I was pregnant with you. He sent me away to hide me, and hemanded his butler to apany me and tend to my needs. It was during that time that Henr¨¬ and I fell in love,¡± a faint smile crossed her lips at the memory of my father. Even now, the love they shared lingered in her heart.


    ¡°After giving birth, we had to return to the mansion. In exchange for your safety and life, Remus made us his personal ves. I agreed, driven by my love for you. Regardless of the circumstances of your birth, I love you, and Henr¨¬ does too,¡± my Mom revealed with a rush of emotion. I reached for her trembling hands, our eyes locking.


    ¡°I suppose I was also terrified and in denial. I believed that by keeping the truth from you, I could somehow erase the pain he inflicted on me. I thought that the love between Henr¨¬ and me would be enough for you,¡± she added, her voice carrying a mixture of regret and sadness.


    ¡°It is enough,¡± I responded gently, my heart tearing apart for her. Now both of us were shedding tears.


    ¡°Your love means everything to me, and I am deeply grateful that you¡¯ve given it to me,¡± I confessed, my tears matching hers.


    ¡°And Mam¨¤, I¡¯m sorry for being so self-centered, for not understanding. I had no idea. I¡¯m sorry you had to endure all of that,¡± I pulled her into a tight embrace, offering the most lovingfort. She cried against my shoulder, releasing years of pent-up emotions.


    I had been self-absorbed, even doubting her at times.


    ¡°I¡¯m the one who should be apologising,¡± she wept, and Iforted her by rubbing her back.


    ¡°I spent all these years lying to you because of my own shorings. I was foolish to think that I could rewrite the past,¡± her words carried a weight of remorse.


    ¡°Shh,¡± I soothed her, patting her back. If anyone was acting selfishly, it was me.


    She pulled away from our embrace and stared at me. Her hands cupped my cheeks gently.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not afraid anymore. Lucian helped me. I¡¯m finally going to achieve the revenge I once yearned for. I¡¯ll avenge Henr¨¬, I¡¯ll avenge you, and I¡¯ll avenge myself,¡± she dered firmly.


    I gave a bitter smile upon hearing Lucian¡¯s name.


    ¡°Lucian helped you?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°He made me realise that facing our fears is better than avoiding them forever. I¡¯ve spent far too long running away,¡± she exined. Her smile was meant to reassure me, but I couldn¡¯t muster one in return.


    ¡°Don¡¯t harbour anger towards Lucian, Cercei. It was me who instructed everyone to remain silent,¡± she held my hands, attempting to rify.


    ¡°I forgive you, Mam¨¤,¡± I replied, squeezing her hand.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not entirely convinced,¡± I admitted.


    ¡°Cers,¡± Mam¨¤ spoke my name softly.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just a secret he kept from me. He kept Vienna imprisoned for weeks. Do you know about that?¡± I questioned. She shook her head slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯m certain Lucian had his reasons¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It may not be his secret to tell, nor is it his secret to keep,¡± I interrupted with conviction, cutting off my mother¡¯s words.


    I¡¯m sorry, Mam¨¤, but I don¡¯t know if things can return to how they were before. In truth, I¡¯m uncertain about what actions to take. While I may not hold any affection for Monsieur and Vienna, and I might even despise them, the undeniable fact remains that we are bound by blood. The truth was concealed from me, but I won¡¯t shy away from it. They are my family, and this conflict muste to an end.

 Chapter 100: I Deserve An Explanation

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°He had no involvement in this matter; it¡¯s entirely on me,¡± my mother attempted to rify once more.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, he¡¯s deeply involved in this,¡± I interjected firmly.


    ¡°And why do you consistently stand up for him?¡± Irritation tinged my words. Lucian garnered all of her approval, leaving me with nothing. I¡¯m not aiming to be childish,  but her constant support for him is incredibly irritating.


    ¡°I¡¯m merely suggesting that Lucian is an admirable Alpha. He carried out every task I assigned to him,¡± she asserted. I couldn¡¯t help but scoff. Right, the King of the North obediently executed her everymand. The roles seem blurred now, I can¡¯t quite tell who¡¯s serving whom.


    ¡°Mam¨¤, I¡¯ve already forgiven you. Can we end this conversation?¡± I appealed.


    ¡°And what are your intentions now, Cers?¡± Her tone shifted to seriousness. I mped my lips shut. The truth is, I have no idea.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know,¡± I responded candidly.


    ¡°Please refrain from rash actions. Let us n things properly. I acknowledge the impact of what you¡¯ve discovered; it concerns your very identity. But please, don¡¯t engage in anything reckless,¡± my mother urged. A hollowugh escaped me.


    ¡°When have I ever acted recklessly?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve been engaging in impulsive behaviour recently,¡± I added hastily, inadvertently revealing the information I¡¯d gathered. Her eyebrows arched. Of course, Lucian had casually mentioned that he¡¯s practically be best pals with my mother now.


    ¡°I need some rest,¡± I quickly added, wrapping up the conversation. She took a deep breath before nodding. A subtle smile appeared on her lips as she tucked me in.


    ¡°Rest well, Ch¨¦ri. I need to get back to my mission. I won¡¯t be away for too long.¡± She pressed a kiss on my forehead. I pretended to be asleep as she left. As the door closed, my eyes opened again.


    I needed my mother to leave so I could think properly. Her presence only ends up overwhelming me with guilt.


    Staying immobile is simply not an option. Who could possibly remain still after the explosion of revtions that has just urred? The knowledge that Monsieur is my biological father doesn¡¯t change my disgust for him or for Vienna. Nevertheless, my mother did a remarkable job raising me, together with my father, Henr¨¬.


    I will talk to them and work towards resolving this conflict. Many people don¡¯t need to suffer or die in vain. I understand Lucian¡¯s desire for revenge as they took away his mother¡¯s life.


    However, there must be a path to peace, a means to restore bnce. It¡¯s up to me to pave that path.


    I pressed the button situated on the bedside table, the small yet significant signal to request help. I was keenly aware of who would be answering this call for assistance.


    Maria cautiously cracked the door open, her entrance apanied by a tangible unease. As she drew nearer, her eyes stayed lowered, disying reluctance.


    ¡°Do you need anything, Cers?¡± Her voice was soft, almost unsure. Slowly, she lifted her eyes, meeting my calm yet persistent expression.


    ¡°Yes, answers that can clear up my doubts,¡± I articted, making her swallow nervously.


    ¡°Why?¡± I questioned with a stern voice.


    ¡°Why did you lie to me? How could you maintain that dishonesty?¡± I posed another question, a hint of sorrow in my voice. The motivations were clear; she had been following my mother¡¯s instructions, just like everyone else. I doubted Maria truly understood the full extent of the truth until she departed from the mansion. Yet, I believed she had some clue. As I had previously mentioned, the remarkable simrity between Vienna and myself could not have been overlooked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Her tears flowed freely, a flood of remorse. She knelt beside my bed, her hand gripping mine.


    ¡°Forgive me, my best friend. I was ordered to keep my mouth shut, even when the temptation to say ¡®I told you so¡¯ was too overwhelming for me,¡± she sought my forgiveness between her apologies. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her unmistakably Maria-like response. Over the years of our friendship, she never stopped pointing out the striking resemnces between Vienna and me, often teasing me that Vienna and I would likely be sisters. In a twist of fate, that joke held an unexpected truth.


    ¡°Hush, I will grant you forgiveness.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± She lifted her head, which had been nearly brushing the back of my hand.


    ¡°Provided that¡­¡± I let the word hang, observing her reaction. She blinked her eyes, waiting for me to continue.


    ¡°Provided that you could bring Vienna to me, of course, without Lucian and Frank knowing,¡± I rified.


    Hesitation was evident on her face. ¡°Cercei¡­¡±


    ¡°Or perhaps not. I have enough resentment to nurture an eternal grudge,¡± I withdrew my hand from her grip and turned my face away.


    ¡°Fine,¡± after a brief resistance, she yielded, inhaling deeply. I shifted my focus back to her with a smirk.


    ¡°But only for an hour or two,¡± she reminded me quickly, her anxiety was apparent.


    ¡°That will do,¡± I nodded. That¡¯s enough time for me.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Maria. You are really great,¡± I conveyed my gratitude, a smile forming on my lips.


    ¡°You¡¯re not mad at me anymore?¡± She asked, voice hinting with worries.


    ¡°I never really was,¡± I chuckled, and she instantly yfully pped my arm.


    ¡°Ouch,¡± I let out a pained groan. An intricate array of needles and tubes were attached to me, a constant reminder of my current condition.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Maria¡¯s voice carried a hint of remorse, her lower lip caught between her teeth.


    ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry, Cers,¡± her tone shifted, bing sincere. She seated herself on the edge of my bed.


    ¡°I understand the extent of suffering you¡¯ve endured at the hands of those who, ironically, turned out to be your family,¡± she said seriously, her voice carrying empathy and a touch of kindness.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I responded, my words brief but filled withplicated emotions.


    ¡°I will always be here beside you for the rest of our lives,¡± her smile held a touch of joy, and I returned it, a silent recognition of her loyalty.


    I understand, I truly do. But right now, I¡¯m not even sure if I have a firm grip on my own identity. A significant part of me feels like it¡¯s shattered, and I¡¯m eager to rebuild it using the solid foundation of truth.


    The drive for peace and the mending of rtionships isn¡¯t the only reason why I want to talk with Monsieur. I¡¯m eager to question him about his actions, to understand why he orchestrated the events he did. I already know the answer, but I intend to hear it directly from him. I want to confront him bravely as his daughter, to make him realise that I know his misdeeds against my mother, and tell him that I already knew he was my father. Maybe this was his scheme all along, and perhaps he sent Vienna here to distract Lucian. No matter what he schemed, I won¡¯t allow him to seed.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    All I yearn for is to face him, to ask the questions whose answers I already know. I wanted to face him alone, I deserved all the exnation, and I swear to end his cruelty.

 Chapter 101: I Wish She Was Lying

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Manipting Maria¡¯s emotions to persuade her to help me was undoubtedly cunning. However, in moments of desperation, unconventional methods often be necessary. I was in a crucial situation where I urgently required her help, a need rooted in my desire to talk with Vienna.


    Although I doubted whether this was a wise course of action, recent memories of our intense argument just a day ago made me question whether it was a good idea. The physical and emotional wounds were still fresh, and dealing with Vienna seemed risky.


    But my inner drive pushed me forward. I regretted letting anger cloud my judgement. My patience had faltered, and I was on the edge of bing what I hated most.


    I regret it, yet a part of me is strangely content, though it makes me feel wicked. I can¡¯t deny that it was the first time I ever stood against Vienna after enduring years of emotional and physical abuse from her. I¡¯m not iming to be a saint, of course. I dreamt about retaliating against her, but I never anticipated it would cross such a line. I don¡¯t want everyone to think I am just like Monsieur. I am not and will never be like him.


    Following Maria¡¯s advice, I stayed up until midnight to sneak out of my room to visit Vienna. Avoiding Lucian¡¯s guards and the constant watchful eyes seemed like a daunting feat. I wonder how she managed to clear the guards out of the halls and turn off the cameras. However, Maria handled these challenges expertly, something I greatly admired.


    Vienna was seriously injured, so I had to be the one to approach her.


    ¡°Quiet,¡± Maria motioned for me to hide against the wall as two guards walked by. She covered my mouth. My heart was racing. Maria could face severe consequences if we were discovered.


    If Lucian discovered I had disobeyed him, he would be furious. He specifically instructed me to rest. My blood boiled at the thought of him. After he broke the fierce fight between Vienna and me, he didn¡¯t even spare me a nce. He went straight to Vienna and took her away. He didn¡¯t bother to check on me in my room. Jerk! It was Frank who told me I should get proper rest.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite scared,¡± I whispered to Maria as she craned her neck, trying to see if anyone was approaching.


    ¡°Shut up, your maniption still stings, you little bitch. If we get caught, we¡¯re both dead,¡± she whispered back sharply. A smallugh escaped my lips. I felt guilty for how I had influenced Maria.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll shut my mouth now,¡± I enunciated, pretending to zip my lips. She rolled her eyes and pulled me to Vienna¡¯s room. To my astonishment, there were no guards stationed at her door. I even nced up at the cameras, but they appeared to be switched off.


    I was puzzled by how Maria pulled this off. Her skills were truly impressive. It made me wonder, if she was so skilled, why hadn¡¯t she escaped from Moonstone¡¯s mansion earlier? With her abilities, I assumed she would have disappeared quickly.


    Maria¡¯s voice snapped me back to reality as she suggested a n, ¡°You go in, I¡¯ll watch the door.¡±


    I was surprisingly thankful for Maria¡¯s constant support as we stood outside Vienna¡¯s room.


    ¡°Maria, I owe you a lot,¡± I whispered, hugging her. She responded by patting my back and gesturing for me to go inside.


    ¡°Just for an hour, okay?¡± Her reminder lingered in the air. I nodded silently, mustering courage as I gripped the door handle and turned it slowly.


    Vienna was on her bed, surrounded by several tubes, some even were in her mouth. As I moved closer, my hand instinctively covered my mouth, absorbing the sight before me. What have I done? A sense of regret weighed heavily on my heart.


    Shouldn¡¯t she have healed by now? Werewolves have rapid healing abilities, faster than regr humans. Could her injuries be so severe that they required such serious medical treatment?


    I stood next to her bed, observing her as she slept. The notion that others often brought up, the undeniable resemnce between us, now felt real to me. Undoubtedly, our features shared an uncanny simrity.


    Her eyes opened, disying honey-brown irises that met my green eyes. Though they were different colours, there was a shared intensity and shape that linked them.


    Surprise appeared in her eyes, a feeling mirrored by the slight movement at the corner of her mouth as she tried to speak, only to be hindered by the tube.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to fight,¡± I spoke softly, sensing her attempt to speak. Carefully, I removed the tube from her mouth, giving her the ability to talk again.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°Why the heck did youe?¡± Her voice was infused with anger once I removed the tube from her mouth.


    ¡°I just wanted to talk to you,¡± I answered calmly, maintaining a steady eyes locked on hers.


    ¡°Talk about what? How sorry are you? You¡¯re not forgiven,¡± she dered firmly. Even in her condition, she¡¯s still hostile.


    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for your forgiveness either,¡± I retorted, emphasising my intention.


    ¡°Then leave,¡± she red at me, despite her struggle to move.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re the one suffering, Vienna. You put me through years of hardship,¡± I had lived in a situation simr to hers for most of my life, though without the tubes and the bed. She and Remus forced my family to live in a rundown cabin; however, I neverined.


    ¡°So this is your revenge?¡± She countered, her voice still filled with resentment. I took a deep breath, trying to control my own anger. It¡¯s a challenge to remain patient when dealing with someone like her.


    ¡°No¡­¡± I raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Or did you suddenly gain some courage when you found out you¡¯re also my father¡¯s child?¡± She sounded annoyed as she spoke.


    ¡°Can you just let me fucking speak?¡± My voice raised, losing my patience. She shot me a sharp look, but she fell silent. I inhaled sharply.


    ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ I mean, you¡­¡± I found it difficult to put together a clear sentence. I was uncertain about what to say or inquire. My confusion was overwhelming, and even though I hade here looking for answers, I felt disoriented at the moment.


    Her brows furrowed in confusion, signaling for me to continue.


    ¡°Are you sure about what you said?¡± I posed my initial question, struggling to find a way forward. She responded with a faint scoff.


    ¡°Really?¡± She mocked my question.


    ¡°We both know the answer to that, Cercei. Whether you believe it or not, that¡¯s your problem,¡± she retorted defiantly. I mped my mouth shut. Of course, I was well aware of the truth after hearing my mother¡¯s exnation, just that I was still in denial.


    ¡°You could be wrong,¡± I pretended to doubt. She chuckled, but it turned into a cough due to her weakened state.


    ¡°You¡¯re really something,¡± she spoke with irritation, yet a smile tugged at her lips as she shook her head.


    ¡°Even after all these years of escaping and running, you¡¯re still the same naive, in denial, and stupid girl I remember,¡± she added, and her words felt like a p across my face. She was right, so damn right that all I could do was give her a seething re.


    ¡°I¡¯m not wrong. Look at us. We¡¯re so damn alike,¡± She trailed off and coughed, a hint of disgust in her voice.


    ¡°Excuse the word, ¡®sisters,¡¯ but no way, I can¡¯t ept it,¡± She said the word like it was torture for her.


    ¡°Is that why you went here, for me to tell you I was lying?¡± She asked, but I remained silent. It wasn¡¯t entirely untrue, but notpletely urate either. Part of me wished that was the case.


    I wished this was merely a bad dream. I despised how Vienna lied; I struggled to determine the truth. However, this time, I longed for her to lie or for my mom to be mistaken.


    I wished she was lying, yet I knew she wasn¡¯t. I could feel it from her reaction.

 Chapter 102: She鈥檚 Pregnant

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°Your Grace, she is pregnant,¡± the Doctor¡¯s words carried a weight that resonated in my ears. Time seemed to freeze, and my mind momentarily paused.


    The surprise I felt must have shown on my face. I saw a simr reaction in Frank, but I kept my focus on the doctor.


    Pregnant? Is she really pregnant?


    Could I be on the verge of bing a father? Did my own father feel such a flood of emotions when he learned my mother was pregnant with me? It¡¯s a powerful joy that momentarily stops everything, a feeling beyond words.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, my voice revealing a mix of hope and a need for rity. My beloved and I made love a hundred times, the best moments of my life. It was so deep and romantic.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± came the reply, making my heart beat faster. Bing a father? What an amazing thought!


    Frank¡¯s congrattory tap on my shoulder showed his approval.


    ¡°And how is the mother and child¡¯s health?¡± I inquired, filled with anxiety as I paced back and forth.


    ¡°They are both doing well. However, it might be wise to give the mother a few days of rest. Strong emotions, even anger, could potentially be risky,¡± the Doctor exined, looking into my eyes intently.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure she follows your advice. Thank you, Doctor,¡± I nodded, and he left with a modest bow.


    Caught in this immense revtion, I was left speechless. My thoughts swirled, but I couldn¡¯t express a single word at this moment. Strong emotions swept through me, a mix of happiness, sadness, and anger, each trying to take over.


    Happiness as I imagined the result of our love growing inside her tiny body. Sadness for myte mother, who wouldn¡¯t hold her grandchild. And anger, a fierce feeling aimed at Vienna, at Remus, at anyone who might harm her.


    Breaking the silence, Frank¡¯s voice brought some lightness. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve hit the mark, Your Majesty,¡± he joked, winking at me.


    ¡°Congrattions, Your Majesty,¡± he added, his tone full of sincerity and respect, perfectly fitting the asion.


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant,¡± I dered as if the earlier conversation hadn¡¯t happened.


    ¡°Absolutely, Your Majesty. An heir is on the way,¡± Frank affirmed, his congrattions filling the room once again.


    Laughter welled up in me, and I was almost on the edge of euphoria. I stood up, gripping his jacket spontaneously.


    ¡°I¡¯m about to have an heir!¡± I eximed, my words intermingled withughter that swept my tense being, infectiously bringing a smile to Frank¡¯sposed expression.


    Amid the rush of joy, I enveloped Frank in a rejoicing hug, tears of happiness streaming down my cheeks. A father? The idea felt like a tale spun by fate.


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, Cercei¡¯s pregnant, and I¡¯m set to be a father, preparing to wee the rightful heir that soon bes my sessor!¡± The words tumbled from my lips in a whirlwind, a blend of astonishment and happiness.


    Frank¡¯s reassurance cast aforting shade over the moment. ¡°Without a doubt, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be a great father, Sire.¡±


    However, the smile on my face suddenly faded. I pondered his words. Could I truly be a great father? How will I manage that?


    ¡°Do you think so?¡± I inquired, much like a child seeking reassurance. He nodded earnestly, a genuine smile on his face.


    I stepped away and poured myself a drink. Can I truly be a great father? What even makes a good one? Could I measure up to this new responsibility? Doubts clouded my thoughts.


    What if my child grows to resent me? What if I falter and struggle in my role as a father? Can I ever live up to the strong paternal guidance my own father gave me?


    He was amazing, the best father I could have wished for. He¡¯s the person I respect and looks up to be one. I spent my childhood mimicking his leadership, but when ites to being a father, I have my doubts.


    ¡°Sire?¡± Frank¡¯s voice brought me back from reverie as I sipped my drink.


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably mess this up, won¡¯t I?¡± I confessed, the words escaping my lips constantly. Raising a pet had already proven to be a challenge that I struggled with. How much moreplex must the task of raising my own child be?


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll mishandle this responsibility,¡± I admitted, a mix of fear and anxiety in my words.


    ¡°Sire, you might be overthinking things,¡± Frank¡¯s tone was soothing, a gentle reminder of a positive perspective.


    Perhaps I was overthinking. Weighed down by worries about a life that had just begun, I was now sabotaging my confidence.


    ¡°This muste to an end,¡± I dered firmly, halting my steps.


    ¡°What exactly is it that needed to be done?¡± Frank inquired, a hint of confusion in his voice, seeking rity about my intentions.


    ¡°The chaos, the ongoing conflict, the currents of revenge and hatred, this must stop. I will put a swift end to it,¡± my conviction was strong, driven by a sincere desire to protect and keep my woman safe.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    A core impulse surged inside my mind,pelling me to ensure protection, especially for Cercei. A delicate yet potent life started growing inside her, and while I acknowledged her strength, I couldn¡¯t risk her well-being. The little life inside her held the promise of the North¡¯s future.


    The doctor¡¯s advice was clear. She required rest. Serenity, happiness, and calmness should surround her. I had the duty to secure her peace and tranquillity, eliminating any room for anxiety or turmoil. Despite her strength, she was in a delicate condition as she carried our child.


    She is still unaware that she carried our child, and I intend to share the news with her myself. Anticipating her reaction, I held onto hope that our joy would align. This child was living evidence of our shared love. However, reality introduced a note of uncertainty, given ourplicated circumstances and our little misunderstanding.


    Before revealing this news to her, certain matters must be addressed, rity must be embraced. Remus, the epitome of threat, must be removed from our path before our child arrives. His presence posed a danger that couldn¡¯t coexist with our child¡¯s safety.


    Especially now, with the potential news of Cercei¡¯s pregnancy possibly reaching his ears like wildfire, his evilness would probably intensify in his purpose of grabbing back Cercei and her mother away from my hands. This is a situation I couldn¡¯t tolerate. I refused to let Remus¡¯s evilness threaten our life and harm our child.


    ¡°I want you to ensure she¡¯s well rested,¡± I instructed Frank.


    ¡°What actions are you nning?¡± he inquired, seeking insight into my ns.


    I tightened my jaw as I finished my drink. The legacy I aimed to create for my child should be free from turmoil, without fear or danger. Remus¡¯s knowledge of my child¡¯s existence would only bring tension and risk, a clearly uneptable oue.


    ¡°Kill them all,¡± the word slipped from my lips, carrying a rigid n.


    ¡°My heir is on the way,¡± I dered firmly, emphasising my decision as I finished thest drop of my drink in a single gulp.

 Chapter 103: Betraying Her Best Friend

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°No,¡± I firmly responded to Vienna.


    ¡°I didn¡¯te here only to face your lies,¡± I interrupted quickly, staring intently at her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in what you¡¯re revealing anymore; your words have already spilled out excessively,¡± I said through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Then, do tell me why you came here suddenly, huh?¡± Her re was as sharp as a cold sword.


    I took a deep breath, closing the gap between us purposefully. I carefully untangled the tubes connecting her to the machines. The room filled with beeping sounds as the equipment registered her deteriorating condition. She gasped, struggling for breath, a clear image of suffocation.


    Her eyes begged for help, silently pleading, as I saw her fighting for her fragile hold on life. It¡¯s interesting how circumstances can change so dramatically.


    I reached for the syringe on the nightstand and pricked my left arm, drawing a few drops of my own blood. Swiftly, I injected the syringe¡¯s contents into the corner of her neck. A gift from my bloodline as an Alpha¡¯s descendant, royal blood ran through my veins. This blood held a unique power that granted rapid self-revival and the distinct ability to heal others, particrly those from royal bloodlines.


    When I infused my blood into her, her consciousness faded, gradually giving in to the soothing waves of my energy. I observed as her wounds sealed shut, herplexion regained its colour, an ongoing process of returning to life. Unintentionally, I let out a scoff. The unique privilege of being born into royalty, huh?


    Her eyelids fluttered open, irises resembling those of her wolf, briefly revealing her inner beast nature before returning to normal.


    She rose gracefully from her sickbed, released a deep exhale, and cautiously started walking once her feet met the floor, embracing her renewed strength.


    ¡°What the fuck, Cers?¡± Her shout was powerful, reflecting her shock. It wasn¡¯t even long till this bitch came back to life, but her trademark boldness resurfaced quickly. I rolled my eyes, unimpressed, and handed her clothes much better than the hospital gown she had been wearing.


    ¡°Change your clothes; we¡¯re going to escape,¡± I stated with authority.


    ¡°Firstly, let me remind you that you haven¡¯t earned the right to dictate my actions. Secondly, I have no idea how we¡¯ll leave this ce,¡± she reacted, her words carrying insolence and a stubborn spirit.


    ¡°Shut your mouth and change your clothes,¡± I snapped in irritation. Why did I feel such a bad moodtely?


    ¡°Just to rify, I might be younger than you, but you¡¯re definitely not my older sister. I¡¯m changing my clothes solely because this gown is in a terrible state,¡± she retorted, rolling her eyes before heading into the bathroom.


    I took another deep breath. How does anyone tolerate being around her or deal with her tantrums? She¡¯s a pain in the ass.


    ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± she asked as she reappeared in her new clothes.


    I sat on the bed, arms and legs crossed, deep in thought about our escape n.


    Maria has a skill I don¡¯t possess, one that allowed her to organise this dreadful n. Strangely, she gave me an hour; currently, only twenty minutes have passed. We still have afortable forty-minute gap before the surveince systems reactivate. It should be enough time for a sessful escape, right?


    However, the dilemma revolves around Maria. Ironically, she holds the key to my freedom while also posing a potential obstacle. Despite our unshakable loyalty, I¡¯m unsure about her willingness to help me gain my freedom. Though she yed a special role in bringing me here, her support for my escape from Lucian¡¯s grasp remains uncertain, particrly with Vienna around.


    ¡°Listen closely,¡± I began, exining the n.


    ****


    ¡°Let me get this straight. Your bright idea is to let me beat the shit out of your best friend? Are you crazy?¡± Vienna¡¯s tone was full of resentment.


    ¡°No, just knock her out,¡± I rified, nervously biting my lip. The extent of this deception feels sinister, a darkness that will surely condemn me forever.


    ¡°That¡¯s literally the same thing,¡± she sarcastically replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t beat her up; just make her sleep so we can escape. And do it gently,¡± I scolded her with a serious expression. She scoffed, mocking my apparent innocence.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you doing it yourself?¡± She gestured towards me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I admitted. The very idea of this wicked act taints my conscience. Harming Maria is beyond my moral limits.


    ¡°Why not?¡± She stood akimbo, ring sharply at me.


    ¡°She¡¯s my best friend,¡± I snapped instantly; annoyance appeared on my face.


    ¡°So it¡¯s okay if I do it, but you can¡¯t?¡± She questioned, rolling her eyes. I couldn¡¯t speak any words after seeing her reaction.


    ¡°So, you get to be the righteous one while I take on the role of the viin? Perfect n, huh, dear sister?¡± She raised her eyebrows, and she sharply inhaled, making me silent.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Please understand, it¡¯s not as simple as that. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to do that to Maria,¡± I attempted to rify, my voice tinged with frustration.


    ¡°Well, regardless, it¡¯s you who crafted this crazy n. Even if I execute it, the me still lies on your shoulders. Your contribution remains, and you¡¯ll still be a bitch best friend to her. Do you get my point?¡± Her words wereden with attitude.


    Her boldness slightly annoyed me, yet reluctantly, I admitted the truth in Vienna¡¯s statement.


    Undoubtedly, it is wicked. Maria went out of her way for me, defying norms and maybe even risking her rtionship with Frank, all to guide me into Vienna¡¯s temporary shelter. And now, here we stand, plotting to go against her, considering knocking her unconscious just to facilitate an escape.


    Maria represents the essence of friendship, a uniquebination of empathy and insight. She would oppose my attempt to reach out to Monsieur, even if I begged on my knees. She doesn¡¯t tolerate recklessness. But this is my path, my choice to make. Despite their caring, I need a clear, obstacle-free route. It¡¯s the only way to move forward.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask a fucking lecture from you, nor do I need any facade. Don¡¯t fool yourself into believing you¡¯re not finding this amusing, Vienna,¡± I snapped back, shaking my head. Her grin grew wider, practically reaching her ears.


    ¡°Ah, you do understand me quite well, sis. Truly ttering,¡± she stated and dripped with sarcasm.


    My heartbeat echoed with the gravity of our impending act. Slowly, I cracked open the door, hiding Vienna behind me. Maria stood outside, anxiously watching her surroundings. My heart sank as I observed her fear. A fleeting smile touched her lips when she spotted me, a mirrored expression appearing on my face.


    ¡°Did Vienna manage to muster the courage to be her usual bitchy self?¡± Her question held a yful tone that elicited a chuckle from me. I met her gaze, burdened with guilt.


    ¡°Maria,¡± I called her name gently, sping her hands. Confusion clouded her features as she looked at our entwined fingers.


    ¡°Thank you for all you¡¯ve done,¡± my gratitude resounded genuinely. Her smile persisted, filled with curiosity. In a gesture of affection, I pulled her into an embrace, tears mingling with the hug as if the gravity of our impending actions weighed heavily on me.


    ¡°And even if you end up resenting me, I hope you¡¯ll eventually understand. I need to do this for the sake of us all. Please forgive me, I love you,¡± my voice trembled, tears rolling down my cheeks, my shoulders shaking under the intensity of my emotions.


    ¡°Cercei, what¡¯s happening to¡­.¡± Maria¡¯s sentence was cut short as Vienna skillfully pressed a point on her neck. Her body slumped, unconsciousness taking over. With a casual flip of her hair, Vienna grinned.


    ¡°That was quite the show,¡± she teased, a triumphant glint in her eye. My re could have burned her right then and there.

 Chapter 104: No Plan At All

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Shut up!¡± I retorted, rolling my eyes. Kneeling beside Maria, I gently brushed the hair strands away from her face.


    I untied one of the bracelets we had made together back at the mansion, a string of beads carrying memories. I ced it in her hand and whispered softly, ¡°I hope for understanding, but not at the cost of hatred.¡± I lingered, my stares fixed on her peaceful form, before reluctantly turning away, with Vienna trailing behind me.


    The basement surrounded us, a domain of temporary safety. Our time for escape had shrunk to a mere twenty minutes; however, we were hidden inside the mansion¡¯s inner part. Where were Lucian¡¯s guards? Are they at the barracks? A strange absence of their presence carried a burden in my thoughts. Were they upied elsewhere? How was Lucian reacting to the silent cameras and the missing security team? Maria¡¯s skills were truly remarkable, making me amazed.


    Vienna followed in my footsteps, and our roles now reversed as I led the way for our escape. The mansion¡¯syout was shrouded in uncertainty. Had Maria managed to anticipate the intricateyout? And if so, how?


    ¡°Where are the guards?¡± Vienna queried, her voice a mixture of bewilderment and confusion. Her eyes darted around, searching for a reason behind their noticeable absence.


    ¡°Maria took care of them earlier,¡± my reply held a touch of simplicity.


    ¡°How?¡± Her curiosity prompted her inquiry.


    ¡°I have no idea.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s rather impressive,¡± Vienna admitted, even managing a hint of admiration.


    Surveying our surroundings, I ensured no obstructions hindered our path. We walked toward Lucian¡¯s garage, aiming to find a hidden car. The gate posed a challenge; nestled in a forest, getting through it would cost us valuable time, a gamble we couldn¡¯t afford to try.


    ¡°Damn it, we don¡¯t have a key,¡± my frustration punctuated the air.


    The sound of breaking ss, with Vienna¡¯s heels transformed into an improvised weapon, jolted me. She effortlessly essed the car¡¯s interior and unlocked it from inside. Even though Lucian hasvish car collections, this car appeared ordinary,cking bulletproof enhancements or extravagant features.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Get in! I¡¯m not in the mood to hold the door for you,¡± her rudeness was as transparent as her defiance.


    Iplied, fastening my seatbelt as her skillful fingers tried to ignite two different wires.


    Abruptly, the car roared to life. My astonishment almost changed into apuse. She had, seemingly, hotwired the car. I stared at her, stunned.


    ¡°What?¡± she inquired, her gaze meeting mine.


    ¡°I used to steal Dad¡¯s cars, so stop giving me that look,¡± she boasted with an odd sense of pride, even though I hadn¡¯t made any such inquiry.


    ¡°Buckle up!¡± shemanded before mming her foot on the elerator. I had previously considered Vienna as the perfection of a wicked troublemaker, but I had underestimated her. There was something more terrifying than her affinity for being obnoxious, her driving skills. It felt like my very soul was struggling to keep up with the speed. I gripped my seatbelt as if it were a lifeline, hoping it would be enough to save me if disaster struck.


    ¡°Vienna, slow down!¡± My fear echoed through the car¡¯s interior, my voice barely audible above the engine¡¯s noise and the rush of wind. I swear I was about to pee. She ignored me andughed. My grip tightened as if clinging to the seat could save me.


    God, I know I¡¯ve made mistakes, but I could only ask for your help right now. I didn¡¯t do all those terrible things just to die in a car crash. I repeatedly uttered inside my head.


    ¡°We¡¯re racing against the clock! Our time is almost up!¡± she shouted over the noise. Our conversation was a mere murmur between the hurricane of loud engine roar, the world around us rendered blur by the speed.


    ¡°Do you have a death wish?!¡± I yelled, a mixture of terror and frustration gripping my voice. She responded withughter, a devilish cackle that sent shivers down my spine.


    ¡°To some extent, yes!¡± her grin grew wider, chilling me to the bone. I gaped at her in disbelief, the gravity of her words sinking in.


    Eventually, we reached the gates, leaving Lucian¡¯s estate behind. To my immense relief, Vienna slowed down the car, and I exhaled a shaky breath. While the threat may have lessened, the burden of uncertainty still hung in the air. What now? We had managed to escape the mansion, but the North remained a bleak territory, every local fiercely loyal to Lucian. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he hunted us down.


    ¡°What¡¯s our next move?¡± she queried, ncing at me briefly before refocusing on the road.


    ¡°I honestly have no n,¡± I confessed, and my hesitation was clear.


    ¡°What?!¡± Her gaze flicked to me momentarily before returning to the road again.


    ¡°You kidnapped me, put my life in this dangerous situation, and yet you have no n?¡± Her tone carried a touch of drama, a mock disy of disbelief.


    ¡°Kidnapped? You were the one who invaded that ce, and I¡¯m not the one risking your life, your reckless driving skills do! Your actions nearly rendered me immobile,¡± I retorted, my re sharp.


    ¡°You should be grateful,¡± she snapped back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.


    ¡°Grateful? Oh yes, thank you for turning my existence into a nightmare. My childhood was filled with horrible memories,¡± I replied with bitter irony.


    The car came to an abrupt stop, jolting me forward. Thank goodness for my seatbelt; without it, my face might have ended up parting ways with my body.


    ¡°Why the hell did you stop? They might catch us soon, drive!¡± My voice reeled on the edge of panic as I scanned the rearview mirror for any sign of Lucian¡¯s men trailing behind us.


    ¡°We need a n, a destination,¡± she blurted out.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have any n?¡± Panic tightened its grip around my chest as my eyes darted around, searching for potential threats.


    ¡°I thought you were supposed to have one,¡± she retorted, her agitation noticeable.


    ¡°I did! I got us out of the mansion!¡± I shot back, the urgency of our situation driving my words.


    ¡°Correction, it was me who drove us out,¡± she rectified, her focus on her grip around the steering wheel.


    ¡°Fine, but it was my n!¡± I countered quickly, and our argument feeling increasingly foolish.


    ¡°Then draft a new n, now!¡± she demanded.


    ¡°I assumed you had one,¡± I pointed toward her.


    ¡°Why in hell would I have a n? I didn¡¯t even know we were escaping until an hour ago!¡± Frustration wrapped around her words as she swayed between driving and venting her temper.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t have an escape n?¡± My disbelief mingled with a tinge of distress. She shook her head fervently. I pressed my eyes shut in annoyance. This was maddening beyond words.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you have a n at all? What was your intention after revealing the truth? Did you n to stay beside Lucian forever?¡± I voiced the obvious, frustration and disbelief welling up in my mind. Her n appeared to revolve around exposing the truth, a concept that overlooked the potential consequences.


    ¡°Well, I was just as furious as you when I found out the truth. This wasn¡¯t even a choice I wanted. I hadn¡¯t mapped out anything beyond that,¡± she admitted with brutal honesty.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°And now, what are we going to do?¡± My fingers instinctively raised to my head, tugging at it in a gesture of sheer frustration.


    Under pressure, I had always taken pride in maintaining myposure. However, at this moment, I felt like I was on the brink of an emotional outburst.

 Chapter 105: Heading To The Mountain

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Let¡¯s just take a moment to think, okay? Arguing won¡¯t lead us anywhere,¡± Vienna¡¯s words cut through the tension.


    A dejected chuckle nearly escaped my lips; the roles had reversed, and now Vienna was the one showing enough patience. How had I grown so irritable? My once bottomless reserve of patience now felt as fragile as a thread.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I agreed, though the vast emptiness of my mind offered no solutions. This wasn¡¯t the first time we had executed an escape, but it certainly ranked among the most dangerous. Did Lucian already realise our absence? I shuddered at the thought of his wrath. Caught during our escape n, I only hoped that Maria would somehow avoid the severe consequences. However, considering Lucian¡¯s nature, showing mercy wouldn¡¯t be his first instinct. I just hope Lucian will understand.


    No, he won¡¯t. He¡¯ll never understand that I must leave him. No exnation could ever make sense to him. Exining the urgency of my escape would be in vain.


    I¡¯m not abandoning him; I¡¯m just temporarily stepping away to address my own issues. I need to ask Monsieur a few questions, and then I¡¯ll kill him. Yes, that¡¯s the n. It might be straightforward and perhaps a bit reckless, but that¡¯s all it requires. It¡¯s all I need to do. And then this can finally be over, hundreds and thousands of lives won¡¯t have to be sacrificed in the name of their Alpha¡¯s conflicts.


    And this isn¡¯t just about the men or the war. It¡¯s about me and my family too. I will execute my revenge. The fact that he¡¯s my biological father doesn¡¯t alter anything. He remains the same monster I despise. No revtion could ever change that. My anger has already rooted itself too deeply.


    ¡°Can you contact him, your father?¡± My eyes shifted to Vienna.


    ¡°He¡¯s in the South; any international call could alert authorities,¡± she replied.


    If the authorities are informed, Lucian will inevitably find out as well, leading to both of us being dragged back to his mansion.


    ¡°Do you have any contacts in the North who haven¡¯t been tied to Lucian?¡± I quickly asked, a hint of desperation in my voice.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    It seems impossible; the North only obeys the Reds. I¡¯m losing hope, and now I have to return to the mansion as a failure, facing everyone¡¯s anger.


    My mother will undoubtedly be furious, and Maria as well, for being betrayed, not to mention Lucian. I banged my head against the car window in frustration. I should have just stayed in my room.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Vienna eximed as if a light bulb had suddenly switched on in her mind, and her voice snapped my attention back. Her tone held an air of excitement as she examined her wristwatch.


    ¡°If you¡¯re concerned about the time, it¡¯s probably two or three in the morning,¡± Imented, drained of energy. It was midnight, and here we were, trapped in the dark street, a stolen car as our only ally, and Vienna, my tormentor, as my reluctant aplice. Life has a knack for twisting its own unique sense of humour.


    ¡°No, my father gave me this watch,¡± Vienna interjected.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the time to brag, Vienna. No one cares about you or your daddy,¡± I replied wearily.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. Every piece of jewellery Dad gives me has a tracker. Maybe we could use it tomunicate with him,¡± she exined. Her words stirred a glimmer of hope in my mind. My eyes shifted to her wristwatch.


    ¡°We might be able to send a signal or something,¡± Vienna added, her eyes fixed on her wristwatch. A possibility emerged from her words.


    ¡°Take it off and give it to me,¡± I instructed. Vienna immediately took it off. She started to hand it to me, but then she swiftly withdrew her hand, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, my irritation flickering.


    ¡°You¡¯re not nning to smash it, are you?¡± Her eyebrow arched in doubt as she clung to the watch. I fought the urge to snap at her.


    ¡°Of course not. The tracker is inside. We need to open it,¡± I rified, scolding her.


    ¡°But this is a Bulgari,¡± she pouted immediately, her reluctance apparent. I shot her a sharp look, and hesitatingly, she handed the watch to my outstretched hand.


    ¡°Give me your heels, too,¡± I mumbled, gesturing with my mouth. Her pout deepened.


    ¡°Do you want my soul as well?¡± She retorted sarcastically, though she handed over her heels.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite the drama queen,¡± I muttered, rolling my eyes.


    I studied the wristwatch closely, and I noticed there was a little bit of bling at its center. That must be the tracker.


    Vienna¡¯s voice piped up as I prepared to break the wristwatch ss using the heels.


    ¡°Is there any other way to open it? This is a fashion crime¡­¡± Her hesitation was apparent, but I shattered the wristwatch ss in the next beat. Vienna let out a small scream.


    ¡°My poor baby, I¡¯m going to sue you,¡± she red at me, inspecting her broken watch. I shook my head at her reaction.


    ¡°Bingo!¡± A triumphant smile appeared on my lips as I spotted a small red button bordering the tracker.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± She leaned in, trying to glimpse what had captured my attention.


    ¡°Press it three times, you know, like an SOS signal,¡± She stated the obvious. Iplied, pressing the button three times, then again and again. The urgency of our situation mirrored my repetitive action.


    ¡°We need to go,¡± I dered, haste pounding inside my head. Staying here wasn¡¯t an option, and soon they would track us down swiftly if we lingered.


    ¡°Where to?¡± Vienna¡¯s question interjected as I unfastened my seatbelt.


    ¡°There,¡± I pointed towards a distant mountain.


    One side of her mouth lifted, giving her a bemused expression.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± The disbelief in her voice was clear. I ignored her, quickly opening the car door and stepping out into the faint light of early morning.


    ¡°They¡¯ll anticipate us heading to an airport or somece where your father could pick us up. They won¡¯t anticipate us heading up that mountain,¡± I asserted confidently. My original n was to go to an airport nearby and fly to the South, but that felt more futile than trying to find fish in the sky. It was too predictable; I was certain that Lucian¡¯s men would swoop in and bring us back to the mansion even before we could board the ne.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving the car?¡± Vienna motioned towards the car.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, my fingers still pressing the button on her watch at three-time intervals.


    ¡°Look, I admire themitment, but no,¡± she countered, arms crossed.


    ¡°Vienna, please, we don¡¯t have time for any argument,¡± I appealed, my patience wearing thin. She shook her head, persistent in her stance.


    ¡°We¡¯re taking the car. It¡¯s faster, more convenient, and warmer,¡± she reasoned, leaning back against the hood.


    ¡°Yes, and it¡¯s also a quicker way for them to locate us. Have you ever considered that the car probably also has a tracker?¡± I retorted coolly, raising an eyebrow. She straightened up, gazing at the car.


    ¡°Fine, you can take the car if you want, but find a different mountain. Don¡¯t lead them my way,¡± I instructed, swinging to start walking away.


    Walking a few steps, I heard her footsteps trailing behind me as she followed.


    ¡°When did you be such a bitch?¡± Her whispered words reached my ears from behind.

 Chapter 106: The Freezing Journey

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°It¡¯s freezing out here,¡± Viennained, visibly shivering as she wrapped her arms around herself. I let out a resigned sigh and retraced my steps back to the car. Opening the trunk, I rummaged through its contents to look for anything useful.


    Therey a set of tuxedo and boots, presumably Lucian¡¯s spares. I quickly handed them to Vienna.


    There was no way she could climb a mountain in heels; it would surely cause her disaster. Not to mention, with the mountain¡¯s terrain covered in heavy snow, walking it in heels would be nothing short of a dangerous effort. We were in the North, for goodness¡¯ sake. The bitter cold and treacherous conditions would exhaust us in no time.


    Vienna regarded me for a fleeting moment before epting the clothes I offered. If I didn¡¯t know her personally, I might¡¯ve detected a trace of gratitude in her eyes. But this was Vienna¡¯s nature, expecting such sentiment would be simr to predicting the impossible.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she muttered unexpectedly, a phrase I never would¡¯ve anticipated hearing from her. Well, at least herints had stopped. I also grabbed a first aid kit and a water bottle from the trunk.


    Lucian sure seemed to be prepared for every event, didn¡¯t he? I mused, looking at the items cradled in my arms.


    Our escape ahead was going to be a long and difficult one. We¡¯d have to abandon the car as soon as possible. I couldn¡¯t say with certainty that a tracker was affixed to it, but considering Lucian¡¯s intelligence, it was a distinct possibility. Besides, driving around in his car was an open invitation for unwanted attention. People would recognize it, and word would undoubtedly reach Lucian¡¯s men, who were searching for us by now.


    That¡¯s precisely why we had to opt for this approach, to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention. Besides, we were unfamiliar with the North¡¯sndscape. The vast mountains and dense forests showed a tough challenge.


    We had to walk through a dense forest before even attempting to climb the mountain. I sensed Vienna¡¯s weariness, her exhaustion muting her usualints and chatter. I was growing tired too. It hadn¡¯t been long since we¡¯d started on this long walk, and we were still in the forest¡¯s depths. Despite my usually tireless strength and athletic energy, I found myself catching my breath more frequently than I¡¯d like to admit. Was it because I was with Vienna? Did her presence bring out the worst in me? Or was it something else entirely?


    Leaning against a tree, I ced my hands on my chest as I fought to regain my breath. Even inside the forest, the air still felt like it was disappearing.


    ¡°Maybe we should rest,¡± Vienna¡¯s suggestion cut through the silence. Her eyes were fixed on me, hesitating whether she should reach her hands to help me. I lifted my hands, assuring her that I was fine.


    She had a point; resting now and resuming our trip after sunrise would allow us to recover our strength.


    I settled on a tree root, relying on its firmness to prop me up as I leaned against the trunk. Meanwhile, Vienna searched the surroundings for twigs and stones, her steps causing the oversized shoes to slip off her feet. It was somewhat amusing to see her stumble over them now and then; Lucian¡¯s footwear was obviously toorge for her.


    ¡°Here¡¯s what I gathered,¡± she announced,ying down the collected twigs before handing me two rocks. She positioned herself against a huge tree root nearby.


    Rubbing the rocks together, I created sparks that gradually ignited a fire. I blew gently on the embers, pushing the fire to grow.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Vienna¡¯s awed exmation reached me, a mix of surprise and admiration in her voice.


    ¡°I always thought only matches and lighters could start fires,¡± Vienna mused, clearly taken aback by the simple act I had just demonstrated. She even stared at the mes, tentatively cing her finger near the fire¡¯s edge.


    ¡°It¡¯s real fire. It burns,¡± she remarked, quickly retracting her hand to show me her slightly burned finger. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her childlike reaction.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s real fire. What did you expect?¡± Iughed, ncing at her pale face.


    ¡°I thought it might be a bit weaker, less intense, you know,¡± she exined in a brief attempt to recover her dignity. My eyebrows raised at her exnation, and she rolled her eyes in response.


    ¡°Nevermind. You clearly don¡¯t get it,¡± she added hastily, her lips forming a pout.


    I understood her sentiment. Evidently, she hadn¡¯t anticipated that some of life¡¯s simple processes could be just as straightforward as they seemed. And I couldn¡¯t really me her; she had grown up surrounded by luxury and privilege, all of which were readily provided by that monster father we shared.


    An unexpected pang of pain shot through me as I contemted the reality that Remus was my biological father. Fate had orchestrated an unforeseen twist in my life, that was for sure.


    The crackling fire danced before us, both of us falling silent as we stared into the mes. Vienna curled into herself, clutching Lucian¡¯s coat for warmth, while I leaned my body against the tree trunk, resting my head against its rough bark.


    The tree¡¯s surface was nowhere near asfortable as the expensive pillows at Lucian¡¯s mansion, yet I found myself strangely at ease. Perhaps exhaustion had encouraged me to appreciate even the simplest offorts at this moment.


    ¡°Have you ever wished for things to be different?¡± Vienna¡¯s voice broke the silence after a long break.


    I took a moment to reply, and my gaze steadily fixed on the fire as I continued pressing the button on her watch three times.


    ¡°No,¡± I murmured, my voice barely more than a whisper.


    In truth, I hadn¡¯t. This life of mine was far from perfect, to put it mildly. If I had been given the power to create my own fate, I would¡¯ve certainly penned something less harrowing. But in the bigger picture, the ws in my life added a distinct vour to it.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    In the middle of this seemingly endless ordeal, I encountered wonderful people who had be my allies. I wasn¡¯t entirely sure what Vienna was getting at with her question, but one thing was clear, I wouldn¡¯t exchange this tough path for a different one. Despite its hardships, there was no assurance that any alternative path would be better that awaited me.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Vienna¡¯s curiosity probed.


    ¡°Because I wouldn¡¯t be myself,¡± I responded simply. Her lips pursed as she pondered my words.


    Observing Vienna¡¯s thoughtful expression, I couldn¡¯t help but see a child grappling with aplex question. There could be more to her than what was apparent on the surface.


    Maybe she isn¡¯t as terrible as I thought, just a bit misguided.

 Chapter 107: She Has Left Again

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°What do you mean she¡¯s disappeared?¡± The words escaped my lips in a strained tone, carrying a hint of dwindling patience.


    ¡°She managed to escape with Miss Vienna, Sire,¡± one of my men reported, his gaze averted, avoiding to meet my eyes. In response, a surge of anger overwhelmed me, and I delivered a harsh punch, connecting with his face. He crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.


    ¡°You only had one fucking task!¡± My voice echoed with fury, directed not only at the one before me but at all those who stood in silence. They remained standing, backs stiff, arms firmly held behind their back.


    ¡°One simple fucking task!¡± I hurled objects from my desk, the impact of a vase hitting the floor resounding through the office. The room was shrouded in an unsettling silence, filled only by the sound of my heavy breaths and the seething anger that consumed me.


    Once again, she slipped away.


    Without a moment of hesitation, she disappeared into thin air. To make matters worse, she had also taken her sister with her. Armed with just one piece of truth, she instantly slipped from my grasp. How did she make it so easily?


    Didn¡¯t she consider her own safety? Even if she doesn¡¯t realise she¡¯s pregnant, didn¡¯t it ever ur to her? We were intimate without protection, after all.


    And where has she gone this time? The most reasonable assumption is that she¡¯s making her way to her father, Remus. It¡¯s the only exnation that makes sense, given she¡¯s taking Vienna with her. Is she using her sister as bait, exploiting her vulnerability for some undisclosed motive? Has her stance towards Remus softened? Is she starting to acknowledge him as family? Did she go to ask some questions?


    I¡¯ve always ttered myself on my ability to read people. I excel at it; I can read my enemies quite effectively. My skill in reading people has contributed to my sess. But why is it so challenging to read her? Why can¡¯t I anticipate her thoughts or predict her next actions?


    ¡°Dismissed!¡± I ordered, the word dripping with seething frustration.


    ¡°You¡¯re all fucking fired! Leave before I decide to execute all of you!¡± The force of my voice echoed through the room, a surge of dismissal crashing over them. They left without hesitation, vanishing from my sight. I¡¯ve just fired a quarter of my men during a war. But honestly, if they can¡¯t even aplish a basic task, they won¡¯t be of any value in the war as well.


    ¡°Has the security footage been reviewed?¡± I shifted my gaze to Frank, who stood firmly in front of my swivel chair as I remained seated.


    ¡°The cameras were disabled for an entire hour,¡± he replied in his usualposed manner. I closed my eyes briefly, my irritation bubbling beneath the surface.


    ¡°And the guards? No one has seen them?¡± I fixed my gaze on him, the intensity of my question mirroring my mounting frustration.


    ¡°No one had witnessed, Sire. ording to them, they left the mansion on my order,¡± he stated matter-of-factly. My brows furrowed hearing what he mentioned.


    ¡°And did you?¡± I motioned my hand, demanding an exnation.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°No, Sire,¡± his expression remained impassive.


    ¡°Cercei had an aplice inside this mansion, and I have a hunch about who it might be,¡± he revealed, his tone devoid of emotion.


    I was certain that Frank wasn¡¯t behind the security breach. He had been by my side the entire night. We spent several hours in the barracks gathering banners for the uing war.


    When it came to the traitor who facilitated Cercei¡¯s escape, the pieces of the puzzle pointed to one person seamlessly. It was Maria, her closest friend.


    ¡°Leave her to me, Sire,¡± Frank requested, his words carrying a weighty sense of purpose. I clenched my jaw after hearing his request.


    ¡°Cercei¡¯s escape can be directly attributed to Maria¡¯s involvement. Without her help, this scheme wouldn¡¯t have seeded,¡± I stated firmly, setting aside any consideration for their friendship.


    Maria lives under my roof, and I have a single rule here: to ensure Cercei¡¯s safety.


    ¡°She¡¯s unaware of Miss Cercei¡¯s pregnancy,¡± Frank interjected, attempting to lessen her responsibility.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change the situation. She has fled to the territory of my enemy, bearing my unborn child!¡± My voice escted, carrying a crescendo of anger.


    Frank quickly knelt before me, his plea evident in his posture.


    ¡°Allow me to speak with Maria. I promise you, Sire, we will get back Miss Cercei and bring this to an end,¡± he begged, his gaze lowered.


    My fist clenched, and the intensity of my emotions coiled inside my heart.


    ¡°Bring her back here as soon as possible,¡± I demanded, my tone dripping with ice-cold authority.


    He straightened, meeting my gaze unflinchingly.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he offered a slight bow before exiting the room.


    I rubbed my temples wearily, then massaged the bridge of my nose.


    Stubborn as always. It¡¯s not about locking her up; it¡¯s about keeping her safe. I haven¡¯t kept her imprisoned inside these walls, but I¡¯ve clearly reminded her that she must stay in the North¡¯s premises.


    It¡¯s dangerous to act alone. I¡¯ve consistently tried to make her understand. I know how much she craves her freedom; it¡¯s something she¡¯s never truly experienced. I made a promise to grant her that after I defeated Remus.


    And now Remus has her, handed to him on a silver tter by none other than herself. Was that his calcted n from the beginning? The reason why he sent Vienna to prate my kingdom? I should have seen it, the pieces neatly falling into ce. That¡¯s Vienna¡¯s main purpose for disclosing the truth!


    With both his daughters in his grasp now, he will likely unt his victory before my eyes.


    Dialling the number, I raised the phone to my ear, the bitterness of vodka surging down my throat as I downed it in a single gulp.


    ¡°Lucian,¡± a soft voice greeted me.


    ¡°Emelia.¡±


    ¡°To what do I owe this pleasure?¡± Sarcasm dripped from her voice, even through the connection.


    ¡°The banners are prepared. It¡¯s time to march into battle,¡± I stated in a heavy tone.


    ¡°But the Southern North Lords are yet unprepared¡­.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need them to defeat Remus,¡± I interjected, hastily cutting her words.


    ¡°Why the rush?¡± She sounded confused.


    ¡°This war is long overdue. I should¡¯ve ended Remus¡¯s life when he took my mother¡¯s life,¡± I admitted, my teeth clenched.


    ¡°Lucian, we can¡¯t execute this n abruptly. Remus is a strong enemy, and we mustn¡¯t underestimate him¡­¡±


    ¡°He has Cercei captive,¡± I stated bluntly. A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line.


    ¡°What?¡± Her voice carried a hint of disbelief.


    ¡°What do you mean he has her?!¡± Panic now wrapped her voice.


    ¡°What I mean is, she managed to escape, and Vienna is with her.¡± I exhaled heavily, the bitter taste of vodka lingering on my tongue as I gulped another ss.


    Yes, your daughter has left me once again.

 Chapter 108: Betrayal Of Her Best Friend

    Maria¡¯s POV


    I woke up in my room, letting out a slight groan as I gently massaged my back to ease the unpleasant throbbing pain.


    ¡°Damn, it hurts!¡± I muttered silently.


    My whole body felt sore like arge truck had crashed into me, leaving its mark. And to make things worse, my neck throbbed with a nearly unbearable intensity.


    I tried to remember what happened. Yes, that bitch, Vienna, who had sessfully knocked me unconscious. But then again, why was I here in this room?


    How long did I sleep? I couldn¡¯t recall how much time had passed. Why would Cercei allow Vienna to do that? I attempted to get up from lying, but I only felt frustrated as my body didn¡¯t cooperate well.


    Suddenly, the door opened, revealing Frank. His face showed clear displeasure. His lips were tight, his eyes empty, and his hands thrust in his pockets.


    He walked towards my bed in a calcted manner, his cold behavior giving a simr feeling to the shiver caused by snowkes down one¡¯s spine. When our eyes met, it felt like life was being sucked out of me. The intensity of this encounter left me with no doubt that there was trouble.


    ¡°H-hi,¡± I managed to say, surprisingly boldly. Unfortunately, my greeting was met with silence. His gaze held me in ce. I might have tried to smile and break the tension if it wasn¡¯t for the throbbing pain I felt. But in my current situation, any such efforts would be in vain.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I mumbled. Regret wrapped my voice like a remorseful whisper carried by the breeze. Trying to sit up, I expected some help, but he ignored my pained groans. He kept staring at me, unmoved by my distress.


    His gaze was so intense that I had to look away, trying to break from the fiery intensity in his eyes.


    He stayed silent like a statue, minutes passing with no end. I couldn¡¯t figure out his intentions. Was he trying to get me to confess by treating me coldly until I broke down?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said again, my voice like a puppy asking for forgiveness.


    ¡°I just¡­ Cercei is my¡­. I¡­¡± Words stumbled from my lips, and my usual eloquence vanished unexpectedly, like a child caught off guard while trying to express thoughts.


    ¡°I have no excuse,¡± I uttered again, my voice trying to sound firm. Gathering some courage, I met his eyes, hoping to see even a bit ofpassion or understanding. But there was nothing. His expression remained unreadable, simr to a stone guard at fortified gates. He had no emotions, just an air of strength, ready for any battle.


    His silence was like a heavy nket muffling everything around me. All I could hear was my breath and my heavy heartbeat.


    I couldn¡¯t hear any sound from him, not even his breath. Wasn¡¯t that what he had prepared for throughout his life? A warrior honed to be as agile as a wolf.


    ¡°What? You¡¯re just going to stay there?¡± I managed a faint, strained chuckle. Yet, there was no hint of amusement on his face.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to scold me? Offer your usual advice, or vent your frustration as much as you want,¡± the words spilled out from my mouth, carrying a hint of pleading, a yearning for any reaction.


    ¡°What should I say?¡± he finally spoke, yet the words were hanging. His voice cut through the silence. It was cold, like a vast empty sky.


    ¡°That I messed up!!!¡± I growled, carrying an apparent frustration in my voice. I had gone from being mature to sounding like a kid sent to the principal¡¯s office.


    ¡°You know what you¡¯ve done. Why should I say anything, then?¡± Frank responded, his sarcasm just as cold as his expression.


    ¡°She¡¯s my best friend!!¡± I quickly argued, and the fierceness in my voice was firm, as if asserting a truth to shield myself from his anger.


    ¡°Your best friend escaped under your watch,¡± he retorted, words carrying the same intensity.


    I gritted my teeth, attempting to appear strong. The truth was, my mouth felt dry, and tears threatened to spill over.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t anticipate she would take such action. She just wanted to speak with Vienna,¡± I reasoned, my voice quivering as I tried to justify my actions. Once more, silence settled like an insurmountable barrier, blocking any further chance for exnation.


    I noticed a subtle shift in his gaze, though he quickly concealed it.


    ¡°You knew she was restricted from leaving her room,¡± he expressed slowly, his words carrying significant weight as if he wanted me to understand their gravity.


    ¡°She¡¯s not a prisoner. She¡¯s Lucian¡¯s mate,¡± I sternly voiced out, trying to justify Cercei¡¯s actions. I saw his jaw tighten, and his expression sharpened.


    ¡°Which is why she needs protection!¡± He red at me. Now, his voice held irritation, which also sparked a sense of anger inside my heart.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± I shot back, my voice louder now, tears streaming down my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry,¡± I gave in to tears. My vulnerability is simr to a baby¡¯s wail. His stern expression faltered, his resolute posture disrupted by my abrupt submission and the flood of tears that followed.


    ¡°She¡¯s gone because of my actions, and I¡¯m deeply sorry,¡± I repeated desperately.


    Even though I wasn¡¯t directly involved in plotting her escape, it materialised because of my actions. She exploited the opportunity I had unintentionally provided.


    Yes, I feel betrayed. It¡¯s like a damn knife was stabbed into my back. I do recognize the help Cercei has offered me before, but this time, she¡¯s taken it to an entirely different level. She teamed up with the person we utterly despised, the same person who turned our lives into a living nightmare.


    I assisted her in talking with Vienna not just because of a debt I owed her, though that yed a role. The real reason was that she was my best friend, more like a sister. Her entire life has been built on lies, and how she uncovered the truth was far from fair. She needed that conversation with Vienna to clear things up. However, I never anticipated that they would formte such an escape n.


    Knocking me out forcefully and leaving me unconscious was a serious offence, especially considering the risks I had taken. I had exposed my hacking skills, revealing my full capabilities to create a distraction for the guards. This move strained my rtionship with Frank, put Lucian¡¯s trust in trouble, and even risked my own identity. I am not trying to count good deeds, but she stabbed me brutally.


    Her betrayal is not just affecting me; it puts her safety at risk, which is something I can¡¯t overlook. The burden of responsibility bears down on me heavily, and if any harm happens to her, I won¡¯t be able to forgive myself.


    That little bitch ran straight into the arms of the monster she had been avoiding her whole life.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring her back,¡± I dered with a firm tone as if making a grave promise.


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve done enough,¡± He retorted in an icy scorn. His gaze locked onto mine before he turned away, cutting off our connection.


    As he walks away, it¡¯s as if a parallel wound opens inside me, each step he takes driving an invisible de into my heart.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring her back, you idiot!¡± I whispered, my voice trailing after him as he disappeared from my sight.

 Chapter 109: Hatred Towards Their Father

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Ahh¡­ These persistent mosquitoes seem to have quite an insatiable appetite for my precious blood,¡± Viennamented, swatting at her arms in frustration to fend off the tiny attackers.


    ¡°The snug-fitting attire you chose might be adding to their attraction, especially in the heart of this forest,¡± I dryly remarked, raising an eyebrow as I observed the situation.


    ¡°Well, to be fair, I wasn¡¯t exactly informed that we were headed into the heart of this forest,¡± she snapped back, a touch of annoyance apparent in her furrowed brows.


    ¡°One might question whether such attire offers anyfort. You can¡¯t possibly befortable wearing that every day,¡± I remarked casually, my gaze assessing her outfit.


    Vienna always seemed drawn to extravagant clothing, which was why she held the title of a fashion icon. However, in situations like this, her reputation for impable style wasn¡¯t helping her.


    Her preference for form-fitting dresses and short skirts aligns with her status as a princess in their grand estate. However, her interpretation of extravagant fashion is now causing her difort.


    ¡°Of course, dressing elegantly can provide a sense offort,¡± she responded with confidence.


    A wave of dizziness hit me as I rolled my eyes almost instinctively. One could only imagine how Monsieur managed to handle her stubborn personality day after day.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°Good luck being feasted by mosquitoes then,¡± I remarked casually, shrugging as I turned on my heel, finding a somewhatfortable spot on a strong tree root.


    Though shifting into our wolf forms could provide better rest, the risk of leaving a traceable scent made that option risky. Our distinct smells, especially mine, would be magnified, attracting unwanted attention. Besides, embracing our wolf form wouldpromise our mental sharpness, something we couldn¡¯t afford given our current circumstances.


    ¡°Hey,¡± her voice reached me, tinged with hesitation. Ignoring her, I closed my eyes.


    ¡°Hey!¡± her insistence grew, apanied by a pebble hurled my way, snapping me out of my thoughts.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, feigning indifference as my back still turned to her.


    She appeared somewhat bashful, her words escaping her lips almost in a murmur. I could detect her slight movements, yet I refrained from turning to meet her gaze.


    ¡°Can¡­ I¡­ borrow your jacket?¡± she stammered, her voice timid and the request carrying a gentle plea.


    ¡°Well, this could serve as a lesson to you that wearing fancy and cute dresses isn¡¯t always practical,¡± I chided her gently as I took off my jacket. I had a long-sleeve shirt underneath, so it worked out fine. And I noticed she clearly needed it. I was starting to feel guilty. Those mosquitos are really keen on making her miserable.


    ¡°Yeah, thanks, Mum. Hope you¡¯re satisfied,¡± she replied with a hint of sarcasm, waving her hand dismissively. She let out a sigh of relief as she put it on.


    ¡°Ahh, this feels a lot better,¡± she sighed with satisfaction, nestled in the warmth of the borrowed jacket.


    ¡°Still no response?¡± Vienna asked as she nced at her wristwatch near me.


    ¡°Nothing at all,¡± I responded with a touch of despair. My hope was gradually losing.


    We had spent thest few hours sending signals, trying everything we could to reach Monsieur. Unfortunately, our attempts had gone unanswered. I even resorted to using Morse code out of sheer desperation. However, it seemed that our signals hadn¡¯t reached him, leaving us both feeling exhausted and drained. It was increasingly likely we would spend the night here, with dawn slowly approaching.


    ¡°What if they don¡¯t answer?¡± She inquired with an air of innocence, sounding frustrated and looking for guidance and answers in a state of uncertainty.


    I couldn¡¯t answer her question. I don¡¯t know, for I, too, was trapped in doubt. The North was firmly under Lucian¡¯s control, every inch and structure is a shred of clear evidence of his authority. Even the snow seemed to bend to his will.


    Getting out of here on our own was an impractical feat, nearly impossible without external help. Even if our signals managed to reach Monsieur, getting us out of here would likely take a considerable amount of time. Entering and exiting the North was a challenging task for him. He may have countless assassins under hismand, but Lucian had his own array of forces ready for his beck and call.


    The Southerners wouldn¡¯t win in a face-off battle, especially not here in the North. This was Lucian¡¯s stronghold, where his strength was at its peak.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your father is doing everything he can right now,¡± I begrudgingly admitted. Although I despise Monsieur with every single strand of my hair, his love for Vienna can¡¯t be ignored.


    ¡°Remember, he¡¯s your father too, no matter how much you deny it,¡± Vienna teased gently, her tone carrying a mixture of yful taunt and genuine sincerity.


    ¡°Not in my heart or not even on paper,¡± my response was definitive, rejecting our blood ties.


    ¡°Yeah, you can deny it as much as you want. But blood screams louder, and fate even yed crudely as our faces resembled each other,¡± she whispered softly, a poignant reminder of a connection that exceeded mere feelings.


    The painful truth pierced through me, causing my teeth to clench together tightly.


    ¡°Blood means nothing nowadays,¡± I said, gritting my teeth.


    ¡°A bond easily shed, like spilled liquid,¡± I added with a hint of sarcasm, highlighting the fleeting nature of this connection.


    ¡°Familial bonds endure even the harshest trials,¡± her response was measured, her words deliberate as she emphasised the term.


    ¡°Family? An idea that holds little weight,¡± I scoffed, my tone dripping with disdain.


    ¡°Familial connection means nothing, Vienna. Your emphasis on blood connection is merely a facade,¡± I dismissed her idea of the shared kin.


    ¡°You know what I mean,¡± she murmured, her voice barely audible.


    ¡°We were never a family, Vienna. You made that clear all my life,¡± I retorted, my response swift. The echoes of her actions, words, and treatment towards me were a constant reminder that she held a deep hatred for me.


    ¡°No, we¡¯re not entirely a family,¡± she firmly stated.


    ¡°We share a bloodline, but the sisterly bond is missing,¡± she added with a sharp finality.


    ¡°At least not in our hearts,¡± I conceded, acknowledging the truth she conveyed.


    ¡°If you despise him so intensely, why did youe with me? Why are you doing this?¡± Her question hung in the air while locking her eyes on me.


    ¡°I have my reasons,¡± I replied casually, attempting to mask the difficulties beneath the surface.


    ¡°Are you nning to kill him?¡± She smirked as she shot back the question. Her voice carried caution. I looked at her nkly. She stared into my eyes as if trying to gauge their intensity.


    ¡°I won¡¯t rob my mother and Lucian of the satisfaction of seeing Remus¡¯ lifeless body,¡± I said with a sharp edge, my words carrying resentment.


    ¡°I think you¡¯re lying,¡± she countered, her tone confident.


    ¡°Your life has been clouded by deception, Cercei. It¡¯s time for honesty to open your mind,¡± she briefly uttered as if she thought I was being glib.


    Her words struck a chord, though I didn¡¯t disy how they affected me.


    ¡°I have a deep hatred for your father, Vienna,¡± I ground my teeth as I responded to her.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re incapable of hating someone, Cercei,¡± she snapped back. She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest.


    ¡°A few nights ago, you didn¡¯t think I could knock you out either,¡± I countered, raising my eyebrows in response. She red at me, which elicited a wide grin from me.


    ¡°Hate is too strong for you, Cercei. Your innocent heart can¡¯t handle it,¡± she taunted.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. My entire soul hates him, not just my heart,¡± I replied with a sarcastic smile.


    ¡°Believe what you want,¡± she shrugged, igniting a spark of irritation from me.


    ¡°After all you¡¯ve put us through, you still doubt my hatred? Your father heartlessly tore out my father¡¯s heart, stomped on it, raped my mother several times, made us servants, andter imed to love us! Do you think I still have a heart to forgive him? What a shame!¡± My voice rose, my heart pounding with an intensity as if it were about to burst from my chest.


    ¡°You can¡¯t hate him, Cercei. He¡¯s still your father. No matter how hard you try to deny it or hate him,¡± she insisted, as if she had me all figured out.


    ¡°Well, I do now!¡± I stubbornly dered, my fists clenched in anger.

 Chapter 110: The Traitor

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Well, I do now,¡± I repeated, cing extra emphasis on my words as I gazed at her.


    Despite her strong desire to speak, she tightly sealed her lips. I hugged my knees and shifted my focus to the dancing mes in front of us. The first light of dawn was breaking, and sleep remained a far-off hope. Even if we yearned for it, it remained out of reach.


    Who could even think of sleep when the entire army of Northerners and Southerners relentlessly trailed us?


    ¡°So, you¡¯re going to kill him?¡± She finally broke the silence with her question.


    I shifted my gaze to her, keenly observing her reaction. Was I going to end Monsieur¡¯s life? As I had stated earlier, I didn¡¯t want to rob my mother or Lucian of that satisfaction. Monsieur had caused me pain throughout my life, but it was nothingpared to the suffering he had inflicted on Mam¨¤ and Lucian.


    In the end, we all shared the same burning desire, to dig out his heart and stop its beat. That was the ultimate goal, and I believed that once he was gone, the details of how it was aplished, by whom, and in what manner would be insignificant.


    But was this truly what I desired? To be a murderer? I loathed him for taking my father¡¯s life, and I nned to end his life for the sake of revenge. However, how would that set me apart from him? After investing so much energy in convincing others that I was nothing like him, that I was better than him, was I now about to abandon that stance?


    Am I truly better? Do I genuinely want to be better? I¡¯m certain that his death will make me better.


    ¡°I grew to hate my father after learning about your existence, but he is still my father,¡± She spat out the words with venom.


    ¡°My mission is to bring you to him, no matter the circumstances. But if you entertain the thought ofying a hand on him, I¡¯ll be the one to end your life,¡± She dered sharply. I responded with a feeble scoff.


    ¡°Your mission is to bring me back to him?¡± I repeated her words, seeking further rification. She maintained her firm gaze without uttering a word.


    ¡°Why do you think he wants you to bring me to him?¡± I asked mockingly, tilting my head to the side. Her breathing quickened, growing heavier with anger. My grin widened, provoking her further.


    ¡°Come on, Vienna,¡± I provoked her, acutely aware of her short temper.


    ¡°Who knows, maybe he wants to kill you to erase the sin he made?¡± she snapped. I couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle, which only seemed to fuel her anger further.


    ¡°And here I thought I was the only denier,¡± I murmured, shaking my head.


    ¡°Seems like denial runs in our blood,¡± I teased her further.


    In an instant, she sprang to her feet, forcefully pushing me down. She moved with such swiftness and pinned me down with considerable weight, a clear indication that my words had hit a nerve. Her hands mped around my neck as Iy on my back, and she sat on top of me, choking my breath.


    Even in this unexpected turn of events, a faint smile came onto my face. Her grip grew tighter, making my breath a difficult struggle.


    ¡°So, you must realise it,¡± I managed to utter, but my voice sounded strained.


    ¡°You may have had your moment in your boyfriend¡¯s basement, but believe me, you won¡¯t win me over,¡± she dered, and her tone was firm. I tried tough, but it came out as a cough.


    Gathering every ounce of strength I could muster, I twisted her hand around my throat, then kicked her away using my feet. The force of my action flung her aside, but she appeared unaffected by the impact. She tried to attack me again, but I quickly stopped her.


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure your beloved Daddy won¡¯t be pleased if you hurt me,¡± I pouted, reminding her the truth. She growled harshly under her breath. Her eyes suddenly underwent a chilling transformation, changing in colour, her ws emerged, and her fangs bared themselves menacingly. She was on the verge of attacking me again when the tracker interrupted us with its insistent beeping.


    We both turned our attention to it, the red light pulsing incessantly, apanied by a simultaneous sound.


    ¡°Morse code?¡± I asked. Vienna nodded.


    ¡°Write it down,¡± I ordered quickly.


    Vienna followed and quickly wrote it on the ground. While my knowledge of Morse code was limited, Vienna had been trained tomunicate in thisnguage, and she effortlessly decoded it.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    The beeping was short. I suppose they made their message very concise.


    ¡°What does it say?¡± I asked Vienna as she gazed at the dots and dashes she had written on the ground.


    ¡°They want us to make our way to the Hightowers.  Lord Drogo is already waiting for us. He¡¯ll be the one to help us,¡± she dered.


    ¡°Lord Drogo Hightower?¡± I asked, my eyebrows furrowing, giving her a serious look.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. Traitors can be found everywhere in this world,¡± she snapped, rolling her eyes in exasperation.


    Lord Drogo was a member of Lucian¡¯s council. I had encountered him during my time at Lucian¡¯s mansion. There was something about him that was never quite trustworthy; a subtle darkness lurked in his eyes, and his smiles held an eerie intent.


    ¡°Do you know the way to the Hightowers?¡± I inquired briefly.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll find out once we get there; their towers are known to be quite tall,¡± she replied, dripping with sarcasm.


    I took a deep breath. The idea of receiving help on our journey to escape the North and return to the South was undeniably convenient. However, knowing that a traitor was inside Lucian¡¯s inner circle weighed heavily on my mind.


    Lucian was no fool, but he ced great faith in his council members. He believed in the importance of trusting allies to defeat their enemies. How long had Lord Drogo been under Monsieur¡¯s influence? I clenched my teeth in anger.


    That fucking traitor!


    ¡°Let¡¯s rest for a while; we¡¯ll set out after sunrise. We have to rest even for a bit,¡± Vienna suggested, lying down on the ground.


    My heart is pounding hard for Lucian. I was anxious about his safety. What other schemes might Lord Drogo be capable of? He could harm Lucian if he wished to. He knew the ns and even attended all the meetings. Even though he was supposed to be the one helping us escape from this continent, I couldn¡¯t suppress the urge to beat him to death.


    House Hightower had betrayed the Reds. I wondered how Lucian would react when he discovered this betrayal. Would he disy their heads on spikes, strip their flesh from their bones, or condemn them to a lifetime of perpetual imprisonment?


    Any of those would serve him right. A traitor deserves no mercy.

 Chapter 111: Pleasure To Meet You Again

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Vienna had managed to grab a few precious hours of sleep while I remained wide-eyed, lost in my thoughts.


    Gratitude has always been my response to those who lend a hand, but suddenly I¡¯ve been harbouring an intense desire to strangle that vile Drogo, who had the audacity to betray the North.


    Our situation had be dire. An entire day had gone by without a single food or a sip of water, leaving my throat as dry as the desert sands and my legs trembling like a leaf in the wind. Nheless, there was no ce for drama. The sooner we reached the Hightowers, the sooner this nightmare woulde to an end.


    The Hightower stronghold was just a short distance from our current location. Rumour had it that his castle nestled beneath the tallest peak. We were already in the middle of the mountains; we only needed to locate the tallest one.


    As Vienna had mentioned, it should be easy to find them. Their towers, after all, scraped the heavens.


    Normally, I wouldn¡¯t easily grow tired or weakened, but my legs were dangerously close to giving in. My head throbbed, and my stomach twisted in agony. Good Lord! Thebination of an empty belly and biting snow was truly terrible.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Finally, my legs gave in, and I tumbled to my knees. Vienna halted and turned to face me.


    She grabbed my arms, pulling them around her shoulders to help me rise. I struggled, but I was too weak even to help myself.


    ¡°Come on, we¡¯re nearly there,¡± she grunted, struggling to bear my weight.


    ¡°Could we take a short break? I need to gather some strength,¡± I said faintly, leaning against a fallen tree for support.


    Vienna sighed in agreement.


    I clutched my stomach as an unexpected surge of pain coursed through me.


    ¡°Ahh!¡± I cried out.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Vienna inquired, holding me steady.


    I couldn¡¯t respond; the pain left me in helpless cries and agonized screams.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? I¡¯m not a fucking doctor, bitch! Tell me what¡¯s wrong!¡± Vienna asked in frantic distress, unsure of where to hold me.


    The torment persisted for what seemed like an eternity, but gradually, it began to lessen. Tears still welled up in my eyes as I tried to recover from the ordeal. I am on the verge of passing out.


    ¡°You need to eat something,¡± she suggested. I shut my eyes, leaning heavily against the tree behind me.


    ¡°Cers,¡± Vienna tried to call my name.


    I couldn¡¯t muster the strength to respond. Hunting was well beyond my current abilities, and I was too weak to transform into my wolf form.


    ¡°Fine, stay here. I¡¯ll go hunt for some food for us,¡± I could sense her getting up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave, okay?¡± She whispered. I was too weak to even raise my eyebrows in response.


    I used to be somewhat athletic; what¡¯s happened to me now?


    I couldn¡¯t determine how long Vienna was gone, but she returned holding bunnies in hand.


    ¡°Here,¡± she offered me one. It was lifeless, blood staining its neck. I could do nothing but stare at it.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I mumbled weakly, reaching for it but my hand trembled mid-reach.


    She annoyedly shut her eyes, tearing the bunny apart with her ws and taking a small piece. To my surprise, she fed it to me. Too weak to disy any emotion, I merely watched her hand.


    ¡°Open your goddamn mouth,¡± she ordered harshly. I obeyed and allowed her to feed me.


    I admit it was helpful. Even if I wanted to, I couldn¡¯t manage to feed myself. I could hardly even chew. Fortunately, Vienna was there to help me.


    After our meal, we rested for a while. I still needed to regain my strength. I fell asleep while Vienna remained vignt, guarding us. We are in the middle of a mountain, and who knows what lurking predators lie ahead.


    ****


    I¡¯m not sure how long I was asleep, but when I woke up, I felt slightly better. My headache and stomach ache had both subsided. I now had a small amount of strength, enough to travel the remaining distance to our destination.


    ¡°Good, you¡¯re awake,¡± Vienna acknowledged when she noticed my movement.


    ¡°We have to keep going before it gets dark,¡± she dered, rising to her feet.


    Vienna was right; we can¡¯t risk travelling in the dark. It would be too dangerous, even if we use our wolf forms.


    Every now and then, helicopters pass overhead, undoubtedly searching for us. It¡¯s Lucian¡¯s men, without a doubt. He¡¯s on our trail; it¡¯s been two days since we left.


    Each time a helicopter flew by, we had to stop and hide under a tree or in dense bushes. Getting caught was not an option, especially when we were so close to our destination.


    ¡°Hightower,¡± Vienna said as we observed the towers from a distance. They truly lived up to their name; they were incredibly tall. The bricks were crafted from stone, disying shades of grey and ck. It soared so high that it seemed to almost touch the sky. I couldn¡¯t help but admire the sight.


    ¡°It must be quitevish to live there,¡± Imented in awe.


    ¡°Who¡¯d want to live  on a freaking mountain?¡± Vienna scoffed, rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± I disregarded her taunting and urged her forward.


    Upon arriving at the gate, we encountered guards who stood as motionless as statues, bringing back memories of Lucian¡¯s guards at the mansion.


    ¡°I am Vienna of Crescent Pack. We are here as guests of Lord Drogo,¡± she dered with authority. It was my first time seeing this side of Vienna, like a dominant female Alpha. The guard saluted and ushered us inside.


    Servants were lined up in formation as we passed, each one bowing in unison. I saw myself mirrored in their actions, recalling how we used to do the same whenever Monsieur entertained guests.


    The interior of the towers was as magnificent as their exterior. Vintage drapes and banners decorated every corner. Their emblem, a ck tower crowned with a me, was a recurring motif. At the far end of the room, Lord Drogo sat on a high-backed chair with a carpet beneath it, probably for those who knelt before him.


    Vienna and I approached him, nked by his guards and servants. He shifted his gaze from Vienna to me, a smile ying on his lips. That smile had always sent shivers down my spine.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    I clenched my teeth in response.


    ¡°Lord Drogo, Ie in my father¡¯s name,¡± Vienna bowed her head as a sign of respect. I, however, kept my head held high, locking eyes with him.


    ¡°You know my loyalty is with your father, Lady Vienna,¡± he directed his words at Vienna but kept his gaze fixed on me, observing me closely.


    My fists tightened with anger as I stared him down in silence.


    ¡°And is this your sister?¡± He pretended to ask.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Vienna responded, her teeth clenched as if it pained her to say so. I nced at her smugly.


    ¡°A pleasure to meet you again, My Lady,¡± he emphasised the word ¡®again¡¯ as he spoke.

 Chapter 112: I鈥檒l Play Nice

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you again, My Lady,¡± the way he entuated the word ¡®again¡¯ with a sly grin grated on my nerves. Nevertheless, I dared not offer even the faintest hint of displeasure. After all, here we were, inside his territory, asking for his help.


    There was not a single word that escaped my lips; not even a flicker of my brows betrayed my thoughts. The only thing stered on my face right now is seriousness as I scrutinized him closely, searching for any distinctions that set us apart.


    Holding negative thoughts about him and passing judgement while we were both involved in simr schemes felt a bit self-centred. Deep down, my loyalty still belonged to Lucian,  making me feel less treacherous than him. However, iming this loyalty seemed feeble after everything I¡¯d done secretly, running away and betraying Lucian once more.


    Still, my blood boiled at the mere sight of Lord Drogo. A traitor to the North!


    ¡°I assumed you both must be tired from your journey. Escaping the Red Mansion must have been quite a challenge, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± he taunted boldly. Anger gnawed at me as my teeth clenched.


    ¡°Yes, it was,¡± I quickly replied. ¡°You¡¯ve been there many times. I¡¯m sure you noticed how heavily guarded it is.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but respond, and I detected a hint of amusement on his face as he tilted his head slightly.


    ¡°Oh, yes, I¡¯ve been there a few times,¡± he replied with a double meaning, maintaining eye contact and wearing a fake smile, or so I thought. My fists had clenched without me realising it, but Vienna steadied it with her grip.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    I turned to look at her, her eyes silently urging restraint. And so, I acquiesced, inhaling deeply to regain myposure.


    ¡°Yes, Lord Drogo, we are indeed tired and would greatly appreciate some rest,¡± Vienna spoke with unruffledposure.


    ¡°As you wish, mydy,¡± he gestured toward his group of servants, who quickly gathered before us.


    ¡°Escort Alpha Remus¡¯s daughters to their rooms and ensure theirfort,¡± hemanded, and they nodded in unison before ushering us away.


    The gaze between Lord Drogo and me remained unbroken throughout this exchange, even as Vienna began to lead me away.


    ¡°Put on a fucking fa?ade of nice behavior,¡± she hissed, her words urgent and scolding me.


    ¡°He¡¯s a traitor!¡± I hissed back.


    Vienna cast a furtive nce around to check if the servants were listening, but they all had their heads bowed, trailing behind us. She remained silent and followed suit.


    They ushered us into a spacious room illuminated by emerald-hued crystals, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. A massive crystalline structure in the room¡¯s center stood among the unfamiliar objects. Could it possibly serve as a seat? How could anyone findfort on such an unconventional throne?


    Lord Drogo, a member of Northern royalty, possessed immense wealth, causing him to betray Lucian. A hidden tension knotted my jaw as I contemted the audacity of someone inside Lucian¡¯s territory, a possible threat to him. Could it be that he desired to seize the throne and lead the North if Lucian failed to be a great Alpha King?


    ¡°Hey, what are you thinking?¡± Vienna whispered near my ear, which wrenched me back to the present.


    ¡°Nothing, just a bit tired,¡± I replied quickly without looking at her.


    ¡°Pull yourself together, Cercei. We¡¯re here now, and Lord Drogo promised to assist us until we escape Northern territory,¡± Vienna¡¯s voice held a harsh edge.


    I stayed silent until we entered the room they had provided.


    Inside the room, two grand beds stood beside ornate tables, a luxurious bathroom, and a breathtaking panoramic view. Under different circumstances, it would have been a ce of wonder and joy.


    ¡°Leave us,¡± Vienna instructed the servants. As soon as the door closed behind us, she approached me swiftly.


    ¡°What the hell was that, Cercei?¡± she started, her tone frustrated. I rolled my eyes and strode away, wanting to rest by one of the beds closer to the window.


    ¡°He¡¯s a traitor,¡± I retorted as if it were the definitive answer she wanted to hear.


    ¡°He¡¯s the one helping us!¡± Vienna shot back, her voice strained, teeth clenched.


    ¡°He¡¯s not doing it out of kindness; it¡¯s for your father,¡± I quickly replied in a loud voice. Lord Drogo is no fool nor a saint. I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s disloyal to the North, but one thing¡¯s for sure: he wants power from the South to defeat Lucian.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We must maintain politeness,¡± she growled, clearly vexed by my attitude. For the nth time, I rolled my eyes and perched myself on the bed.


    ¡°I am ying the part of ¡®nice.¡¯ If I weren¡¯t, his heart would already be separate from his body,¡± I stated with chilling detachment.


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? You¡¯re supposed to be theposed andpassionate one,¡± she uttered, her disappointment was noticeable, striking me to the core.


    I couldn¡¯t believe what I¡¯d just said. I¡¯m not usually this irritable. What¡¯s happening to me?


    ¡°Fine! Do as you wish,¡± I gave up, looking tired.


    ¡°I¡¯ll y nice,¡± I added swiftly, at least until this ordeal ended.


    ¡°Good,¡± she sighed and retreated to the bathroom.


    I gazed at the closed bathroom door, a musing smile curling my lips at how the roles had reversed. Now, Vienna was theposed and level-headed one while I became stubborn.


    Meanwhile, I pondered why I was easily annoyed and constantly angry. I¡¯d also be more sensitivetely, experiencing frequent headaches and asional stomach aches. I often fell ill, especially in the mornings or when exposed to unpleasant odours, like the overwhelming scent of food that recently bothered me.


    I lowered myself gently onto the soft bed, appreciating this one aspect of our surroundings. This expansive, cloud-like, feather-strewn bed was the sole pleasing part of our dire situation.


    It felt all the more luxurious, considering I had spent the past two days sleeping on literal tree roots. The sensation of the mattress enveloping my tired body was simr to being cradled by the heavens.


    It didn¡¯t take long until I waspletely asleep. My entire existence shut off as I fell into a deep sleep.

 Chapter 113: Waging War

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    I haven¡¯t had a wink of sleep in the past few days. Not even a short nap; I doubt I¡¯ve even blinked. I¡¯ve beenpletely focused on finding her, unable to spare even a second for rest.


    No one has bothered me, and no one has dared to tell me to take a break. Not that I would have listened.


    I made a vow to the Moon Goddess that I wouldn¡¯t lose her again, and yet, I did.


    She never seems to learn.


    ¡°Mission Report,¡± Frank spoke sternly and with a hint of coldness, a  bit more different than his usual demeanour.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t received any news about Ms. Cercei or our men who were chasing them, and Ms. Maria¡­¡± He paused as if struggling to say thest name.


    I recognized that look on Frank¡¯s face; it mirrored my own. It seems I¡¯m not the only one left behind.


    ¡°Gather our men and the North emblems. We¡¯llunch an attack on the next full moon,¡± I dered, looking fierce.


    Although tired and restless, Frank¡¯s shocked expression didn¡¯t escape my notice. He became visibly tense at my impulsive decision.


    ¡°Sire¡­¡± He began, addressing me as if trying to bring me back to reason. I pressed my lips together and leaned back in my chair.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± I murmured, clenching my jaw. She¡¯s in the clutches of her monstrous father, carrying my child. I can¡¯t sit idly by and wait for her return or order my men to get her back.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t secured full support from all the North Lords,¡± Frank quickly reminded me. My jaw clenched again. Right, there are traitors lurking inside my council.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need traitors lurking behind our backs!¡± I retorted loudly.


    Surely, we can wage this war without them, and afterward, I¡¯ll ensure to destroy them next.


    ¡°Miss Cercei is in their hands; what if they use her against us?¡± Frank pointed out the harsh reality.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°She¡¯s in their hands, which is precisely why we¡¯re raising the damn war g, Frank!¡± My patience had already worn thin.


    ¡°Are you questioning me?¡± I asked coldly, not feeling insulted but asserting my authority.


    ¡°No!¡± His response was firm, devoid of the earlier doubts.


    ¡°The next full moon is a week away. Ensure all the troops are prepared,¡± I ordered.


    He simply nodded before departing.


    My father had warned me about this, saying that love makes you foolish. Is this truly a foolish decision?


    Is it foolish tounch a war to get back the mother of my child and my heir? No, it¡¯s not. Foolishness was allowing them to slip through my fingers.


    She¡¯s in a vulnerable state now, carrying an heir, yet she dared to run away.


    I admit I share some me. I shut downpletely when I first heard the news of her pregnancy. I was a fool to let emotions overwhelm me. I thought I had trained all my life to be as cold as necessary, as disying emotion is a sign of weakness that my enemies could exploit. That¡¯s why I spent my life perfecting the art of concealing it.


    However, it seems I wasn¡¯t prepared enough. I never even considered receiving such news; it didn¡¯t cross my mind once. I never expected to be blessed with an heir so soon. The horrors of my past still haunt my present, and how did the Moon Goddess decide that I am worthy of bing a father?


    ****


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Emilia asked, standing before me. I raised my gaze to meet her eyes; Cercei inherited her eyes, same colour, same shape, with a hint of devilry.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this what we¡¯ve been preparing for?¡± I raised my eyebrows in response.


    She took a seat in front of me, looking entirely different from her time in Remus¡¯ mansion. Besides no longer wearing servant¡¯s attire, she exuded strength and control.


    ¡°You¡¯ve won every war you¡¯ve ever fought,¡± Imended her recent victory. It wasn¡¯t a question or statement, more a deration of fact. I took a sip of the vodka straight from the ss I held.


    ¡°This war is different,¡± her voice dripped with seriousness, almost a warning.


    ¡°Yes, it is. The stakes are higher now. I¡¯m not fighting just because I want to; I¡¯m fighting because I have to. Losing is not an option.¡±


    ¡°We may not win,¡± she dered, reminding me of the impending great war. I chuckled in response.


    ¡°I never knew you were a pessimist,¡± I grinned at her.


    ¡°Remus is a tough enemy and influential,¡± she quickly exined, tapping her fingers on the table.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t I?¡± I boasted.


    ¡°He has my daughter,¡± she said, locking eyes with me.


    ¡°He has my mate,¡± I poured another ss and offered it to her. She stared at it as it slid closer.


    ¡°And the mother of my child,¡± I added calmly.


    I could feel her gaze intensify. I stood up to retrieve another bottle from the cab, sensing her eyes on my back.


    ¡°What?¡± she eximed in shock as I returned. I looked at her; her lips were pale, her eyes wide, and she was breathing heavily.


    I popped the bottle open with my finger and took a drink.


    ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, surprise!¡± I raised both my arms slightly. Her jaw dropped to the floor as if she weren¡¯t already shocked.


    ¡°She¡¯s what?¡± she asked, wanting to confirm my deration. She seemed bbergasted.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be a grandma, yay!¡± I tried to sound humorous and disyed an embarrassed smile.


    She stood up abruptly and took a big step closer to me. She gripped my cor so hard that I thought she might ruin the world¡¯s finest fabric.


    ¡°She¡¯s what?¡± she repeated more forcefully.


    ¡°Pregnant¡­¡± I whispered, still smiling.


    ¡°How many bottles have you drunk?¡± She nced at the bottle in my hand, trying to divert the topic.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how that¡¯s rted to your previous question¡­¡± I began, but she tightened her grip, and I almost choked.


    ¡°I think a few bottles¡­¡± I smiled, struggling to breathe.


    ¡°Stop this joke,¡± She released me, sending me stumbling backward and causing me to drop the bottle, shattering it on the floor.


    ¡°You¡¯re drunk,¡± she said, sounding almost disappointed.


    ¡°No!¡± I took a step, realizing toote that she was right. Damn, my head was spinning.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, in pain, holding my head.


    ¡°You¡¯re waging a war while drunk, Lucian,¡± she gritted her teeth, looking at me seriously.


    ¡°No!¡± I firmly insisted. I wasn¡¯t drunk when I made the decision to start the war.


    ¡°Lucian, this is a serious matter,¡± she approached me again, holding both my shoulders and urging me to look at her.


    I doubted it was the best idea at the moment, considering my vision wasn¡¯t at its best.


    ¡°She left me again,¡± I said sadly, my voice breaking slightly. I cleared my throat.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t I worth staying for?¡± I asked her, looking into her eyes. She appeared doubled in my vision, probably because of the vodka.


    ¡°This has happened twice already,¡± I added, sliding down to the floor, tears beginning to well up in my eyes. She knelt down in an attempt to catch me, but I was simply too big and heavy.


    ¡°Oh, child,¡± she almost sounded like my Mom, pulling me into her arms as we both sat on the floor.

 Chapter 114: Mission Complete

    Vienna¡¯s POV


    Missionplete.


    Failure wasn¡¯t something that defined me, and that¡¯s why we¡¯re now thousands of miles away from Cercei¡¯s beloved mate.


    Lord Drogo, a man of considerable influence and connections, had orchestrated our swift journey from the Northern territory toward the Southern sanctuary. For him, the art of maniption was as effortless as lifting a finger.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Our stay in hisvish mansion had been brief, just a day to recharge before the next leg of our journey. Lord Drogo provided us with a capable crew and a serviceable ship. We had to travel by water because the skies were under strict surveince, as Lucian¡¯s men were tracking us down. And even though the seas were closely guarded, Lord Drogo had already made his strategic moves.


    The ship he provided was smaller and less extravagant than what I was used to, back home, but it was sufficient. I had grown tired of the North¡¯s cold, and my heart yearned for the warmth of the South.


    Turning my attention to Cercei, who had been battling the waves since we set foot on the ship, I couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°We¡¯re not even halfway there, and you¡¯ve already puked hard for a couple of hours.¡±


    Cercei¡¯s face showed difort as she asked, ¡°Can¡¯t this ship go any faster?¡±


    I shook my head, my lips pursed with sympathy, ¡°This isn¡¯t a luxury cruiser, Cercei. It¡¯s the swiftest option we can move.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± She muttered, cursing quietly, before returning to her queasy ordeal.


    I offered her a nod of understanding and left her alone.


    In her eagerness to leave, I sensed her growing resentment toward Lord Drogo. Her gaze and words had be unusually stern towards our benefactor. Even in these difficult circumstances, she had courageously defied him.


    Though her behaviour might have been irritating, I preferred this spirited version of her over the sweet, innocent, and fragile Cercei a few years ago.


    But it hardly mattered; her strength would fade long before our journey¡¯s end. I couldn¡¯t understand why she had insisted oning with me, considering the dangerous path ahead.


    It certainly made my task easier. My initial thought had been that there might be more to my predicament than just my imprisonment inside that dreadful ss cell. Yet, as time passed, it became clear that Cercei remained the same stupid girl I had always known.


    Or did she?


    She had shown fierceness and an untamed spirit, but regardless of her intentions, victory was not within her reach. Even the most foolish creature wouldn¡¯t challenge the mightiest predator. Scheming an attack on my father would be suicide. She couldn¡¯t wish for her own death, especially now that the love of her life was at her feet.


    ¡°Miss, your sister¡­¡± The words from one of the men cut through my thoughts, causing me to react instinctively and hurry to Cercei.


    I saw her clinging to the ship¡¯s railings as if her life hung in the bnce, her stomach contents spurting into the boundless ocean below.


    Gently, I held her trembling shoulders and turned her to face me. She was ashen, her skin drained of colour, and her hands were cold and quivering.


    ¡°Cercei!¡± I called out, concerned about her condition. She had barely eaten, and her constant vomiting puzzled me.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I called her again. She finally faced me, but her strength wilted, and she copsed onto the deck, her back against the chilly metal of the railings.


    ¡°The ocean smells like fish,¡± she uttered weakly.


    I furrowed my brows in bewilderment. ¡°What?¡± I queried, taken aback.


    ¡°It stinks!¡± She repeated feebly.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I inwardly cursed. Of course, the fucking ocean stank; it was an ocean, for fuck¡¯s sake, not a bottle of perfume.


    ¡°And the leaves,¡± she murmured in an even softer tone. I could barely hear her.


    ¡°The what?¡± I moved closer so I could hear her.


    ¡°The leaves,¡± she tried to raise her voice.


    ¡°The leaves?¡± I echoed and was baffled.


    ¡°They stink,¡± she whispered. Her small voice barely reached my ears.


    I scanned our surroundings. We were hundreds of miles from anyndmass, surrounded only by the vast expanse of water. There were no leaves in sight.


    ¡°Are you losing your mind?¡± I asked, my annoyance creeping to the fore.


    Cercei remained unresponsive, her head slumping against my chest, and I realized she had lost consciousness.


    I swiftly directed the men to carry her to her cabin. Excessive vomiting had clearly drained all her energy, and she hadn¡¯t even managed to eat a single bit of food.


    ¡°Take her to her room and prepare some soup for her when she wakes up,¡± I instructed firmly.


    ¡°Yes, Miss,¡± one of the servants replied with a respectful bow.


    ¡°Also, I want us to increase our speed,¡± I ordered, my tone leaving no room for disagreement. It wasn¡¯t a mere request; it was amand.


    Only a day had passed since we left the North, and Cercei was on the brink of physical copse. Our return home wouldn¡¯t happen soon. The idea of bringing her lifeless body to my father sent a chill down my spine, and I yearned for theforts of luxury.


    It had been a month since I¡¯dst savoured the scent ofvender or enjoyed the embrace of rich fabrics. I longed for my dresses, my shoes, and my bags.


    Oh, what I wouldn¡¯t give to wrap myself with those fineries again.


    No doubt, my father would be immensely proud of my sess. My mission had been aplished easily, albeit dyed, as Lucian imprisoned me for almost a month. If I had been free, I was certain it would have taken only a week.


    Knowing Cercei¡¯s character, she¡¯ll want to meet her father, forgive him for all the wrongs, and ept him immediately.


    I scoffed at the thought, typical Cercei.


    I wonder how Lucian is reacting to all of this. Cercei mentioned that Maria helped her get to my room without any guards or cameras in the way. I don¡¯t know how she managed it, but it required skill.


    Cercei¡¯s actions were treacherous; she betrayed her best friend and escaped with me, the prisoner. I¡¯m sure Lucian is furious and seeking revenge at this moment. He¡¯ll despise her and do anything to retaliate.


    His anger will make him vulnerable and lead to his defeat. Once Daddy takes everything from him and strips him of his titles and properties, I might ask if I can keep him.


    I¡¯m sure he¡¯lle to like me as time passes, and we can start anew. I¡¯ll be the Alpha, and he can be my mate. We could be happy together.

 Chapter 115: A Torture

    Cercei¡¯s POVN?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    If there¡¯s a single word that can describe the entire ordeal that followed our daring escape, it¡¯s ¡®torture.¡¯


    It¡¯s fucking painful to sleep under the roof of a traitor and sail through the foul-smelling ocean, with the air filled with the scent of leaves.


    The ship we used wasn¡¯t the biggest or the most high-tech, so it took us weeks to arrive at our destination. We had to keep a low profile to avoid drawing attention. We can¡¯t use a shiny ship to leave the North; we¡¯d be caught and brought back in less than a minute.


    The first day was pure hell, with each minute and hour filled with difort. However, as time passed, my body adapted, as it always does.


    It wasn¡¯t just the odour that made me sick, but the continuous rocking of the waves. Their severe force buffeted our ship, causing me a constant sense of nausea.


    ¡°Are you feeling better now?¡± inquired Vienna, her tone surprisingly tender.


    I nodded, my response almost invisible.


    Vienna, who has been a monster my whole life, had recently earned my begrudging appreciation. I couldn¡¯t be sure if it was all an act, a scheme to trap me in some sinister n, but the truth was, I no longer cared.


    This aspect of her character, emerging during these challenging weeks, was entirely new to me. I never witnessed this attitude of her while living in the mansion or during our encounter in Dinan¡¯s.


    Who would¡¯ve thought it would take a journey full of torture to get us to be close together as half-siblings?


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured atst, breaking a long silence. I then quickly averted my eyes, fixing them on the vast expanse above and the radiant stars illuminating the night sky. I didn¡¯t spare her a nce anymore.


    Tomorrow, we¡¯ll reach the South. Remus¡¯ presence is near, just one night¡¯s journey from the shore. The thought restored my determination, marking the end of this difficult journey.


    Once this ordeal ended, my first priority would be a week-long rest. However, I doubted that even seven days of uninterrupted sleep could fully replenish my strength.


    ¡°For looking out for me,¡± I added when she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the same star canvas.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± she replied briefly. I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her response. She¡¯s the same old Vienna I knew. Her reluctance to acknowledge any humane act she¡¯d performed was persistent. Her ¡®bitchy witch¡¯ demeanour held such force that admitting to any kindness seemed to cause her genuine difort.


    ¡°You did,¡± I persisted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Why would I bother taking care of you? I couldn¡¯t care less if you were to jump off these railings,¡± she retorted, her hand gripping the railings in a dramatic manner.


    Iughed at her tant denial. ¡°Lying is bad, you know,¡± I teased, my grin broadening.


    She rolled her eyes, but a sly smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying her true emotions.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be arriving tomorrow,¡± she stated as if she hadn¡¯t repeated these words countless times in recent days. I nodded once more, the anticipation building within me.


    ¡°I miss my old life,¡± she confessed out of the blue.


    ¡°I don¡¯t miss the old you, though,¡± I shot back, my strong courage allowing me to confront her those years of enduring her harsh attitude.


    ¡°Why were you such a bitch?¡± I added, finally pointing out another unkind aspect of her behavior.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t like you,¡± she dered tly.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t?¡± I arched an eyebrow, emphasizing the past tense of her choice of words.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like you,¡± she corrected, but her expression showed a hint of amusement.


    ¡°Why do you tolerate me now?¡± I insisted, casting a sidelong nce in her direction.


    For the umpteenth time, she rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± I acquiesced, not entirely convinced by her words. Whether she liked me or not, the fact that she didn¡¯t despise me as brutally as before was a small victory.


    ¡°I miss home,¡± she murmured, her eyes fixed on the endless expanse of sea.


    Bitterness welled up in my heart as I swallowed the words I wanted to say. There wasn¡¯t a single ce on this I could truly call home.


    ¡°You don¡¯t feel the same,¡± she observed, not inquiring but confirming, as my silence spoke louder.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding,¡± I replied, a mirthlessugh escaping my lips.


    ¡°Really?¡± She turned to face me, raising a doubtful brow.


    ¡°Vienna, why on earth would I miss the ce I fought tooth and nail to escape?¡± I asked as if her notion were the product of sheer lunacy.


    ¡°Because that¡¯s where you grew up,¡± she shrugged as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.


    ¡°My childhood isn¡¯t worth remembering,¡± slipped from my mouth. ¡®You made sure of that,¡¯ I thought silently, keeping those words locked in my mind. Enough had been said, and I had no appetite for prolonging the confrontations or ming the past, especially not in the middle of this endless ocean, not when we were finally starting to get along a bit.


    ¡°You spent your entire childhood with your Father there,¡± she suddenly remarked.


    I was taken aback. Her words were undeniably true. In those harsh circumstances and environments, I had been raised by both my parents in that ce. It was where I had feltplete. However, it¡¯s the same ce my monstrous real father owned. Fate can be cruel.


    ¡°Yes,¡± was all I could manage to say.


    ¡°So, do you miss home?¡± she repeated her earlier query.


    ¡°Home isn¡¯t a location; it¡¯s the people,¡± I replied firmly.


    Wherever I might find myself, I would consider it home if I were in thepany of those I held dear, like my mother, Aunt Mnie, and Lucian.


    I missed him terribly. Not a single day passed by that I didn¡¯t think about him. I bet he¡¯s furious at me right now. I didn¡¯t want to be found, but I hoped he¡¯d find me. Did he finally give up? Did he realise I¡¯m not worth his love and affection?


    The idea of him being with another woman was a dagger in my heart. Someone with a name, a title, someone who would be loyal to him. The pain was intense just thinking about it. I never had a chance to exin why I took this path. Even if I had, I doubted he would truly understand my reasons. He wouldn¡¯t let me do this n, so I did what I believed had to be done.


    After I resolved this mess I had gotten into, I would find my way back to him. I didn¡¯t care if he had moved on, found someone new, or even a new mate. I am determined to take him back, no matter the obstacles.


    ¡°Just wait for me, my love,¡± I whispered to the night sky, making a firm promise that the winds carried across the endless ocean.

 Chapter 116: They Returned

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, painting the bustling port with a warm, golden hue. We¡¯ve finally touched the ground. After weeks of sailing, stepping onto solid ground without the rocking waves felt different.


    I took a deep breath, inhaling the salty sea breeze as the morning sun warmed my face. My hair fluttered in the breeze as a loud chopper overhead drowned out other sounds. Although our destination, the Moonstone mansion, was still hours away, we had arrived in the South.


    A significant number of sentinels, dressed in ck attire and armed with imposing guns, stood ready at the port. They respectfully bowed their heads as we passed by, disying impressive loyalty andpliance.


    I nced at Vienna, who walked confidently ahead with her head held high. She was familiar with this world and groomed for it from a young age. In contrast, I felt like an outsider in this world of power and privilege. I averted my eyes from the sentinels as if I were too shy to meet their gazes.


    ¡°Wee back, mydy,¡± an elderly gentleman greeted Vienna with a bow. His regal appearance, including a finely tailored suit and a conspicuous pocket watch, indicated his wealth and influence.


    ¡°Thank you, Lord Verosh,¡± Vienna replied graciously. His eyes then shifted to me, sending an ufortable shiver down my spine. I did my best to stand my ground, hiding my unease with feignedposure.


    ¡°Mydy,¡± he addressed me in the same respectful manner, bowing once again. I exchanged a perplexed nce with Vienna. Her furrowed brows indicated her displeasure at the equal treatment I was receiving.


    ¡°Stop calling me ¡®mydy.¡¯ It doesn¡¯t suit me,¡± I snapped instantly.


    Lord Verosh raised an eyebrow. ¡°You are Lord Remus¡¯ eldest daughter; naturally, we must address you as ourdy,¡± he exined with a genial smile, his eyes twinkling.


    ¡°He¡¯s not my father,¡± I retorted through gritted teeth, expecting a taunt but only receiving an amused chuckle from him.


    ¡°I was informed that you may be in a state of denial,¡± he said, still amused.


    I felt irritation tingling beneath my skin, my brows knitting together. I began to retort, but Vienna interjected, her voice a bit sharp.


    ¡°Will you be escorting us, my Lord?¡± Vienna inquired. Lord Verosh shook his head.


    ¡°No, mydy, I must make preparations. However, I will meet you at your father¡¯s mansion,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Very well, then. Perhaps we shall see you there,¡± Vienna responded with a nod, the tension in the air dissipating.


    ¡°Please, this way, mydy,¡± Lord Verosh gestured courteously, showing us the direction. Vienna led the way, and I followed as we approached the waiting chopper.


    Although Vienna concealed it well, I sensed her difort. She had always resented beingpared to me during our upbringing, and the equal treatment I received from those who served her seemed to irk her.


    She remained silent, and her silence bothered me for the first time in our journey. I wanted her to speak, even if her words weren¡¯t kind.


    We had been making progress together, getting along better than we ever had. But now, she reverted to the old Vienna I remembered, spoiled, bitchy, and difficult to handle.


    In response to her grumpiness, I chose to remain silent, not wanting to worsen her mood. We followed the crew, who ushered us into the chopper and helped us settle into our seats. It was my first time on a chopper, but strangely, I felt no fear.


    After all, I had endured much worse. What more could I possibly be afraid of?


    Throughout the flight, Vienna¡¯s behavior remained sour. She didn¡¯t speak, and her face showed no emotion, not even her usual sharp expression.


    The choppernded on the rooftop helipad of the MoonStone mansion, where Monsieur was waiting for us. A group of sentinels and servants stood in formation nearby.


    As we unfastened our safety belts and removed our headphones, Vienna rushed toward Monsieur with the enthusiasm of a child reuniting with a long-lost father. She hugged him tightly, and Monsieur returned the affection with a gentle rub on her back.


    ¡°Dad,¡± Vienna whispered, her voice filled with emotion. I couldn¡¯t help but notice the intensity of their embrace, which spoke of a deep connection. Monsieur¡¯s eyes twinkled with warmth as he gently caressed her cheeks.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°I was about to send my sentinels to the North territory,¡± he teased lightly. Vienna managed a small chuckle, though her eyes were reddened by what appeared to be suppressed tears.


    Monsieur¡¯s gaze shifted from Vienna to me. I had stayed a few paces behind her, watching their reunion with mixed feelings.


    ¡°You make me proud, Princess,¡± Monsieur said, cupping Vienna¡¯s cheeks affectionately.


    I approached them with a relentless stride. My head held high, each step resonating with firm courage. It took every ounce of bravery not to falter, for I was walking toward the person I had tried desperately to escape from many times. He was the one who had raped my mother and taken my father¡¯s life, and the painful truth I could no longer deny was that he was my real father. The world, indeed, could be heartbreakingly cruel.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± he called my name, and if I were a fool, I might have mistaken the tone for something almost fatherly.


    My breath caught as he suddenly hugged me tightly. I nced at Vienna, whose smile had faded, reced by a cutting re.


    His hugsted for just a few moments before he released me and took my hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m overjoyed that you¡¯re back,¡± he dered, tears glistening in his eyes. I had to resist the urge tough at the sight of those tears.


    The cold, unyielding expression remained engraved on my face. It didn¡¯t disappear at all, not even in the front of this dramatic performance he was putting on.


    His hands were warm and rough against mine.


    ¡°Thank you for bringing your sister back, Vienna,¡± he said, turning his stares towards her.


    Vienna swiftly changed her sharp gaze into a forced smile.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯d do anything for you, Dad,¡± she replied sweetly, though her words carried a veiled undertone.


    ¡°My family is whole once more,¡± heughed heartily.


    ¡°Let us celebrate, everyone! My daughters have returned!¡± he dered, casting a warm smile at the members of his inner circle.


    Apuse filled the air, along with words of warm wee directed at me.


    Vienna¡¯s smile remained forced while I continued to maintain my stoic and impassive fa?ade. Too many people, too many lies. It would have been the perfect moment to drive a dagger into his heart if only a few people were around, but timing was everything.


    I would y along for now, waiting for the perfect moment to end his life.

 Chapter 117: I Miss You, Love

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    As I entered the familiar family halls, each step felt like a sharp dagger piercing my chest. There was a time when I walked across these very floors, carrying a bucket of water and a worn mop in my trembling hand.


    Yet, at this moment, they celebrated with joy upon my return.


    My heart sank as I gazed at the wealthy living room. It was within these walls that my father¡¯s life had been brutally taken from him. I had witnessed hisst moments here and seen my mother¡¯s spirit shatter in this very room.


    It was here that a part of me had died as well.


    Tears welled up in my eyes, a simmering cascade threatening to breach the boundaries of my eyelids. The unfiltered pain of that memory clung to me like a haunting shadow.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how different everything might have been if that horrible night had never happened. Would my father still be with us? Would we all still be here, living a life bound to this mansion?


    We wouldn¡¯t have run away, leaving everything behind. We would have stayed, fulfilling our duties: my father as Monsieur¡¯s loyal butler, my mother as his maid, and me as Vienna¡¯s puppet.


    My father¡¯s death shattered me and my mother and destroyed our happy family. Yet, it created an opportunity for us. It offered a glimmer of light, a chance to escape and begin anew on Dinan. I met my Aunt, encountered remarkable individuals, witnessed my mother¡¯s revival, and developed a stronger bond with Lucian.


    Even in death, Pap¨¤ continued to brighten our path. Oh, how I missed him, yearning for just a fleeting moment in his presence.


    The difficult journey to reach this point had drained every fibre of my being. Exhaustion clung to me like a shroud, and all I desired now was thefort of a soft bed on steady ground.


    Even after weeks of sailing, I still couldn¡¯t get used to the rough waves and the constant stench smell of the open ocean.


    The grand feast was set for the next day, avish event that would bring together the most respected Lords and Ladies of the South. It was expected to be one of the season¡¯s most important gatherings, and Monsieur had expressed his desire to present me to society as his cherished daughter.


    As anticipated, Vienna¡¯s displeasure mirrored my own. Monsieur¡¯s audacity in nning my debut into his empire left me skeptical. I bore no royal lineage; I was the offspring of his dark crimes.


    I had harboured a small hope that he might experience a hint of guilt or perhaps even a fraction of remorse. However, it was a futile illusion. I had realised that monsters, in all their malevolence, remained immune to the torment of guilt.


    The room I currently upy is one of thergest guest rooms in the mansion. It struck me as ironic that I had once scrubbed the very floors of this room. The idea of sleeping here now is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.


    Monsieur had made it clear that I should stay in my room until the preparations for the uing ball or feast werepleted. He insisted it was meant to be a surprise.


    Each time he spoke to me, it felt like I was swallowing a jagged nail. Every moment spent in his presence, without retribution, was a torment I could hardly bear.


    However, revenge wasn¡¯t my only objective. I had devised a n, a single goal, to gain his trust. That trust would serve as the key to putting an end to his evilness.


    Once he ced his trust in me, everything would be much easier. However, that was just the beginning of my grand n.


    The servants would dutifully deliver my meals to my room with barely a word spoken. I attempted to engage them in conversation each time, but they consistently kept their heads down and offered only minimal replies.


    It saddened me deeply. These were people I had grown up with, enduring hardships together under Vienna¡¯s cruel control. I couldn¡¯t tell if they had been ordered to remain silent or if they now held contempt for me after discovering my connection to Vienna.


    Their indifference was evident, and I found it unfair. After all, I had done nothing to harm them. Given the months that had passed since myst presence in the mansion, I expected they would show some happiness upon my return.


    ¡°Flora,¡± I addressed her by name as she wheeled a heavilyden food cart into the room.


    ¡°Mydy,¡± she greeted with a slight bow, pausing the cart to reveal an assortment of food items that could rival a buffet.


    ¡°Join me,¡± I offered a warm smile and gestured towards the seat opposite mine. In response, she shook her head and avoided meeting my eyes.


    ¡°Thank you, Mydy, but I have already eaten,¡± she replied hurriedly, though I knew it was a lie. Servants took their midday meal at three, and the clock had barely struck twelve.


    ¡°Very well,¡± I conceded, unwilling to press further. I had no desire to force myself on her. She offered a forced smile before bowing once more and exiting the room. As the door closed, I sighed in quiet frustration.


    I had once believed that this life woulde with kindness freely given, but now I understand that it was merely a deception, an obligation rather than a choice.


    Tears welled up as I attempted to swallow my food, and at this moment, I longed for Lucian more than ever.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°I miss you, love,¡± I whispered silently to the empty room.


    I couldn¡¯t understand the cause of the intense emotions that had been troubling me for weeks, apanied by a persistent feeling of sickness. Each morning, I experienced bouts of nausea, and my days were marked by constant headaches and queasiness. My appetite had be unpredictable, and even the aroma of certain foods could make me feel dizzy.


    It was a cruel irony; I had always loved the forest, yet now, even the scent of the fresh air could trigger nausea. And now, I had developed an unexpected reliance on theforting coolness of air conditioners.


    ****


    The three designers arrived in my room at one o¡¯clock, carrying with them an entire wardrobe of dresses and a multitude of essories. The sheer number of choices overwhelmed me. It seemed that I was expected to try on each dress and put on different styles of makeup.


    The grand ball was scheduled to start at eight, and as the clock approached 7:30 p. m., I was already dressed and ready. I had chosen a magnificent evening gown in a dazzling shade of gold, resembling the appearance of a goddess. When I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, I was stunned.


    The reflection in the mirror disyed a different woman, and it felt as if I were looking at a stranger.

 Chapter 118: A Different Woman

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°Look at you, you look perfect,¡± Monsieur¡¯s sudden intrusion disrupted my privacy. He stood there, radiant in a ck tuxedo thatplemented my own attire.


    Vienna followed him closely, captivating everyone in the room with her stunning appearance. Her navy blue dressplemented her wless skin, highlighting her natural beauty. Her straight, ebony hair framed her face elegantly, and the silver and diamond essories she wore added a touch of elegance to her outfit, making her look nearly perfect.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied, mustering a faint smile that barely touched my lips. Monsieur took my hand, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the roughness of his touch. For a moment, I thought about pulling my hand away from his grip, but I quickly dismissed that thought aside.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°You look stunning, Vienna,¡± Imented as I withdrew my arm and moved closer to her, deliberately putting some distance between Monsieur and me.


    ¡®Don¡¯t pretend we¡¯re close, not after what you did to my father.¡¯ The words lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them down.


    Vienna responded with a slight smile, but I couldn¡¯t help but notice a lingering trace of hatred in her eyes. The animosity between us remained intact.


    ¡°My two beautiful daughters,¡± Monsieur¡¯s voice quivered with emotion as he enfolded us both in a tearful embrace. Vienna and I exchanged a fleeting nce over his shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m relieved that we¡¯re all together again. The only missing piece is Emilia, but I¡¯m confident we¡¯ll reunite with her soon,¡± he added, mentioning my mother. Hearing him mention my mother¡¯s name made my blood boil with anger.


    My gaze remained fixed on his chest, an unspoken desire to tear through it burning inside me.


    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s time for the world to meet you,¡± he urged, extending both his arms to us. Vienna eagerly sped his left arm while I hesitated, my eyes fixed on his right.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± his voice broke through my thoughts as I remained immobile.


    Both Vienna and Monsieur turned their expectant gazes toward me. I drew a deep breath, slowly extending my hand to hold his right arm. A smile crept onto Monsieur¡¯s face, but I offered only a steely, unyielding stare in return.


    Under different circumstances, I would have been filled with fear. The thought of walking in front of so many scrutinizing eyes, especially those of influential people, sent shivers down my spine. I had always been ufortable with attention, but now, as I thought about stepping into the spotlight tonight, I felt strangely detached.


    It was as if I had be immune, numbed by a mix of anger and self-control. Indeed, it required extraordinary patience to keep myposure in this moment.


    Monsieur was undeniably a skilled fighter, but I believe I could harm him if I made an attempt. However, I understand not to underestimate his intelligence. Who knows what might be concealed beneath his perfect suit? There could be snipers lurking in the shadows, ready to eliminate me in an instant if I were to entertain any foolish ideas.


    Descending the grand staircase while a crowd of onlookers gathered below felt strangely routine. I couldn¡¯t muster the energy to force a smile. My heart wasn¡¯t in it, and besides, my cheek already ached from the fa?ade.


    ¡°Look at them, they¡¯re yours,¡± Monsieur proimed to both of us, although his eyes remained firmly fixed on me.


    A quick nce at Vienna confirmed that she was intensely clenching her teeth.


    ¡°Their sentinels, their house, their loyalties lie with us. They are at our beck and call,¡± he proimed. I observed the people. They certainly appeared wealthy and influential, but it failed to pique my interest in the slightest.


    We walked together, our expressions matching, bearing confidence and an unmistakable air of authority. To an outsider, we might have seemed like a happy family. The irony, however, was that our outward appearances concealed the intricateplexities beneath the surface.


    When we descended thest steps, the assembled crowd below bowed in perfect unison. A look of satisfaction crossed Monsieur¡¯s face as he observed their submission, their heads bowed in respect.


    In stark contrast, Vienna disyed stoicism and maintained an air of cold detachment.


    ¡°Southerners, please warmly wee the royal members of House Crescent!¡± The emcee¡¯s voice echoed through the vast hall, prompting enthusiastic apuse and cheers from the audience. Monsieur acknowledged the reception with a gracious wave, but Vienna stood motionless, like a barren statue, while I regarded the crowd with apathy, my attention drifting in the sea of faces.


    ¡°I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for honouring us with your presence tonight,¡± Monsieur began his speech, exuding amanding aura.


    ¡°We are assembled here tonight to present to you my eldest daughter,¡± his statement elicited audible gasps of surprise among the attendees.


    ¡°The child born out of love, my firstborn, and my heir,¡± he continued, causing another collective astonishment, a reaction that mirrored my own inner shock. I nced at Vienna, but her expression remained impassive.


    ¡°Cercei,e here,¡± He offered his hand.


    I continued to stare at Vienna, waiting for her to react, but she remained motionless. Confused and shocked, I reluctantly epted Monsieur¡¯s outstretched hand.


    ¡°Cercei Denisovich Crescent,¡± Monsieur dered, and a deep silence filled the room, so profound that I could hear the rhythm of my own breath.


    ¡°The future of MoonStone pack,¡± Monsieur concluded, evoking a thunderous round of apuse, even from those who appeared taken aback by this sudden twist of fate.


    I had anticipated being introduced, but to be designated the heir? Born out of love? It was a revtion that struck me to the core.


    I whispered my protest just beside him, ¡°Heir?¡±


    ¡°You are my firstborn,¡± he responded with a casual air.


    ¡°I am not your heir,¡± I retorted firmly. I hadn¡¯te here to inherit the empire built through a life of crime. This world was not meant for me, and I wanted no part of his legacy.


    ¡°I refuse,¡± I dered stubbornly, locking eyes with him. He simply smiled and gently brushed my cheek with his hand in response.


    ¡°You bear a striking resemnce to your mother,¡± he murmured, nting a kiss on my forehead, and then he drifted away to engage with the guests.


    ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± Vienna¡¯s voice sliced through the tension as she approached from behind.


    ¡°Vienna¡­¡±


    ¡°Is this why you came here?¡± Her voice carried anger and wounded pride, ready for confrontation, yet her poise remained unruffled. She exuded a calm,posed elegance.


    ¡°No, I¡­¡±


    ¡°To p into my face how I¡¯ll never be good enough for Dad?¡± Her voice broke.


    ¡°That¡¯s not¡­¡±


    ¡°Despite all I do, I will never capture his attention!¡± Her voice gained intensity. I nced around, mindful of any prying ears.


    ¡°Vienna, please, let me exin¡­¡±


    She cut my words short, her tone bristling with resentment. ¡°No! You¡¯re the same attention-seeker and stupid whore I¡¯ve always known!¡±


    ¡°Even with all that gold, you¡¯re still nothing,¡± she spat, her gaze sweeping me dismissively before walking away.


    I fought back tears, struggling to contain the surging emotions inside my heart.


    ¡°Mydy,¡± two men approached me. They appeared to be in their middle age and carried themselves with an air of nobility. However, I was unfamiliar with their house or lineage.


    They offered a courteous bow.


    ¡°My Lords,¡± I replied, bracing my voice as I turned to face them.


    ¡°I am Lord Gorgolon of the Southern Tide.¡±


    ¡°And I am Lord Florante of the Flower Vale.¡±


    They introduced themselves in turn.


    ¡°It¡¯s an honour to meet you, My Lady. Please know that my house will always stand firmly behind your back,¡± Lord Gorgolon dered.


    ¡°As will mine, My Lady,¡± affirmed Lord Florante.


    ¡°I am deeply grateful for your kind words, my Lords. When the timees, I will not forget your loyalty,¡± I responded with dignity and gratitude.

 Chapter 119: I Have My Mission

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    The lords took their turns introducing themselves, promising their absolute loyalty to me. I still wanted to talk to Vienna, but she was nowhere to be found.


    As much as I¡¯d like to find her, I couldn¡¯t avoid the crowd gathering around me. I couldn¡¯t help but notice that not all thedies in attendance were pleased by my presence. I could feel their judgement even from afar. Only a few women approached me, and most of them were elderly.


    Their opinions held little significance for me. I had no intention of taking on the title Monsieur was imposing on me. If he wants me to bear his legacy so strongly, then I¡¯ll show him how I¡¯ll bury it in the ground.


    Feeling overwhelmed by the constant pretence of smiles and fake gratitude, I eventually excused myself and went to the restroom.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°This was not part of my n!¡± I muttered to myself.


    Yes, I wanted Monsieur¡¯s trust, but if it meant taking over an empire I had spent my life hating, then I¡¯d rather face my own death.


    What a terrible idea this was. Had I left Lucian for this? The mere idea left a bitter taste in my mouth. Ugh, I can¡¯t even imagine my mother¡¯s reaction. I shuddered at the thought of when she eventually discovered thisplicated scheme, and she¡¯d be furious.


    Longing to clear my mind, I thought about washing my face multiple times, but I hesitated, not wanting to ruin the detailed work of my makeup artist.


    Instead, I chose to wash my hands. Over and over. The water that was once gentle now felt like knives on my skin, peeling away the mask. After a while, I forced myself to stop.


    I tried topose myself, exhaling slowly and blinking to hold back the tears. I couldn¡¯t afford to look vulnerable when I returned to the gathering.


    I spent a few more minutes inside fixing myself. Damn, I hate this!


    Suddenly, three girls entered the washroom. They seemed to be my age or maybe even older. I watched them in the mirror, and they stopped when they saw me. They exchanged quiet words before they burst intoughter, their eyes fixated on me.


    Swallowing the lump in my throat, I fought to conceal any sign of tears. Weak and vulnerable! Vienna was right, I will always be nothing. Despite all the wealth, I couldn¡¯t carry myself with the same confidence as her. I didn¡¯t belong here. Grabbing a handful of tissue, I wiped my hands and stormed out of the restroom. They parted to let me pass, but their scornfulughter seemed to reverberate off the walls of the cubicle.


    I wiped the tears from my eyes and picked up my pace, keeping my head down.


    Raising my head again, I saw a familiar face.


    I came to an abrupt halt, gazing at him to confirm that my eyes weren¡¯t deceiving me. It was the same gentle, charming smile, the unmistakable Vincent.


    Filled with anger, I picked up my pace and closed the gap between us.


    ¡°You tter me, mydy¡­¡±


    ¡°Alpha Vincent,¡± I interrupted sharply. His attention shifted from the elegantly dresseddy by his side to me. His eyes showed no surprise when he saw me; instead, his smile grew broader.


    ¡°May I have a word with you?¡± I uttered with a blend of sarcasm and politeness.


    ¡°Of course, mydy Crescent,¡± Vincent responded, emphasizing my title with a mischievous grin. My teeth clenched in response.


    ¡°Very well then, my Lord. Please, excuse me, mydy,¡± the woman he had been chatting with hurriedly reacted, clearly sensing the tension in the air. She left, and I paid her no mind, focusing only on Vincent.


    With clenched teeth and balled fists, I pulled Vincent into a dim, unupied corner of the ballroom.


    ¡°You treacherous bastard!¡± I erupted when we were out of curious onlookers¡¯ prying eyes and ears.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± he raised both his hands in a cating manner.


    ¡°I trusted you!¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­¡±


    ¡°My Aunt put her trust in you!¡± I shouted, my anger barely contained. If it weren¡¯t for the restrictive nature of my dress, I might have grabbed his cor by now.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°You promised to help us. Both my Aunt and Mother are from your pack. How could you betray your own people?¡± I continued my rigid rant.


    ¡°Listen to me!¡± Vincent¡¯s voice had an edge, and it cut through my fury, causing me to halt.


    ¡°What do you want to exin? How are you ying the charming, deceptive persona here in the heart of our enemy¡¯s territory?¡±


    ¡°What the hell?¡± He cursed softly under his breath.


    ¡°Traitor!¡± I used him with intense emotion.


    ¡°Traitor?¡± He pointed to himself, clenching his jaw.


    ¡°You¡¯re here, which means you¡¯ve betrayed us,¡± I stated firmly.


    ¡°Fine,bel me a traitor if you like, but it seems we both have a taste for betrayal, don¡¯t we? How¡¯s your evening going?¡± His sarcasm was like a provocation, stirring my desire tosh out at him.


    ¡°I¡¯m here because I have a mission,¡± I responded.


    ¡°Well, so do I. I don¡¯t understand why we¡¯re throwing usations at each other,¡± he retorted.


    ¡°What mission do you have?¡± I inquired.


    Taking a deep breath, Vincent mustered his patience. ¡°I¡¯m a spy,¡± he confessed when he realised I wouldn¡¯t concede without an exnation.


    ¡°And you? Why are you here, apart from the fact that you¡¯re the so-called long-lost Princess?¡± he asked, his tone serious.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to assassinate him,¡± I dered proudly.


    He blinked twice before bursting intoughter.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always appreciated your sense of humour,¡± he continued to chuckle. I stared at him icily, conveying my disdain through my stares. He ceased hisughter when he realised that I wasn¡¯t joking.


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re serious?¡± he asked and teased me.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I affirmed.


    ¡°How do you n to execute your scheme?¡± he inquired, his brow furrowing. I regarded him thoughtfully.


    ¡°It depends on the circumstances,¡± I replied calmly, initiating another round of amusement from him.


    ¡°Depends on the circumstances?¡± he repeated, mocking.


    ¡°Depends on the opportunity,¡± I retorted, pursing my lips.


    ¡°That¡¯s the most half-baked n I¡¯ve ever heard,¡± hemented with seriousness.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I retorted, rolling my eyes.


    ¡°How¡¯s Aunt Mnie?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Still a babbler,¡± he replied, a hint of fondness in his tone. Iughed at his remark.


    ¡°She misses you,¡± he added, his voice carrying a weight of seriousness.


    ¡°I miss her too,¡± I admitted sadly.


    ¡°How are the elders?¡± I hastily inquired, recalling that they had been eager to arrange a marriage for us during myst visit.


    ¡°They¡¯re still holding onto their archaic beliefs,¡± he replied.


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh at his dry humour.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Vince,¡± I confessed, hugging him tightly. He reciprocated the embrace, rubbing my back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too, little thing,¡± he whispered, tears suddenly falling from my eyes as he spoke.

 Chapter 120: A Master Of Deception

    Maria¡¯s POV


    Cercei had always been easy to predict, but at this moment, I had no clue where she was.


    There was no clear trail to follow, only the stolen car she had abandoned, left stranded in the middle of the road. Maybe my own heart was burdened with too much worry, clouding my thoughts.


    I knew exactly where she was going-the Moonstone mansion. But the n was to stop her before she reached her destination and shake some sense into her mind before it was toote.


    I left the Red without saying a word, not even a goodbye to anyone, not even to Frank. I had already told them I was going to bring Cercei back, and I carried the responsibility for her escape entirely on my shoulders. I had underestimated Cercei and hadn¡¯t foreseen her audacity, no matter the reasons behind it. It doesn¡¯t really make up for the little trick she pulled.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to pull your hair, Cercei!¡± I whispered in a hushed voice.


    Now that I was back on the streets, alone and without a clear destination, an overwhelming emptiness shrouded me. My mind bounced between thoughts of Cercei¡¯s whereabouts and Frank¡¯s name, echoing loudly in my heart. I pictured him seething with anger, and his face appeared cold.


    He would never forgive me, and I knew he held a grudge against me. It seemed to be his specialty.


    A bitter smile crept onto my lips; how did he manage to keep such a cold heart? If the roles were reversed, I would have forgiven him in an instant.


    Staying focused on this rescue mission was tough when I doubted whether the person I was searching for even wanted to be saved.


    It had been years since I had walked these streets alone, unburdened by responsibility. I had spent years avoiding this sense of istion, but now, I reluctantly admitted to findingfort in it.


    If I couldn¡¯t find Vienna and Cercei here, then it was likely that I¡¯d have to trace their path to the South. Leaving from the North would be easy, as I was confident Lucian¡¯s would allow me to leave this territory and surely would provide transportation. After all, I was the one tasked to bring back his mate.


    But I couldn¡¯t muster the courage to leave, to burden others. Cercei¡¯s disappearance was my fault, and even if I managed to bring her back, it wouldn¡¯t erase my mistakes.


    This situation would have been far simpler if I were on a different continent. I had connections and leverage to pull there. However, this was the North-a territory where I had no influence, and the loyalty of all people to Lucian Red ran deep. Perhaps I could flirt with a pilot or someone with a ship to secure a ride? But the chances seemed slim.


    In the end, I made a decision. I would merge with the crowds.


    I observed men scrutinizing every individual entering and leaving the North. I opted to alter my appearance by dyeing my hair, a seemingly minor change. I doubted Frank would even notice my absence or care about whether I stayed or left. But he didn¡¯t need to know. After all, vanishing without a trace was my expertise.


    I had a collection of counterfeit passports and fake IDs to take on a new identity. This should make my exit a bit easier.


    I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, and the fiery red hair stared back at me. I couldn¡¯t deny it; I looked rather badass with this new look.


    Certainly, a wig would have been more convenient, but it was time for aplete makeover. Besides, I craved this change. Something had shifted inside my heart since arriving in the North. In fact, the idea of leaving this ce filled me with a pang of sadness. I had traveled through manynds, served different Lords, and taken on numerous identities, but this felt different. It felt genuine, and I met exceptional people.


    For the first time in my life, it appeared as though I wasn¡¯t lying or tricking anyone. But who was I fooling? I was a master of deception, a living mask. Even my closest friend remained unaware of my real self and the extent of my abilities.


    I had thought about telling her my secret, but fear had always stopped me. I dreaded how she would react. She had always expressed a strong dislike for lies, and I was the epitome of deceit.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    It wasn¡¯t a matter of trust. I simply couldn¡¯t bear to discuss it. Talking about it meant facing my past, and I had spent far too long trying to forget it.


    As expected, the airport procedures went smoothly. No one had any suspicions, and I had a strong feeling that I would arrive before Cercei and Vienna did, giving me extra time to n.


    At the moment, I was too exhausted to think about the best rescue n. I couldn¡¯t imagine how I would get her from that cursed mansion. After all, she hadn¡¯t just left her mate¡¯s residence toe with me willingly. She had rendered me unconscious and fled to that dreadful ce. A seamless rescue seemed highly far-fetched.


    I had given Lucian my word that I would bring her back, and I was determined to fulfill that promise, regardless of the consequences. If reasoning with her won¡¯t work, then I¡¯ll have to resort to more forceful measures, maybe even a physical confrontation. And after that, we can consider the matter settled.


    And then, after bringing her back, I might vanish for good. Things wouldn¡¯t just go back to how they used to be.


    I could feel a looming war on the horizon. Lucian and Frank were probably in a meeting at this very moment, crafting their strategies and deliberating how to execute revenge against Alpha Remus.


    Suddenly, my heart ached when I looked outside the ne window, taking in the snowyndscape below. I closed my eyes and tried to engrave every detail of Frank¡¯s face into my memory. The lines on his face, his beauty marks, the way his brows would furrow when he was annoyed or puzzled, the way his lips moved when he spoke, his tousled hair, his smile. A tear trickled down my cheek as I tried to preserve it all. I might be leaving, but my heart would always stay here, buried beneath the snow.

 Chapter 121: You Love Her

    Frank¡¯s POV


    There was no sign of her leaving, not on flights or sails or any other types of transportation that someone could make to leave the North. She just vanished into thin air.


    After I was informed of that little trick that she pulled, I went to theb where she was detained. I told her she¡¯s already done enough, why can¡¯t she understand that?


    I don¡¯t care if she feels guilty, I¡¯ll get Cercei back for her. I could do it. I doubt she¡¯s fully healed and rested well when she leaves.


    I should¡¯ve known this. Bringing her to the barracks and training with her, I knew she had potential. She¡¯s a skilled marksman, which is strange for a servant. She can fight well as well. That wasn¡¯t just it. During the times we spent together, I noticed her outstanding skills.


    Like how she¡¯d catch a falling mug or the way she holds a knife. I saw lots of signs, and I chose to ignore them out of stupidity.


    Or maybe I was too preupied with other feelings that I focused on other skills she has. Like the way she sways her hair or the way she smiles, the way she likes the snow.


    Perhaps I underestimated her. I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d be that skilled to turn off the cameras for one of the heavily guarded mansions of the North. She¡¯s even better than our hacker. Under different circumstances, we would¡¯ve been d to hire her.


    No one could pull the trick that she pulled, and that makes her either special or dangerous, or both.


    ¡°Find out everything about her,¡± I told the best private investigator I had ever known.


    ¡°Her name, her origin, her pack. I want every single detail of her life, and I want it as soon as possible,¡± I ordered in detail. He nodded quickly and left.


    She¡¯s not a Moonstone pack member. That¡¯s all I know. There¡¯s something about her, maybe a cloak to hide whatever¡¯s within.


    She¡¯s trying too hard forposure. There is more than what she shows, and she¡¯s trying so hard to contain it, like holding water with her bare hands.


    ¡°We¡¯ll send half our men through ships, the other half through air.¡± Lucian¡¯s voice rang inside the meeting room.


    The small council stands on the circr table, looking down at the map.


    ¡°We¡¯ll meet here,¡± Lucian put a red g on a certain ce on the map.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let them rest for a night or two, depending on the preparations needed for the war,¡± Lucian traced the map with his finger.


    ¡°And we¡¯ll attack at nightfall,¡± He knocked over the Moonstone g with his hand.


    ¡°What about the girl, Lucian?¡± His Uncle Lord John asked.


    The room held its breath as all eyes turned to Lucian. Under the clear light illuminating his face, his steely gaze fixed on Lord John, revealing the gravity of the situation.


    Lucian pressed his lips together, and after a few seconds, he opened his mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to get her back. Frank will lead in front just before I ensure she¡¯s safe. We can¡¯t start our attack without securing her first,¡± he instructed. All the men at the table looked at me.


    ¡°How? I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll hide her well, knowing that you¡¯reing to their territory to get her,¡± Lord Drogo remarked with a smug face. My eyes narrowed in his direction.


    ¡°I have my ways, Lord Drogo,¡± Lucian spoke full of himself.


    The old Lord scoffed at Lucian¡¯s arrogance.


    ¡°And what would that be?¡± He asked quickly, slightly smirking.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern you,¡± Lucian stated coldly. The entire room fell into an ufortable silence.


    ¡°Perhaps you should focus on the war instead of Lucian, Lord Drogo. I¡¯m confident my nephew can take care of his mate,¡± Lucian¡¯s other uncle interjected.


    ¡°I¡¯m sending my men to a war, and I¡¯m not even allowed to ask about the n?¡± Lord Drogo red at him, clearly insulted and growing angry at Lucian¡¯s response.


    ¡°You know the n; that¡¯s what we¡¯re doing, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lucian gestured toward the table.


    Lord John cleared his throat to calm the stirring tempers. Lord Drogo inhaled swiftly.


    ¡°Right, forgive me, My Lord,¡± His apology dripped with sarcasm.


    ¡°Calm down, Sire,¡± I whispered when I saw his clenched jaw and fist.


    ¡°This meeting is over; we¡¯ll resume tomorrow,¡± Lucian spoke coldly, ending the tension. All of them bowed and left the room, his two uncles being thest to exit, tapping his shoulders before leaving.


    ¡°Speak,¡± he said, his voice feeling urgent.


    ¡°Tell me how my impatience will lead us to defeat,¡± Lucian rified, noticing my puzzled expression.


    ¡°Lord Drogo is¡­¡±


    ¡°A traitor,¡± He finished my sentence, his tone determined. I inhaled deeply.


    ¡°I received information that one of the ships that recently sailed without our knowledge belongs to him. I strongly suspect he was helping Cercei and Vienna in their escape from the North,¡± he continued, his gaze sharp and focused.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t the first instance, Sire. We¡¯ve received reports of previous asions where he received phone calls and emails from individuals in the South,¡± I reported as I took my seat.


    ¡°He¡¯ll have his punishment after the war,¡± Lucian stated firmly.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to spare to think of a rightful punishment. Consider this an act of mercy,¡± he added.


    ¡°Any word from Maria?¡± Lucian suddenly asked. I shifted ufortably at the mention of her name.


    ¡°No,¡± I said firmly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have any way tomunicate with her for updates?¡± He asked. I gritted my teeth.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I quickly replied, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.


    He stared at me after I answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing she¡¯ll only reach out after she gets her hand on Ms. Cercei,¡± I continued, avoiding his eyes.


    ¡°What she did was¡­¡±


    ¡°Worse,¡± I cut him off, not wanting to entertain any praise for Maria¡¯s actions.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Lucian uttered. I looked at him swiftly, baffled.


    ¡°It was unpleasant but impressive. If she managed to get her back, I have a position for her,¡± Lucian emphasized.


    ¡°Thank you, Sire,¡± I said, feeling a consequence lift from my chest.


    ¡°Why are you thanking me?¡± He raised his brows.


    I was stumped at his question, unable to form a coherent response.


    ¡°You love her,¡± Lucian stated the apparent truth. It wasn¡¯t a question, so I remained silent, our eyes locked in a tense moment.


    ¡®Yes, I indeed fell for her,¡¯ I muttered silently.

 Chapter 122: Blood Stain

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°I missed you too,¡± Vincent clearly uttered.


    ¡°Hush,¡± Heforted me and rubbed my back when I started to sob. My emotions were getting the best of me.


    ¡°I know I¡¯m very handsome, but you don¡¯t need to cry,¡± He tried to lighten up my mood with a jest. I chuckled and yfully pped his shoulders.


    We broke the hug, and he gently wiped the tears off my cheeks.


    ¡°You¡¯ve changed,¡± He remarked, his gaze set on my face.


    ¡°Really?¡± I asked, not out of confusion but to press him to borate.


    ¡°I can¡¯t exin it,¡± He chuckled, taking my hand and guiding me to turn. Iughed softly.


    ¡°You look beautiful,¡± Hemented, but instead of being grateful, my brows furrowed.


    ¡°So, I was ugly before?¡± I pouted my lips and crossed my arms.


    ¡°What? No! You look more beautiful now,¡± He gestured at me, scanning me from head to toe.


    ¡°So, I wasn¡¯t as pretty as before?¡± I was pretending to be offended.


    ¡°You are pretty, of course,¡± he grinned.


    ¡°Then are you asking why I look more beautiful now?¡± I inquired. He appeared perplexed, struggling to find the right words to avoid my fury.


    Well, I was irritated. More beautiful, my foot! Did he imply I wasn¡¯t very beautiful before? That I wasn¡¯t as pretty, and now I¡¯ve somehow upgraded?


    ¡°Or perhaps he prefers wealthier women, and now, since I am wrapped in gold from head to toe, am I suddenly more attractive to him? Is that why I wasn¡¯t considered pretty before? Because I wasn¡¯t wealthy?¡±


    ¡°Never mind,¡± He conceded, but I wasn¡¯t prepared to drop the topic yet.


    I was about to voice my thoughts when he gently nudged me.


    ¡°We need to go back; you don¡¯t want them to wonder where you are and why you¡¯re talking to me. We¡¯re both on a mission,¡± He urged, guiding me back to the banquet hall.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± But we were already retreating into the hidden alcove. He swiftly left, his steps marked by urgency. I bit my lip in frustration. I¡¯ll give you a hard beating next time we meet. How dare you insinuate I was ugly.


    ¡°My Lady,¡± Another noble Lord greeted me.


    If there was one thing I noticed tonight, it was that most men extended their courtesies to me, pledging their assistance, while thedies either bore judgment in their gazes or concealed it behind their lips.


    It didn¡¯t particrly matter anyway. It wouldn¡¯t make a difference even if they all swore their loyalty and allegiance. This was all an act until I created a concrete n.


    It was foolish of me to attend this gathering empty-handed. Was ¡®shitty¡¯ an appropriate word? Whatever.


    ¡°So, what do you think?¡± Monsieur asked after we had exchanged pleasantries with hundreds of guests.


    Shitty. That¡¯s what I wanted to say.


    ¡°Marvelous¡± Were the words that escaped my lips instead.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to rule them one day,¡± He gestured toward the crowd.


    ¡°What about Vienna?¡± I inquired, brows furrowed.


    ¡°She¡¯ll stand by your side, assisting you,¡± He replied as if he didn¡¯t know his own daughter.


    ¡°I doubt she¡¯d want that,¡± I remarked.


    He sighed deeply.


    ¡°Vienna will always be Vienna,¡± he said calmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll get over it,¡± he added, shaking his head. I regarded him with deep furrowed brows.


    ¡°She won¡¯t,¡± I asserted firmly.


    ¡°She won¡¯t just ept it and move on so easily,¡± I couldn¡¯t pinpoint where I found the courage to speak to him in such a tone, but he was truly testing my patience.


    ¡°She dedicated years to training to inherit your Alpha position, and she made numerous sacrifices to im it as her own,¡± My voice grew slightly louder.


    ¡°Tradition dictates that the legacy passes to the firstborn child,¡± He said casually.


    ¡°I have no interest in your legacy, nor am I your first child,¡± I blurted out.


    He looked surprised by my words, but there was no hint of pain in his eyes.


    ¡°You still deny it? Even after your mother confessed it to you?¡± Right, of course, he¡¯d know that part. Vienna came as a spy, not as a loving sister.


    ¡°Your blood means nothing to me,¡± I hurled those words like daggers, but they seemed to bounce off him, having little effect.


    ¡°My blood is what runs in your veins,¡± he muttered.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change anything. You are not my father!¡± My emotions swelled, and a few guests started to nce in our direction.


    I watched as the smug expression on his face shifted into one of cold indifference. His eyes darkened, lips pressed into a thin line, and it sent a shiver down my spine. He scared me; I couldn¡¯t forget what he was capable of. He was a devil himself.


    ¡°Oh, daughter, you¡¯ll learn in time, even if I have to force it into your little mind. You are a Crescent, and you¡¯re mine and your mother¡¯s. There is nothing you can do about it,¡± His words sounded taunting but carried a heavy, ominous seriousness. It felt like a veiled threat.


    I don¡¯t know why or how, but I suddenly grabbed the knife from the table. But before I could even raise it, his hand shot out like a lightning-quick and grabbed mine. My eyes widened at the astonishing speed of his reflexes. His grip was vice-like, and I dropped the knife.


    He then pulled my hand, and in an instant, I was enveloped in a tight hug. It happened so fast that it left me breathless. No one seemed to notice my poorly risked act of violence; he had stopped my hand before I could fully hold the knife, and now, this hug.


    ¡°You will learn to be obedient, one way or another,¡± he whispered in my ear, his tone filled with unsettling determination.


    I struggled to free myself from his embrace, the pressure on my chest making it hard to breathe. Gasping for air, I felt my vision blur.


    ¡°Let me go!¡± I tried to scream, but my voice came out weak. I couldn¡¯t make much movement. He was damn too strong.


    I was on the brink of panic when, after what felt like an eternity, he finally released me. I gasped for breath, clutching my throat, tears streaming down my face as I shot him a sharp, resentful re.


    He looked at me with a smug expression, seemingly unbothered by my distress. His eyes then flicked downwards. I followed his gaze and realized my gown was stained.


    Blood was clearly trickling down my legs.

 Chapter 123: Mount The World

    Remus¡¯s POV


    Blood, a vivid red, stained her gold satin gown.


    It trickled down her thighs, moving as if in slow motion, a crimson river seeping through the golden fabric. Her trembling fingers reached out to touch the stain, her eyes locked onto the deepening red hue on her shaky palms.


    Panicked breaths escaped her lips, fear eroding herposure. At this crucial moment, I acted quickly, reaching out to catch her and preventing her from copsing onto the cold floor.


    A silent signal passed between me and my loyal men, their well-honed instincts directing them to create a protective barrier, shielding us from the curious eyes of the guests.


    ¡°Take her to her room and call for the best physician,¡± Imanded urgently, gently cing her in their arms.


    Eyes were already fixed on us. The collective gaze of the crowd focused on her as she was carried away from the scene.


    In an attempt to regain control, I grabbed a crystal goblet filled with the finest wine and raised it in a toast to our bewildered audience.


    ¡°My Lords and Ladies,¡± I began, voice steady and reassuring, ¡°I must apologise for this unexpected interruption.¡±


    The ball had to continue, the guests needed to be entertained, and any inquiries about the incident would be met with a simple exnation: exhaustion, nothing more. They nodded in understanding and offered their wishes for her swift recovery, so the evening¡¯s facade resumed.


    No one saw the blood or the little trick she pulled, but I still had to end the celebration shortly.


    As the night progressed, guests started to leave.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± my daughter Vienna asked as she noticed the guests departing.


    ¡°Where have you been all this time?¡± I asked, my eyes narrowing at her absence.


    ¡°I¡­ um,¡± she stammered, struggling to find her voice, her finger pointed toward something.


    ¡°Your sister, she suddenly started bleeding and then copsed,¡± I disclosed, my restless pacing momentarilying to a halt.


    Her eyes widened, realization dawning on her. ¡°Why? Is she¡­ okay?¡± Her voice quivered with concern.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have all the answers yet,¡± I admitted, my own anxiety simmering beneath the surface.


    After the grand gates were closed and the guests had left, I headed to Cercei¡¯s room, with Vienna following closely behind.


    There, shey sound asleep on her bed, with the physician keeping a vignt watch. He nodded in a respectful greeting as we walked in. Vienna hurried to her sister¡¯s side.


    ¡°Alpha Remus,¡± Doctor Denovon greeted me, giving a slight bow.


    ¡°How is she?¡± I inquired immediately, my attention fixed on Cercei¡¯s unconscious form.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, Alpha. It¡¯s normal to experience bleeding during the first trimester. However, Lady Cercei must still exercise caution; excessive pressure can harm the baby,¡± Doctor Denovon informed us.


    Vienna¡¯s eyes shifted from her unconscious sister to the physician¡¯s face.


    ¡°Child?¡± She voiced the question that lingered in the room like an unstated truth. I was too stunned to express the question myself.


    ¡°Oh, you were unaware? Congrattions!¡± Doctor Denovon¡¯s enthusiasm burst like a long-hidden secret revealed, his announcement reverberating through the silent room.


    My eldest daughter was pregnant?


    ¡°Lucian¡¯s?¡± I locked eyes with Vienna, searching for confirmation. She swallowed hard and stepped away from her sister¡¯s side. I noticed she clenched her fists.


    She nodded in confirmation. I took a deep,posed breath. That rascal had impregnated my daughter! My anger surged, a zing storm that threatened to overwhelm all rationality. I vowed to myself, and vengeful thoughts swirling in my head. I would track him down and erase every remnant of his n.


    ¡°Does she know?¡± I asked, my gaze shifting to Cercei¡¯s unconscious form as I pressed the question.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Vienna replied, her eyes clouded with tears.


    I approached her and pulled her into a protective embrace. Her heart was shattered, and my own heart ached at the pain I saw in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find you another Alpha, one equally charming,¡± I whispered reassuringly, my hand softly kneading her shoulders. However, she pushed me away, and her response was stubborn and firm.


    ¡°No!¡± She instantly rejected the idea, her emotions as intense as her mother¡¯s had once been. Her voice carried a defiant mix of stubbornness and anguish.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even secure the empire you promised me, and now I¡¯ve lost the man you promised me. Instead, she gets everything!¡± She gestured bitterly toward her sleeping sister.


    ¡°Vienna,¡± I tried to calm her, my stares briefly shifting to Cercei, who stilly unconscious.


    ¡°A bastard inherits all that was meant for me!¡± She cried out in anguish.


    ¡°She is your sister! And she is my firstborn daughter. Mind your words!¡± My voice resonated with anger and frustration.


    ¡°By blood alone, just as you are her father merely by blood,¡± she retorted, shoving me aside before storming out angrily.


    I took in another deep breath, my fingers kneading my temples. My two daughters were now causing me headaches.


    ¡°Lady Cercei is pregnant,¡± the statement was repeated by one of my trusted advisers.


    Seated in my office, I leaned back in my chair, pondering the implications of this revtion.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna kill that Lucian Red!¡± I hissed through gritted teeth. How dare he impregnate my daughter? She still had much to learn about how to rule, and now, how could she possibly handle the weight of her responsibilities in her vulnerable condition?


    ¡°Yes, you will,¡± my adviser asserted, and I turned to look at him.


    ¡°But¡­¡± his tone was hesitant, as if he were about to make an important point.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°This is remarkable news, Alpha,¡± my adviser continued, his tone strangely enthusiastic. My brows furrowed at his words. Remarkable news? My daughter was carrying my enemy¡¯s child, and my other daughter¡¯s heart was broken. In what world was this considered good news?


    ¡°Good news?¡± I responded, my voice tinged with anger. ¡°She can¡¯t undergo training now. How is she supposed to learn how to rule?¡± My hands clenched into fists, my eyes shing angrily, shifting to a fiery red as my temper red.


    ¡°Even if she weren¡¯t pregnant, Alpha, she had no intention of undergoing extensive training. I¡¯m sure you understand why she came all this way,¡± he stated, meeting my eyes, his words conveying deeper meaning.


    He was right. Only a fool would believe that she hade here just to meet her father.


    ¡°She ns to kill me,¡± I blurted out the harsh truth. In fact, she had already made a feeble attempt to do so.


    ¡°If this child lives, he or she could step into her shoes. With the Crescent and Red bloodline, this child would mount the world,¡± my adviser reasoned, trying to present a more optimistic view of the dire situation.


    I squirmed uneasily in my chair, faced with an alternate viewpoint.


    A child with both Crescent and Red lineage would have a firm grip on both the North and the South.


    ¡°All that¡¯s necessary is to raise this child ourselves, to ensure his or her loyalty aligns with our cause,¡± he suggested, providing a more practical view.


    ¡°That would mean waiting another 20 or 30 years,¡± I replied, a touch of skepticism in my voice.


    ¡°A drawn-out victory is better than a swift defeat, Alpha,¡± he swiftly countered.


    ¡°Emiliano, you are indeed my most trusted adviser,¡± I chuckled, pouring each of us a ss of wine.


    We lifted our sses together and drank deeply.


    If my daughter wouldn¡¯t embrace this reality, then maybe my grandchild would. This time, I¡¯d ensure he or she didn¡¯t inherit his or her mother¡¯s stubbornness.


    It was remarkable how someone could remain so valuable even on the brink of war. Cercei¡¯s pregnancy could be a tool to keep Lucian¡¯s neck.


    War was looming ahead. I had no doubt about that. He would be marching towards the South by now, gathering his troops to get her back.


    I thought I only had the advantage when he entered those gates, but now, I was confident in my imminent victory.


    Whether he was aware of this pregnancy or not, the mere threat of it would bother him. What could an Alpha do when the life of his pregnant mate was at stake? What sacrifices might Lucian be willing to make to protect his heir?

 Chapter 124: I鈥檓 Glad To Offer Such A Show

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    ¡°It¡¯s been more than a century since the world has seen a battle of this magnitude,¡± Uncle Johnmented, his eyes focused on our gathered troops. We stood at the bustling port, watching as half of our forces boarded the waiting ships.


    ¡°I¡¯m d to offer such a show,¡± I responded, d in my armour, and my expression was serious.


    ¡°You know I trust youpletely, Lucian, and I¡¯ll always stand behind your choices. But I have to ask onest time. Are you absolutely confident about this sudden decision?¡± Uncle John peered into my eyes. I pressed my lips together in response.


    If it had been anyone else asking, I might have been offended. But this was my uncle, the leader of one of the most powerful packs in the world, and my mother¡¯s older brother.


    ¡°I understand the risks, Uncle, but who I¡¯m doing this for is worth more than any risk,¡± I replied, my expression grave as I met his eyes.


    He nodded and offered a reassuring pat on my back.


    ¡°Are you nervous?¡± He inquired, his smile warm.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I admitted, ncing at my trembling hands.


    ¡°Good!¡± He spoke with conviction.


    ¡°How can that be a good thing?¡± I asked in confusion. Wasn¡¯t it expected of leaders to radiate unshakeable confidence?


    ¡°It means you¡¯re not foolish enough to assume victory is guaranteed,¡± he exined, his smile tinged with wisdom and reassurance.


    With onest pat, he departed, his stride exuding pride and authority. Even my father held him in the highest respect. I felt lucky to be mentored by such a respected Alpha of his era.


    Today, we would set out, and our destination is towards the Southern territory.


    To reduce the ambush risk, we split our sentinels into two groups, with one half travelling by air and the other by sea.


    I would be in another chopper, leading our troops to the South. My uncles and the other lords who had courageously decided to join the war had boarded the ships.


    Our ships were fast, but my group and half of our elite warriors, travelling by air, would certainly reach the rendezvous point ahead of the ships. This early arrival would provide us with valuable time for crucial preparations.


    As I looked at the ships below and the jets flying alongside us, the gravity of the impending battle sank in.


    This was it. War ising!


    I could finally avenge my mother¡¯s death and take back my mate. Beside me was Frank, who was looking ahead, his eyes focused on the uncertain fate. He, too, had been abandoned by the woman he loved, and I had no doubt he was prepared for the impending battle.


    We could not afford to lose. Failure was not an option. Defeat had no ce in our ns.


    There was no room for surrender. I had meticulously strategized for any tricks Remus might use, including using Cercei as bait.


    My death wouldn¡¯t symbolize my defeat; instead, his death would signify our victory.


    I vowed to guarantee his downfall, bringing his empire to its knees.


    *****


    Arriving two days ahead of time, we readied our weapons and made all necessary preparations for the impending war. We also erected tents for temporary shelter.


    Our attack would beunched on the uing full moon, which was three days away. This would give the other half of our forces plenty of time to rest and recover their strength.


    The full moon granted werewolves their peak strength, an advantage for us but also for our enemies.


    Gathered at a small council meeting just before our nightfall attack, Iid out the n.


    ¡°I want the Moonstone mansion surrounded by choppers,¡± I began, sketching the initial orders.


    ¡°The other half will sneak in from the ground,¡± I pointed to a particr spot on the map.


    ¡°All marksmen will go up in the air while ourbat warriors will stay on the ground.¡±


    ¡°After the warriors manage to breach the gates, including those on various sides, that¡¯s when all of you willunch your attack,¡± I concluded.


    One of them asked, ¡°Where will you be, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be on the ground, but I¡¯ll get there discreetly before any of you,¡± I confirmed.


    ¡°Alone?¡± he sought confirmation.


    ¡°You forget, my nephew is a skilled warrior, sharpshooter, and a King Alpha,¡± Uncle John interjected immediately.


    ¡°Where is Lord Drogo and his men?¡± I asked, suddenly remembering the presence of that traitor.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    ¡°He used his own ship for the voyage, but they disappeared in the middle of the sea. I presumed they had reached before us,¡± Uncle John replied, and his expression was gloomy.


    ¡°Lord Drogo will face the consequences after the war,¡± I dered, exchanging a knowing look with Frank.


    ¡®And the traitor makes his move. Lord Drogo, you¡¯ve be increasingly predictable,¡¯ I thought to myself.


    ¡°What about his men who are supposed to fight with us?¡± one of the sentinels inquired.


    ¡°We won¡¯t need their help to secure victory in this battle,¡± I said through gritted teeth. My increasing impatience quashed further inquiries.


    ****


    I sat alone on the ground, watching the sun sinking below the horizon. My privacy was interrupted when I felt someone sit beside me.


    ¡°I came here to be alone,¡± I told Frank without ncing in his direction.


    ¡°I know,¡± he responded tersely.


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡± I furrowed my brow, and my eyes locked on the vast emptiness before us.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be alone,¡± he admitted, using his arms as support.


    ¡°Find someone else,¡± I pushed him away.


    ¡°No, thanks,¡± he persisted.


    ¡°You¡¯re fired!¡± I growled, sparing a brief sideways nce at him.


    ¡°Only your father could fire me,¡± he retorted stubbornly.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead, and I¡¯m your Alpha now,¡± I snapped, stating the undeniable fact.


    ¡°Exactly, and since you control the North, I must obey you. But remember, I¡¯m still your right hand,¡± he retorted, sounding annoyed.


    I yfully punched his arm, and he chuckled in response.


    ¡°Dickhead!¡± I chuckled lightly.


    ¡°Are you prepared?¡± He looked at my attire and the gun I held.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, want to test me?¡± I gestured towards the gun.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± he smirked at my calm response.


    ¡°I am ready for this war,¡± I dered calmly.


    ¡°Are you?¡± I turned the question back to him.


    He nodded without uttering a word.


    ¡°Still no word from Maria?¡± I asked deliberately.


    He remained silent in response to my query.


    ¡°Nothing at all,¡± he eventually replied after a brief pause.


    ¡°Do you think she might have escaped and wasn¡¯t actually looking for Miss Cercei?¡± he suddenly asked.


    ¡°No,¡± my eyes remained fixed on the setting sun.


    ¡°Is that what you think?¡± I threw the question back at him.


    ¡°No,¡± he replied firmly.


    ¡°She¡¯s not like that,¡± he continued. I nodded in agreement. While I might not know Maria well, I sensed that she would do whatever it took to save Cercei.


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll meet her there,¡± I suggested, trying to ease his concerns.


    ¡°Perhaps¡­ she always does what she wants,¡± Frank muttered.


    I nced at him, and he, too, was staring at the setting sun.

 Chapter 125: I鈥檓 Pregnant

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡®You¡¯re pregnant,¡¯ the words echoed in my mind like a melody passing through my ears.


    I¡¯m pregnant. I¡¯m pregnant with Lucian¡¯s child.


    This revtion exins my recent surge of emotions, the heightened sensitivity to smells, the constant nausea, and my frequent pickiness with food.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    Inside my womb, a new life is taking shape.


    Tears welled up in my eyes as I gently cradled my stomach, though there was no visible bump yet. Besides the morning sickness, the persistent nausea, and mood swings, I didn¡¯t feel anything and was oblivious to the little life slowly growing inside my womb.


    I should have considered the possibility of this little one¡¯s arrival before I left Lucian and started this journey halfway around the world. I shouldn¡¯t have put my unborn child at risk.


    I wish I could turn back time and return to the moment before I left. Now, all I feel is relief that we¡¯re both safe. I need to be more careful from this point on. I¡¯ve engaged in a long travel, endured stress, and even bled. How could I have been so thoughtless? If only I had realized it soon.


    ¡®I¡¯m so sorry, baby,¡¯ I whispered to the tiny life inside me.


    I couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sadness when I thought about Lucian¡¯s potential reaction. What if he became angry? What if he insisted on an abortion? He wasn¡¯t exactly prepared for amitted rtionship. Given his responsibilities with his pack andpany, a child might be too much for him. This baby could be viewed as yet another burden on his already overflowing te.


    I didn¡¯t want to keep this from him. I wanted to be fair, even though I doubted he¡¯d be thrilled to hear the news or see me. Nevertheless, this child was the product of both our actions.


    Regardless of his response, I was determined to raise this child. Despite my life¡¯s mess and theplexity of my situation, I would raise this child.


    ¡®Oh, my dear baby, I will do anything for you, even if I have to do it all over again.¡¯


    ¡°You need to rest. I¡¯ll find you the best obstetrician-gynecologist. I¡¯ll provide anything you might need,¡± Monsieur dered, his warm smile radiating as he gently stroked my head.


    We hadn¡¯t talked about what happened at the ball. Honestly, I didn¡¯t have the energy for it. Discussing it would only add to my stress, and the doctor had explicitly warned me to avoid that.


    He hadn¡¯t brought it up either. We¡¯d address it when the time was right.


    I hadn¡¯t seen Vienna since discovering I was pregnant. Monsieur suggested giving her some time. I understood that Vienna had feelings for Lucian; she was meant to be his fianc¨¦e, so it was natural for her to be hurt. Sometimes, I wondered how much easier things might have been if they had ended up together.


    ¡°My Lady,¡± the kitchen panicked when they saw me.


    ¡°You should have just called us; you didn¡¯t need toe downstairs. You¡¯re vulnerable right now,¡± they fretted with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant, not disabled,¡± I retorted, taking a seat on a tall chair. Some even gasped when they saw me climb onto it ¨C it was quite high, after all.


    ¡°My Lady, please be cautious,¡± one of the servants implored, on the verge of tears. I sighed, suspecting that Monsieur had either threatened or instructed them to be overly cautious.


    I carefully got down from the chair.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have my breakfast in the garden; please bring it to me when it¡¯s ready,¡± I instructed. They sighed in relief as my feet touched the ground.


    I didn¡¯t want to trouble others by having them bring me meals. I had functioning limbs and had been brought up not to be a spoiled brat. However, I also recognized the fragility of my pregnancy, and I had promised myself that I would be careful.


    I can¡¯t deny the MoonStone garden offered a breathtaking and serene view, with its sprawling white roses that had a calming effect on my mind.


    As I sipped my juice, my eyes suddenly widened when I spotted a familiar figure in the distance.


    I almost choked on the drink in my hand.


    ¡°Vincent¡­ Vince!¡± I called out enthusiastically, raising my hands in the air. He, however, turned his head in the opposite direction.


    ¡°Stupid!¡± I muttered under my breath.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I called again, now waving my hands sideways to catch his attention. Finally, he noticed me and made his way over.


    Why was he here? Right, he was a spy. How skilled must he be to enter and leave this mansion without arousing suspicion? And how had he managed to earn Monsieur¡¯s trust? I knew Monsieur didn¡¯t trust anyone easily. Vincent had been the Alpha of my mother¡¯s pack, and I couldn¡¯t imagine Monsieur trusting him. Even if Vincent would kiss his ass, Monsieur would probably still think he had ulterior motives. What tricks had Vincent used to stay in the mansion for an extended time?


    Regardless, I had to give him credit for the sess of his n. At least one of us wasn¡¯t failing.


    ¡°Hi,¡± I greeted him with enthusiasm.


    ¡°Hi,¡± he responded, looking somewhat confused as he nced at my meal.


    I noticed his scrutiny, and I yfully offered him a slice of pizza, along with soy sauce for dipping.


    ¡°Breakfast?¡± I asked with a smile, extending the food toward him.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± he replied with a hint of disgust.


    My smile disappeared, and I pulled the food back. Fine! I took an angry bite.


    ¡°You seem quite happy for someone on a mission to kill,¡± he remarked, smirking.


    ¡°Sit,¡± I gestured to an empty seat, and although still slightly puzzled, heplied. I handed him another slice of pizza with the soy sauce, but he shook his head, obviously refusing my offer.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I asked as I chewed my food.


    ¡°Your father and I are business partners,¡± he exined casually.


    ¡°But I thought you were a spy,¡± I innocently countered. His eyes widened, and he quickly scanned the area as if expecting someone to overhear.


    ¡°Shh!¡± he covered my mouth abruptly.


    He quickly removed his hand from my mouth after ensuring nobody heard us.


    ¡°Right,¡± I said, shing a peace sign before dipping my pizza back into the soy sauce. He shot me a deprecating look as he observed my actions.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here; I have so much to tell you,¡± I said excitedly, crossing my legs and leaning closer to him.


    He checked his watch.


    ¡°Share it with others; I¡¯m running out of time,¡± he replied, attempting to rise. I extended my hand and stopped him.


    ¡°Please stay,¡± I pleaded, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes.


    He looked at me for a moment before sighing.


    ¡°Yay!¡± I cheered as he settled back into his seat.


    ¡°So¡­. speak up,¡± he demanded, his brow furrowing in anticipation.

 Chapter 126: Does Lucian Know?

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°You ran away after discovering you¡¯re his daughter, travelled for miles, bled at the ball, and now you¡¯re pregnant?¡± Vincent neatly summarized the series of events that had led to my current situation.


    Casually, I grabbed another slice of pizza and took a bite.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied with a nod, speaking between chewing.


    ¡°Wow,¡± he eximed, sipping his coffee, now fully engrossed in my story.


    ¡°I know,¡± I responded, finding a peculiar enjoyment in discussing my own life. It was certainly more amusing than gossiping about others; at least I wasn¡¯t backstabbing anyone but myself, right?


    ¡°You¡¯re stupid,¡± It was intended as an offensivement, but he sounded impressed.


    ¡°I know,¡± Iughed and yfully raised my palm for a high-five. He looked at me, shortly baffled.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked, sounding puzzled. I reached for his hand and gently pped it against mine.


    ¡°High five,¡± I said, rolling my eyes at his amusement.


    ¡°Oh,¡± he grinned and chuckled.


    ¡°Anyway, what¡¯s the n now?¡± He inquired eagerly, still wearing a wide grin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a n yet,¡± I replied with a shrug.


    ¡°Does Lucian know?¡± Vincent asked, his brows furrowing in concern.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I replied softly, a tinge of sadness crossing my eyes.


    ¡°Does your mother know?¡± Vincent¡¯s voice grew deeper as he posed the question.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either. If my mom returned to the North, she might have discovered that I ran away again,¡± I said with a hint of sadness, setting aside my half-eaten pizza.


    ¡°What do you know, then?¡± Vincent¡¯s brows knitted, and he slightly rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Is it a girl or a boy?¡± He suddenly leaned forward, his interest piqued.


    ¡°It¡¯s too early to tell. I¡¯m only a few weeks pregnant,¡± I replied, pouting slightly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have high-tech sonograms here?¡± he inquired.


    ¡°We do, but that can¡¯t determine the gender at this early stage,¡± I exined, dipping my pizza into the sauce again. It was utterly delicious; it had been my craving since I woke up. Pineapple on pizza, paired with soy sauce, was pure heaven. Why hadn¡¯t I thought of this before?


    ¡°Oh,¡± Vincent muttered as the exnation finally made sense.


    ¡°You should visit here more often,¡± I suggested, casting a yful nce his way.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Vincent quickly declined, shaking his head.


    ¡°Why not?¡± I pouted and gave him an insistent re.


    ¡°Remus would notice our closeness, and he¡¯d be suspicious. I¡¯ve spent a lot of time gaining his trust,¡± he exined the circumstances in a serious tone.


    ¡°Just say you¡¯re courting me,¡± I suggested, offering the perfect alibi.


    ¡°What?¡± Vincent looked intrigued.


    ¡°Just tell him that you saw me at the ball, found me attractive, and decided to offer yourself as a suitable match,¡± I proposed, providing a foolproof excuse for him.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too bad,¡± Vincent nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully.


    I chuckled at his reaction. ¡°I know, I¡¯ve be quite clever,¡± I quipped, proudly patting my chest.


    ¡°Smart enough to get pregnant, I suppose,¡± Vincent chimed in, instantly widening his grin.


    I shot him a sharp look as he tried to contain hisughter.


    ****


    The next day, Vincent came to visit once more. He was amusing, always ready with a wittyment or a humorous remark. It was refreshing to have someone around who could make meugh.


    Surprisingly, Monsieur allowed Vincent to visit frequently. On second thought, it did make sense as a believable cover story. Nobody would question a possible romantic connection between us. While I did not want it to be true, it could benefit Vincent. He was a skilled businessman who led a powerful pack, not to mention he was the Alpha of my mom¡¯s pack.


    At night, I often stared at the stars and the full moon, cradling my stomach as I thought about the life growing inside my womb. I couldn¡¯t wait to meet my baby. I wondered if our child would take after me or Lucian. Maybe they¡¯d inherit his captivating ocean-blue eyes, which I adored. Those eyes always felt so intense when they met mine, like staring into a vast, boundless sky.


    I sighed while I continued staring at the full moon. I yearned for the freedom to transform into my wolf form and run through the forest, but that was no longer an option. Transforming was dangerous, and I couldn¡¯t risk injuring myself or the baby. Moreover, as a wolf, my heightened senses, especially my sense of smell, would be overwhelming. Even the scent of leaves could make me feel nauseous. I had an intense hatred for the smell of leaves recently.


    It was frustrating. I loved being in the garden, but the strong scent of leaves could be overpowering. Thankfully, the fragrance of roses managed to prevail, making it bearable for a short while.


    Unable to sleep, I decided to take ate-night stroll. The mansion was heavily guarded, and I felt safe within its walls. Descending the stairs, I spotted Vienna in the living room. I called out to her, and she nced up from her phone.


    Her eyes drifted down to my hands resting on my stomach, a habit I had developed. Even though there was no visible bump yet, I liked to rest my hands there. It made me feel closer to the baby growing inside me.


    Vienna looked at me briefly before getting up and walking away. I sighed; she still needed time, and I didn¡¯t want to rush her.


    The guards opened the door for me as I stepped outside, and the cool, breezy night air greeted me. It felt refreshing as it caressed my face.


    What a peaceful night it was.


    As I continued my quiet stroll through the garden, I couldn¡¯t help but admire the white roses, which seemed to radiate under the moonlight. They appeared like glowing bulbs, their beauty and fragrance heightened by the soft moonbeams. The garden was truly a mesmerizing sight at night, with its peaceful ambiance and captivating scenery. While it remained enchanting during the day, there was an undeniable allure to it under the veil of darkness.


    Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly felt the presence of someone behind me. I nced over my shoulder, but there was no one in sight. It could have been a servant or one of Monsieur¡¯s men patrolling the area. I resumed my walk, but the feeling of being followed persisted.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    My heart raced, and I instinctively ced my hand on my belly, assuming the protective stancemon among pregnant women. I quickened my pace, still sensing someone closely following me. Anxiety overwhelmed me, and I decided to make a sharp turn into a cluster of bushes. Coming to an abrupt stop, I spun around and grabbed the person¡¯s arm, swiftly pulling them toward me. I applied pressure to their neck with my palms, causing them to fall to the ground before I even realized who it was.


    The seconds flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, I released my grip and gasped in shock.


    ¡°Maria!¡± I eximed, my voice filled with relief and remorse as I saw her face. She held her own neck, trying to catch her breath.


    I quickly extended my hand, helping her to her feet, my guilt weighing me down. ¡°I¡¯m deeply sorry, Maria. You startled me; please forgive me,¡± I pleaded as I brushed the dust from her clothes.


    We walked together into the moonlight, where we could see each other more clearly.

 Chapter 127: Beginning Of The War

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I murmured, reaching for Maria¡¯s hands.


    She was dressed in all ck, her hair neatly braided.


    Then, I slowly knelt down, a gesture that seemed to catch her off guard.


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing?¡± she eximed in surprise.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Maria,¡± I began, my voice filled with genuine remorse. ¡°I know what I did to you in the North was a betrayal. I asked for your help and then betrayed you. I came here to kill Monsieur, but things took a different turn, and I¡­¡± My voice trailed off, and tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn¡¯t hold back the overwhelming emotions.


    Maria knelt down to my level and gently grasped both my arms, helping me to stand.


    ¡°I understand,¡± she whispered softly.


    A tear slid down my cheek, and I shook my head, unable to speak.


    ¡°No, I deserve your anger, and I¡¯d understand if you never want to be friends with me again,¡± I sobbed as tears streamed down my face.


    ¡°Cercei, our friendship may not be perfect, but the reasons behind our actions were necessary. I lied, you lied, and it¡¯s all forgiven,¡± Maria reassured me. She chuckled softly. ¡°And I forgive you for choking me earlier. I know I must have looked a bit scary, but that was just an act of self-defense.¡± She chuckled and smiled at me.


    ¡°But it hurts like hell,¡± she added, clutching her neck again. I pulled her into a tight hug, expressing the deep sense of longing and remorse I felt.


    ¡°I missed you,¡± I whispered while holding her close.


    ¡°I miss you too, bitch,¡± she yfully teased, giving my hair a gentle tug. Iughed in response, feeling a sense of relief and warmth at her words.


    As we pulled away from each other, I couldn¡¯t help but notice the changes in her appearance.


    ¡°You had a makeover?¡± I asked, touching her braids, which were now a different colour, even in the dim light.


    ¡°Yeah, I had to make some changes so no one could easily recognize me,¡± she exined, a hint of a smile ying on her lips.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I suddenly asked, my curiosity piqued.


    ¡°I¡¯vee to take you back,¡± Maria dered with a determined expression.


    ¡°He still wants me back?¡± I asked, sounding uncertain. Maria looked at me as if I had asked the most absurd question.


    Of course, he does. That man loves you deeply, and you keep leaving him,¡± she said, lightly knocking my forehead. I let out a childlike wail, not from pain but from the overwhelming realization that Lucian still wanted me back despite I left him several times.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him to be burdened by my problems; this is my war,¡± I insisted stubbornly.


    ¡°It¡¯s his war too, don¡¯t forget, Remus killed his mother,¡± Maria quickly reminded me, her words carrying the weight of a painful truth.


    ¡°I know, but I wanted to end Remus¡¯ life with my own hands,¡± I nodded, my tears still flowing freely.


    I would have refused to go with her if Maria had arrived a few days earlier. I would have hesitated to return, doubting Lucian¡¯s love.


    But now that I know I¡¯m pregnant with his child, there¡¯s no safer ce in this world than in his arms. It¡¯s not just for my safety or the baby; it¡¯s because I choose to be with him, and my heart will always belong to him.


    As Maria offered her hands, my sobs grew louder, and I gratefully epted them. However, before our palms could even touch, we heard approaching footsteps.


    ¡°Quick, hide!¡± I panicked, and in a swift motion, Maria concealed herself behind a nearby bush. Iposed myself, wiping away the tears and clearing my throat, trying to appear as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°Mydy, you need toe with us,¡± one of the men stated. They looked agitated, and there were five of them, all massive and muscr.


    ¡°Why?¡± I inquired.


    ¡°The mansion is under attack,¡± he replied, causing my eyes to widen.


    ¡°By whom?¡± I pressed further.


    ¡°The Reds,¡± his words sent a shock through me.


    It was time. The war had begun, and it was happening right now. I looked up at the full moon; of course, the battle would start during a full moon when our werewolf powers were at their peak.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Maria suddenly reemerged from her hiding ce. She stepped out, shifting into a fighting stance, her movements precise and confident.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± one of the men asked.


    ¡°Her kidnapper,¡± she dered beforeunching an attack. Despite the significant size difference between her and the men, Maria¡¯s skills were astonishing. She moved swiftly, her strikes urate, and she appeared to be well-versed in the human body¡¯s weak points. With calcted moves, she brought one of the giants to his knees.


    As she dealt with the fourth man, the fifth man stood up and hovered to strike Maria from behind. But without hesitation, I intervened. I swiftly kicked the back of his knees and delivered a blow to his neck, causing him to crumple to the ground, unconscious. Vienna had nced in our direction upon hearing the impact of the fallen body.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting quite good at that,¡± Mariamented, a smile on her lips.


    ¡°And you have a lot to tell me,¡± I said, suspicion growing. Her fighting skills were far too advanced for a mere servant, and I began to suspect that she was concealing her true identity.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you tomorrow if I¡¯m still alive,¡± she replied, taking my hand.


    We held hands and ran, our escape route uncertain during the chaos.


    As much as I longed to join the battle alongside Lucian, I knew I couldn¡¯t in my current state. I had already risked my baby¡¯s life enough, and we needed to get as far away from the chaos as possible. We would return when the battle was over.


    My heart ached with the longing to stand by Lucian¡¯s side, to assure him that I¡¯d always be there for him despite how many times I had left him in the past. But deep down, I knew that if he were aware of my situation right now, he would want me to prioritise our safety. And so I would, for both of us and for the precious life growing inside me. Silently, I urged him to win this war, not just for our love but for the future we dreamed of building together.


    A smile briefly crossed my lips when I saw the mansion¡¯s gate, which was wide open and seemingly unguarded. It seemed that Lucian¡¯s men had seeded in breaking through. However, my smile faded as I spotted dozens of men emerging from the shadows.


    We stopped abruptly, our steps faltering as we realised the dangerous situation. We retreated a few paces, but it became clear that we were surrounded. Another dozen men had appeared behind us and on both sides, effectively trapping us. By my estimation, at least 40 men were encircling us, all imposing in stature, and the odds were overwhelmingly against us.


    ¡°No,¡± I cried out in despair as they closed in.


    ¡°Lady Cercei, your Father is waiting for you,¡± one of them announced as they drew nearer.


    Maria tried to shield me with her own body, but they forcibly restrained her. Three men held me in ce as well, and I struggled, though I had to be cautious to avoid harming the baby inside me.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    ¡°Let me go, please,¡± I begged, tears streaming down my face, the overwhelming fear almost causing me to vomit.


    Maria valiantly fought against her captors, but their numbers were too great. They covered her nose with a handkerchief, causing her to lose consciousness. Panic surged inside my heart as I witnessed Maria¡¯s unconscious form.


    Thankfully, they did not drug me. It appeared that Monsieur had instructed them to be cautious due to my pregnancy. Grateful that they hadn¡¯t harmed me, I cooperated with them as quietly as possible, praying that we would find a way out of this difficult situation.

 Chapter 128: Where Is She?

    Lucian¡¯s POV


    The moon hung in the night sky, casting its silvery glow on the world below, and I could sense its ethereal strength coursing through me.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to gather the troops,¡± I dered, my face filled with determination. I collected my weapons, handling them with skillful ease. I grabbed a box of bullets and quickly loaded my guns, ensuring they were ready for the uing battle. I secured knives on my belt and boots, ready to serve as backup weapons if my guns ran out of bullets.


    ¡°Lucian,¡± a familiar voice called out, drawing my attention. It was my Uncle John.


    ¡°Be cautious,¡± he urged, sounding concerned in his voice. I nodded in response, our silent understanding spanning the distance between us.


    ¡°You too, Uncle John,¡± I said, giving him a reassuring smile. We exchanged a pat on each other¡¯s backs, a gesture filled with unspoken feelings.


    My purpose was clear. I had to reach her before the war began. She couldn¡¯t be anywhere near this battlefield. The thought of her getting hurt and the unborn child she carried was a burden I could not bear.


    With keys in hand, I wore my mask to hide my face. I had opted for a motorbike; it was practical, inconspicuous, and fast. Using a car would be too noticeable, like a beacon that could draw unwanted attention before I even reached the Moonstone mansion. I nned to secure a car once she was safe with me; I couldn¡¯t risk her riding as a passenger on a motorbike.


    I arrived at the mansion as nned but wentpletely unnoticed. Moving slowly and silently, I approached the guards. I snapped each of their necks before they could react.


    I could have used my silencer, but it felt like a waste of bullets. Plus, taking them down with my bare hands didn¡¯t even make me sweat.


    Getting inside was easy. Sentinels were patrolling the area, but there were plenty of bushes to use as cover.


    Moving swiftly became tricky when I spotted security cameras at every corner. I reached into my pocket, activated my hacking software, and infiltrated their system. I couldn¡¯t shut down the cameras entirely, which would raise suspicion. Instead, I adjusted their angles. They might notice it, but it would buy me enough time to reach her.


    Now, the only challenge is to locate her in this heavily guarded mansion.


    ¡°Invader!¡± one of the sentinels spotted me as I opened a door. Sneaking around was no longer an option. Even if I had to search every corner of this ce, I would.


    There was no time for stealth anymore. Quickly, I raised my gun and silenced their voice before they could react. The gunshot echoed through the corridor.


    Opening another door, I scanned the room.


    Where is she?!


    My heart raced as there was no sign of her. Desperation gnawed at me as I realised the disadvantages I faced.


    Dialling a number on my phone, I issued a sharpmand, ¡°Bring them in.¡±


    I had no other choice. She may appear when the grand battle unfolds.


    I slowly scanned my surroundings, weighing my options. If I couldn¡¯t secure her first, my next goal would be eliminating her father. It seemed like the easier path. Why hadn¡¯t this idea crossed my mind earlier? But no, it felt too simple, too direct.


    I started walking forward and pushed open the door to the master bedroom. The room was empty, with no sign of anyone. A wry scoff slipped from my lips.


    ¡°Still holed up in your office, Remus?¡± I mused aloud as I headed upstairs, a sardonic grin forming. ¡°Working overtime, huh?¡±


    I encountered and took down any sentinel who dared to block my path. Undoubtedly, the entire mansion was now aware of my presence. The red lights cast an eerie glow, and the ring siren echoed through the vast estate, a loud announcement of an unwee intrusion.


    I went to the third floor, where his study was situated. It took some time as I encountered several enemies along the way, and my bullets ran out. I sighed and drew my golden knife. I hated it when my belongings got dirty, but I had no other way to pin them down.


    One by one, I ended their lives by slitting their throats. Stabbing them in the heart would have been quicker, but I believed they deserved a measure of suffering like my mother had endured when they ambushed her.


    The door to Remus¡¯s study was in front of me. To my surprise, it was unlocked. As it creaked open, I was greeted by the sight of Remus seated at his desk, leisurely sipping on bourbon.


    ¡°Lucian,¡± he greeted, his voice carrying a tone of anticipation and his lips curling into a sly smile.


    ¡°Please, take a seat,¡± he beckoned, gesturing to the chair opposite him.


    ¡°How have you been? It¡¯s been quite some time,¡± he inquired casually, as though we were old acquaintances catching up.


    I approached him with measured steps, brimming with anger.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I asked firmly, holding my knife menacingly. Instead of showing fear, a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.


    He nonchntly poured another ss of bourbon and extended it towards me. I gave him an icy re.


    ¡°It¡¯s not poisoned, rest assured. I¡¯m not one for underhanded tactics,¡± he reassured me.


    I quickly returned my knife to its sheath, epted the ss, and downed its contents in one swift motion. Then, I threw the ss into the window, creating a shattering disy. A red beam of light then focused on Remus¡¯s head as my marksman was ready for action.


    ¡°Where is she?¡± I repeated, my voice steady, undeterred by his implied threats.


    ¡°Somewhere safe,¡± he grinned. Impatience gnawed at my nerves, and I stood up, grabbing his cor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fuck with me, you¡¯ll die soon!¡± I warned him through clenched teeth.


    ¡°Tell me, where is she?¡± I seethed, tightening my grip on his cor.


    ¡°One bullet is all it would take to end her life,¡± Remus retorted coldly, a cruel glint in his eye. My eyes widened in shock.


    Reluctantly, I let go of his cor andnded a powerful punch on his face instead.


    ¡°Believe me, Lucian, do you really think you can take her without any effort?¡± heughed, even though blood stained his mouth.


    I tilted my head and smiled. His grin vanished when he saw my expression.


    ¡°You won¡¯t tell me where she is? Then Emilia will die,¡± I threatened him. Finally, the reaction I needed appeared on his face.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m no fool, Lucian. You can¡¯t harm the mother of your beloved; she¡¯d despise you,¡± he said, his jaw clenching.


    ¡°Who mentioned anything about killing?¡± I asked, raising an eyebrow. He clenched his jaw once again.


    ¡°I knew you were bluffing,¡± he challenged.


    I pulled out my phone and dialed Emilia, then put it on speaker.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She answered on the other end.


    ¡°He¡¯s calling your bluff,¡± I said, smiling.


    ¡°Remus, return our daughter, or I¡¯ll take my own life!¡± Emilia¡¯s voice came loudly from the other end.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to deceive me, Emilia,¡± he responded, attempting tough.


    ¡°I have nothing left to live for anyway; you killed my husband and took my daughter along with our grandchild!¡± Emilia retorted immediately.


    ¡°Then be with me, and I¡¯ll make you a Queen,¡± Remus urged, and I scoffed at his offer.


    ¡°I want nothing to do with your empire. Now, return Cercei to Lucian,¡± Emilia demanded, her voice growing in anger.


    ¡°No!¡± Remus instantly refused, and my jaw clenched at his response.


    ¡°Well then,¡± We heard a loud gun click from the other side of the line.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve known me for a long time; you know I don¡¯t make empty threats or bluffs. Goodbye, Remus,¡± Emilia dered, her voice was firm.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Remus quickly stopped her. I almost smiled when I saw how tightly he closed his eyes.


    You and I are more alike than you think. I pondered.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to her,¡± he said to me.


    I ended the call.


    ¡°Just remember, if you¡¯re lying, she¡¯ll end her own life,¡± I warned him.


    He straightened himself angrily and led the way.


    He led me to an underground site that his men heavily guarded.


    Two chairs stood in a ss room below, with Maria and Cercei sitting there. Maria was unconscious, and Cercei¡¯s eyes widened when she saw me. I struggled to contain my emotions.


    The door opened after scanning Remus¡¯s iris. Although Cercei was tied up, with her mouth, hands, and feet taped, she tried to run toward me but could barely move.

 Chapter 129: Lucian Came To Take Me Back

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    Lucian came and stood before me, giving me hope during the raging war. My heart filled with joy, and I tried to scream his name, but only muffled sounds came from my taped mouth.


    ¡°Untie her,¡± Lucianmanded firmly, addressing Monsieur.


    Monsieur¡¯s jaw clenched, and he signalled one of his men. The man, trembling with fear, approached me with a knife and carefully began to cut the tapes.


    As the tape peeled off, I wasted no time and rushed toward Lucian, my saviour. My desperate longing to reach him was obvious as I stretched my arms.


    However, Monsieur stopped me mid-way, gripping my arm firmly. My protests fell on deaf ears as he forcefully lowered my hand.


    ¡°Let her go,¡± Lucian demanded, drawing a knife from his belt. He looked menacingly angry.


    ¡°You are seriously outnumbered, Lucian,¡± Remus taunted, a vicious grin twisting his lips.


    I looked around and realized starkly that Lucian and I were up against insurmountable odds. His courage and strength alone wouldn¡¯t guarantee our escape, and my presence would only hinder him.


    ¡°You want to test Emilia¡¯s patience? It seems you still believe she¡¯s bluffing,¡± Lucian asserted.


    ¡®Bluff? Who¡¯s bluffing who?¡¯ I pondered.


    The room was tense as Remus and Lucian locked eyes, each man daring the other to take the first step.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Remus replied, and his re was persistent. He tightened his grip on me, emphasizing his control over the situation.


    ¡°I call her bluff right here, right now, in front of our daughter,¡± he dered, a sinister grin ying on his lips.


    Lucian clenched his jaw, the consequence of our predicament etched across his face.


    ¡°You see, you¡¯re not the only one with a brain,¡± Remus taunted, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips.


    Suddenly, we were jolted by a series of deafening explosions, and the ground quaked beneath us. Lucian remained remarkablyposed, offering a calm smile.


    ¡°That was the first among the five,¡± Lucian remarked, his revtion leaving me in stunned disbelief. Bombs? Lucian had nted bombs throughout the Moonstone mansion.


    ¡°Bomb this ce, and we all die, including your little heir,¡± Monsieur interjected, his hand hovering over my t stomach. The realization of our difficult situation struck me like a thunderbolt.


    ¡°This ce is bomb-proof, correct?¡± Lucian inquired, his gaze sweeping the ss walls surrounding us.


    ¡°The only thing that can destroy us here is each other,¡± he continued, a sly grin emerging on his face.


    At this moment, Lucian¡¯s men appeared from the shadows, encircling Monsieur¡¯s henchmen who had encircled us.


    Monsieur¡¯s grip on me tightened further, his desperation bing clear.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but should any of you take a step closer, she will pay the price,¡± Monsieur warned, a knife pressed to my throat.


    I closed my eyes in sheer terror, feeling the cold, sharp edge against my skin.


    ¡°You won¡¯t kill your own daughter, Remus,¡± Lucian seethed, his eyes boring into Monsieur with unbridled rage.


    ¡°I might not kill her, but your child¡­¡± Monsieur¡¯s voice trailed off, his words dripping with venom. He shifted the knife from my throat to my pregnant belly, a gesture that filled me with dread.


    ¡°No!¡± I screamed, tears streaming down my face, my pleas for mercy and protection falling on deaf ears.


    ¡°Don¡¯t harm my child, please,¡± I begged, my voice trembling in fear. Lucian¡¯s anger red, intensifying as he red at Remus.


    ¡°You can certainly try,¡± an unexpected voice interjected, sending shockwaves through the room.


    It was my mother. The previously locked ss door stood ajar, allowing her to enter.


    ¡°Mam¨¤,¡± I eximed, a surge of relief flooding my heart in her presence.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I was bluffing,¡± she remarked, her eyes locked onto Monsieur and a handgun aimed directly at him. Monsieur appeared bewildered by her sudden appearance and was looking at the unlocked door.


    ¡°You seem to have forgotten that I¡¯m a hacker, Remus, a skilled one at that,¡± my mother remarked, her tone filled with triumph as she approached us.


    A sly smirk yed on her lips as she pointed her weapon squarely at Monsieur.


    ¡°Now, release my daughter,¡± she demanded, the gun remained firm in her grip.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to do this,¡± Monsieur countered, his head tilted to the side, seemingly calm.


    ¡°But this is all I¡¯ve ever wanted,¡± Lucian dered firmly, his voice echoing in the room.


    Monsieur released me, and he transformed into his Alpha wolf form, sending shivers down my spine. His fangs gleamed white and menacing, while his fur turned a deep, ominous ck. A guttural growl escaped his throat, and in response, Lucian¡¯s men also shifted into their wolves, preparing themselves for the uing battle.


    Lucian also shifted into his powerful Alpha wolf form, his eyes locking onto Monsieur with fury, zing in them.


    My mother stayed in her human form, positioning herself between me and the escting chaos. Panic wrapped her voice as she urged me to leave.


    ¡°Maria!¡± I cried out, my heart heavy with worry for her. On the other hand, my mother acted quickly, freeing Maria from her restraints and helping her to her feet.


    ¡°Maria, wake up!¡± she urgently called, shaking her gently. Maria¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and I was relieved to see her consciousness returning.


    ¡°Come on, we don¡¯t have much time. The door will close in a minute,¡± my mother urged, supporting Maria as they made their way toward the exit.


    ¡°Lucian!¡± I cried out in anguish as I saw him thrown against the wall. A pained whimper escaped his wolf form.


    But before we could escape, Monsieur blocked our way, his growls filled with menacing authority.


    ¡°No!¡± My mother¡¯s eyes widened in fear as the red light blinked, signaling that the doors had sealed shut again. This ss is bomb-proof. It can withstand any impact. The only way to open it is through Monsieur.


    ¡°I¡¯ll open this door, even if I have to dig out his eyes,¡± Mam¨¤ dered, swiftly transforming into her wolf.


    She attacked Monsieur with her ws and fangs. She was quick and powerful, but Monsieur, as an Alpha, was even faster and stronger.


    An Alpha draws strength from his packs and his territory, and this is the South, where his mansion is located. He was more powerful than they were.


    Now, on his feet, Lucian joined the battle, attacking Monsieur with my mother. The odds appeared overwhelming, and I could only watch helplessly from the corner, my heart aching with tension, unsure of victory or defeat.


    Still weakened from the drugs, Maria sat on the sidelines, silently witnessing the chaos that had erupted.


    ¡°Cercei,¡± Maria called out weakly, drawing my attention. I hurried to her side.


    ¡°He¡¯s too strong. He derives his strength from this ce,¡± I sobbed, my voice trembling.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Maria¡¯s voice was faint as she coughed, but it grew stronger as she continued, ¡°You¡¯re stronger too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re his heir, the next Alpha of the South, just like him. You draw your strength from this ce,¡± she exined urgently. ¡°Show him, Cercei.¡±


    I hesitated, fear gripping me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± I whispered, clutching my stomach protectively.


    ¡°Cercei, you¡¯re strong, and your baby is even stronger than us. Trust in yourself,¡± Maria urged, and her words resonated with strong faith.


    Summoning every ounce of courage, I took a deep breath and quickly shifted. My body twisted and changed, bones cracking and switching. My hands became ws, and my fangs grew. In a short moment, I totally shifted into a strong female Alpha, and my eyes fixed on Monsieur.


    I howled, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention in the room, including Lucian.


    I noticed him shaking his head, and fear flickered in his eyes when he saw my wolf form, but I ignored him.


    In my full Alpha form, I initiated the attack against Monsieur,unching an unrelenting attack with ws and bites. Anguish and anger overwhelmed me, and I showed no mercy. Monsieur, weakened by ourbined efforts, fought back fiercely.


    Lucian¡¯s growl reverberated through the room as he lunged at Monsieur, sinking his fangs into his neck. Blood flowed, marking a turning point in the battle.


    The intense battle gradually wore down Monsieur until he could no longer resist ourbined strength. He transformed into his human form, unconscious and defeated.


    Lucian carried him to the scanner, and I thanked the heavens as we finally stepped out of that ss enclosure.


    ¡°I love you,¡± I whispered to Lucian, tears of relief and love streaming down my face.

 Chapter 130: Maria Sinclair

    Frank¡¯s POV


    The huge war erupted, and I stood my ground against Remus¡¯s men, swiftly pulling my trigger. Each shot sent their lifeless bodies tumbling to the ground, giving me a twisted sense of satisfaction as the battle escted.


    The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on me as I scanned the chaotic battlefield, longing to see her by my side. Yet, Maria remained nowhere to be found.


    With increasing worry and a heavy heart, I realized that Lucian had not provided the promised update. He should have signalled the detonation of the second bomb after the first, but the ominous silence hung like a shroud over the situation. Worry crept in as I pondered his well-being.


    I made a choice; I had to enter the Moonstone mansion to search for Lucian myself. Amidst the chaos of gunshots and the growls of those who had transformed into wolves, I pushed forward to find them, particrly Cercei and Maria.


    I kept my aim steady, taking down every MoonStone wolf blocking my path. They were easily identifiable by the white cors around their necks. However, my actions came to a sudden halt when I spotted Vienna. She pointed her gun at me, and instinctively, I raised my hands to defuse the growing confrontation.


    ¡°Mydy,¡± I greeted, but tension lingered in the air as Vienna¡¯s grip on her gun tightened, her red eyes burning with anger.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight with you,¡± I tried to reason, extending an open hand in a gesture of peace, but her stance remained firm.


    ¡°Then you will die here,¡± she shot back, her words dripping with venom, her head tilting as her eyes turned a sinister shade of red.


    ¡°Drop your weapon, Vienna,¡± another voice suddenly interrupted, interrupting the standoff. Lady Cercei, apanied by Lady Emilia and Maria, approached us. Lady Cercei¡¯s arrival spurred me into action.


    Seeing Maria weakly hanging onto Lady Emilia¡¯s shoulder, I rushed toward them. I took Maria into my arms, feeling a rush of relief as my worry vanished instantly. She smiled, recognizing me as I held her close.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dad?¡± Vienna shouted angrily, her gun pointed at Lady Cercei as she demanded information.


    ¡°Trapped in his own ss jail,¡± Lady Cercei¡¯s response shattered the tension, revealing the dire predicament of Remus. Her tone bore a sense of sadness as she moved closer to Vienna.


    ¡°You bitch!¡± Vienna erupted in a burst of fury, hurling curses at Lady Cercei, her anger reaching a boiling point. She was ready to pull the trigger, but Lucian intervened just in time.


    ¡°You don¡¯t talk to her that way,¡± Lucian stepped in swiftly, knocking her gun away. His voice was cold as he scolded her.


    ¡°Come with me; I¡¯ll find a safe ce for you,¡± I whispered to Maria, attempting to pull her away from the situation.


    She shook her head instantly.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I can still fight. Just give me a minute,¡± she stubbornly refused.


    ¡°No, you look weak,¡± I argued, my arms wrapped tightly around her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been drugged,¡± she swiftly revealed, and her words struck me like thunder.


    ¡°What?¡± My eyes widened.


    ¡°How dare you, stealing bastard,¡± Vienna¡¯s hostility surged as she pointed usingly at Lady Cercei.


    Suddenly, her men rallied behind her with evil intent.


    ¡°The man who kills anyone will be richly rewarded,¡± she dered, motivating the men. They began to approach with great eagerness.


    As they advanced, I drew my guns and shot them. Alpha Lucian fought with me, wielding his knife, while Lady Emilia did the same.


    When my bullets ran out, and the battle turned into hand-to-handbat, I resorted to using my bare hands, but it didn¡¯t seem to be enough. A group of Remus¡¯s men surrounded me, and I faced them fiercely as I transformed into my wolf form. My fangs sank ruthlessly into their necks, ending their lives.


    As I dealt with thest enemy, Lady Vienna pulled out a gun and aimed it at me.


    She was about to pull the trigger, but someone rushed forward and redirected her hand, identally causing her to shoot her own ally.


    It was Maria.


    Vienna dropped the gun in surprise, and Maria lunged at her,unching a fierce attack.


    Vienna swiftly defended herself, breaking free from Maria¡¯s attack and throwing her to the ground. Panic surged through me as I rushed to Maria¡¯s side. I couldn¡¯t bear to see her hurt, and my anger red up as I cursed Lady Vienna inwardly.


    ¡°You forget yourself, Maria,¡± Vienna scolded her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare hurt her, or I¡¯ll end your life,¡± I snarled, my eyes burning with fury as I shifted back into my human form. I swiftly retrieved a knife from my pocket, pressing it against Vienna¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Let her go, Frank,¡± Lady Cercei¡¯s authoritativemand cut through the tension. I clenched my jaw and reluctantly withdrew my knife away from her throat.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Maria somewhere safe,¡± I said, quickly spinning around, grabbing her arm, and taking the opportunity to shield her from further harm.


    ¡°Please, slow down,¡± Lady Cercei implored, but I kept walking, carrying Maria in my arms, distancing ourselves from the battleground.


    I drove about five miles from the mansion¡¯s gates and then stopped, conveniently parking the car nearby. Given the urgency of the situation, I quickly retrieved my emergency kit and my only focus was ensuring Maria¡¯s well-being.


    ¡°Frank,¡± she called my name, her voice carrying a note of familiarity that piqued my curiosity.


    I turned my gaze towards her, preparing to tend to her injuries.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she began, and the sincerity in her voice touched me.


    I continued what I was doing, pouring alcohol onto a cotton ball, ready to tend to her wounds.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I lied,¡± she confessed further. My hands stilled briefly, waiting for her revtion.


    ¡°About what?¡± I asked, my expression stern and my brows furrowed.


    Maria hesitated, finding it difficult to put her thoughts into words.


    ¡°Then you are not forgiven,¡± I dered, disposing of the used cotton ball and closing my medical kit.


    ¡°I am Maria Sinir,¡± she uttered, finally revealing her secret, her voice trembling with the weight of her confession.


    ¡®Sinir? Did I hear it right?¡¯ I pondered.


    ¡°I am the heir to my pack, and I was trained to be an assassin,¡± she continued her words, a confession of her past.


    ¡°Sinir?¡± I repeated her family name loudly, myriad emotions swirling inside my heart. She nodded, her gaze downcast.


    The Sinirs are one of the most powerful families in the world, with a long history of strong Alphas. Their name carries immense power, legacy, and influence. My eyes widened at this revtion.


    ¡°Why are you a servant?¡± I asked, wanting to understand more. She closed her eyes, a single tear sliding down her cheek.


    ¡°I was a coward,¡± she admitted, her voice breaking as her tears fell freely.


    ¡°I was afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to see the world if I had such responsibility that I wouldn¡¯t enjoy my life. I was scared of the expectations, scared of ruling. So, I ran away from my pack,¡± she confessed. Her guilt and remorse were clear.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s stupid,¡± she added, and I shook my head emphatically.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± I assured her, gently brushing away her tears with my thumb.


    ¡°But I¡¯m still Maria, the servant woman you once thought you hated,¡± she said, trying to wipe away her tears gently, her lips forming a slight smile. I only stared at her, my expression serious.


    ¡°No matter who you are, you taught me how to love you, and titles don¡¯t change that,¡± I confessed, telling my feelings to her.


    ¡°You love me?¡± Maria¡¯s surprise and vulnerability shone through her eyes.


    ¡°I love you, Maria Sinir,¡± I dered, pouring my heart into every word.


    ¡°I love you more, Frank Seymour,¡± she uttered a sincere promise as we sealed it with a heartfelt kiss.


    At this moment, despite the chaos and our shared injuries, with the echoes of war just five miles away, we embraced each other, lost in a passionate kiss.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be Maria Sinir again; this time, I won¡¯t be scared,¡± she vowed between our kisses.


    No matter the path she chose or the challenges ahead, I knew that I would stand by her side, offering her my unyielding love and support.

 Chapter 131: Finale: Perfect Day

    Cercei¡¯s POV


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your mercy,¡± Vienna spat at me, her words dripping with venom.


    ¡°Vienna, we¡¯ve been at each other¡¯s throats our whole life already. And we¡¯ve finally started to get along recently,¡± I said, my voice carrying a plea for understanding as I tried to persuade her.


    ¡°We will never get along. You always take what¡¯s mine,¡± She cried out, her anger and frustration pouring out.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it. I¡¯ll give it back to you, please,¡± I begged, reaching out my hand as a symbol of reconciliation. However, she red at me, causing me to retract it.


    ¡°How? You already ruined it,¡± She scanned the wreckage around us, tears still glistening in her eyes.


    The mansion was totally destroyed, showing how intense the battle had been. Expensive jars were shattered, the floors and ceiling were damaged, and there were red stains on every surface.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help you rebuild it, this time not made out of crime. We can start again. Please, sister?¡± I approached Vienna, reaching out to embrace her.


    Lucian appeared tense, ready to intervene, but my mother subtly signalled him to hold back, conveying assurance through her gaze.


    ¡°Together,¡± I whispered, reaching for Vienna¡¯s hands slowly. She stared at me through tear-filled eyes, her vulnerability shining through like a wounded puppy.


    ¡°You know, it really hurts me that you don¡¯t want my empire, Cercei,¡± a voice interrupted our heartfelt moment. We both turned around to see Remus approaching us, his appearance battered and bloodied, his left eye swollen, and a noticeable limp in his step.


    ¡°Remus,¡± Mam¨¤ growled, and her deep contempt was apparent.


    ¡°Oh, hello, my love,¡± he greeted with a twisted smile. I clenched my fists, unable to believe that this despicable man was still alive.


    ¡°Come here, Vienna,¡± He called out to my sister.


    I instinctively shielded Vienna behind me, forming a protective barrier against the man who had caused us so much pain.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯m your father. I gave you everything you could ever want. I raised you and loved you,¡± Remus argued, his voice growing more intense.


    ¡°He killed your mother,¡± Mam¨¤ used him harshly. Monsieur¡¯s eyes widened, as did Vienna¡¯s.


    ¡°Madam Cec¨¨ told me she was the one who prepared the poison. Only she didn¡¯t know for whom it was. Your father put a knife to her throat and forced her to make it,¡± my mother revealed, and Vienna stared at her father with disbelief in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡­¡± Remus faltered, attempting to justify his actions.


    ¡°You told me she died giving birth to me!¡± Vienna¡¯s voice trembled with anger as she confronted him.


    ¡°Dad, I spent my life ming myself for her death. I wished every night that I had a mother, and you were the one that killed her? You poisoned her?¡± Vienna¡¯s spat and sounded hurt.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Why? Is it because of her?¡± She looked at my mother, her devastation shown in her eyes.


    ¡°Vienna, I did what I had to do. Your mother was crazy; she would¡¯ve messed up your brain, and she would¡¯ve been bad to you,¡± Monsieur tried to justify his cruel actions, but his excuses fell t.


    ¡°I gave you everything you could ever need. You grew up just fine. You don¡¯t need her. Come on,¡± He extended his hand towards Vienna.


    ¡°Vienna,¡± I called out to her as she slowly stepped away from my back. I moved to stop her, but Lucian¡¯s firm grip held me back.


    ¡°Let her be, it¡¯s her decision,¡± he whispered.


    Monsieur¡¯s smile widened as Vienna approached him. He enfolded her into a tight embrace.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯re a good girl,¡± he uttered softly, slowly patting her back.


    However, Remus¡¯s happiness was short-lived. Suddenly, his eyes widened, blood trickling from his nose and mouth. Gasping for breath, he copsed to his knees.


    Vienna pulled away from the hug, leaving me in stunned silence as I watched her next actions. She stabbed our father in the chest with a dagger, and tears flowed freely from her eyes as she stared at him.


    ¡°You killed my mother, so I collected your debt!¡± Vienna¡¯s voice was cold and sharp as she yelled at our father.


    ¡°I spent my life chasing after your affirmations, but you always make me feel so undeserving.¡± Tears mixed with her words as she watched him struggle for breath.


    ¡°Goodbye, Daddy!¡± With those words, Monsieur¡¯s lifeless body fell to the ground. Vienna broke down, her cries echoing through the wreckage.


    I rushed to her side and quickly enveloped her in aforting embrace.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start over. We¡¯ll start a clean life,¡± I reassured her, trying to offerfort between our tears and the profound anguish we both felt.


    The war came to an end shortly after Monsieur¡¯s death. With him gone, I now stand as the pack¡¯s Alpha, and my pack members fight by my side. Some did not ept my leadership and chose to leave. However, what truly matters is that the conflict is finally over.


    We had won the war, emerging as conquerors in the face of trouble.


    ****


    I satfortably in a soft chair on the terrace, staring at the mesmerizing sunrise, my fingers wrapped around a warm cup of milk. The morning breeze kissed my skin, and it felt like a gentle caress from nature itself. It was a moment of pure serenity.


    A contented smile appeared on my lips when I felt Lucian¡¯s strong and reassuring presence behind me. His arms wrapped around me in a loving embrace, and his hand gently glided down to my heavily pregnant belly, which seemed to have a life of its own.


    ¡°Whoa!¡± He eximed, clearly taken aback when he felt a sharp kick from the little life inside my belly.


    ¡°Nine months developing, and he¡¯s already a ck belt in karate,¡± I quipped with amusement in my voice. Indeed, it was our little boy disying his presence.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see you, little guy.¡± Lucian bent down in front of me, his lips tenderly pressing against the round swell of my belly.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I watched him. They say there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and everything has changed for the better after the war.


    Maria had returned to her pack, revealing her true identity as an heir. She hadn¡¯t shared her secrets with me before, but after the war, she finally confessed. Recently, she embraced her role as an heir and found happiness with Frank by her side.


    My mother and aunt travelled across the world, finally living the lives they had always dreamed of.


    Vienna had been given the opportunity to start anew. She had diligently rebuilt our pack, earned the trust of the Southern Lord, and now stood as the strong leader of the South. Rumours were circting that she and Vince were growing close, and perhaps love would blossom between them soon.


    Andstly, Lucian and I had gotten married, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little one. We had built our own family, a clear proof that love conquers all obstacles.


    We may have faced losses and hardships, but the present moment was what truly counted. Life might not always be fair, but it¡¯s how you make the most of it that truly matters.


    Now, as I watched the sunrise paint the sky with shades of gold and pink, I cherished the promise of another perfect day with Lucian, my mate and loving husband.


    Author¡¯s Note:


    Dear Readers,


    I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to read my novel. Your wonderful love and support have deeply touched my heart. Reading yourments and reviews has been truly heartwarming.


    As ¡°iming His Luna¡± ended, I must bid farewell to all of you, my dearest readers, as well as the characters Cercei and Lucian in this story.


    But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back with another novel in the near future. Stay tuned for the release of my next werewolf-themed fiction. I also invite you to check my author¡¯s profile, where you¡¯ll find other novels I¡¯ve published on this tform. Each book boasts unique plots and captivating twists that I believe are well worth your time and every penny you¡¯ll pay.


    Warm regards,


    Anna Shannel Lin


    ¡ªEND¡ª


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!