I crouch outside the room as I listen to the incessant lovemaking of Theo and Princess Kissa. I can hear Kissa’s screams of pleasure. And I feel as if I can hear Theo’s grunts too. They’ve been at it after bath and dinner and it’s close to midnight now. My only consolation is that Princess Kissa made me leave the room. My hands over my ears tighten, and I bury my face in my knees. I feel dizzy. I can’t take this anymore. It’s been a few days. I want to return somewhere far from both Theo and Kissa. I sense someone approaching but I ignore it. I continue to tremble in this pain as tears continuously flow. Besides, Theo completely occupies my mind. How can he make love with another woman? Is she too pretty in his eyes that he just can’t help it? Or maybe, I’m the only one who can’t think of making love to anyone because of this blasted mate bond, and he knows it! I feel someone wrap his arms around me and I jump from the sudden invasion of my personal space. I look up to see Klevon’s

“Drink! Drink! Drink!” is the chant of the people at the bar where Silvino works. Ami holds a pitcher of alcohol and chugs down its alcoholic content. When she empties the pitcher, I clap with the others. “To my friend, Kaiya!” she slurs. “I will chug another for you.” Unsteadily, she leans towards me and whispers, “I know you are not allowed to drink so I will do it instead.” I smile at her and she adds, “For you!” “You just want to drink more,” Nadif comments which Ami answers with a bright smile. “You got it right!” she admits while beaming at him. She heavily sits beside me and says, “To my friend, turned to best friend, who can’t even drink a glass of alcohol, I feel bad for you.” “What’s happening now?” Silvino asks as he walks towards our table. “My handsome lover~~” Ami coos. She stands up and wraps her arms around his waist. “What time will you be out?” “I can play with you now,” he says. He places his arms around her and adds, “One room is freed up so the five of

I open my eyes with the light sifting through the window of the inn room. I shift and realize that Klevon has his massive arms around me. I look up to see him sleeping peacefully. And events of last night appear in my mind. That dizzying intensity of my release. The dark thoughts that accompanied it. The weeping afterward.And now, I feel ashamed. After giving me pleasure, I wasn’t able to keep the end of the bargain. All I did was apologize until I fall asleep. I am not just a whore; I am a very selfish whore. Now, I know how kind Klevon really is, or maybe, he did like me. If not, he could have forced me last night.His eyes open and upon laying his eyes on me, he smiles, “Good morning, beautiful. Feeling better now?”I nod. “I’m so—”He places a chaste kiss on my mouth. After pulling back, he grins. “Sorry is not the first word I’d like to hear from your mouth. I heard it a lot already, so I’m quite miffed by it by now.” He thinks for a while and adds, “How about a thank-you? That

Klevon’s chest rises and falls in his sleep. The healer says that the heavy magic that hits him has rendered his magic into a state of chaos. However, it was minimized because I was in front of him. Unfortunately, the healer is unsure why I am not affected by the magic. Does it have something to do with me being a werewolf? But Klevon has magic running through his veins too. They are like hybrid humans, created to hunt werewolves. His eyes open, and I peer at him. “Are you feeling fine now?” I ask. A broad grin appears on his face. He taps my nose and responds, “Why, my little werewolf, are you worried for me?” I heave a sigh of relief. He’s back to his previous, annoying self, which means he’s okay already. I stand up from the chair. “Then, I will leave you to recuperate. I will also ask for your food.” I am about to leave when he catches my wrist. “Stay for a while. It’s nice seeing your face the moment I open my eyes.” I patronize him. I sit right back on the stool at the si

It is late afternoon and the promotion ceremony is underway. Klevon and I are in the front yard and are standing together with all the other warriors. The Pitchford six generals are in front of us, lining up close to Theo. I am promoted to First Lieutenant because of the number of times I saved the King’s life. However, I believe Harbin has done something to it too. I jump six positions just from saving the King’s life three times. Klevon, on the other hand, jumps from Captain and becomes the seventh General. Rumor is that he was supposed to take one of the remaining general positions years before, but he keeps on declining the offer. So it’s a grand celebration that he finally accepted it. Other than that, there is also another piece of news the Kingdom has to celebrate. Princess Kissa is pregnant, and she is now officially Theo’s first concubine. His other pregnant concubines also have ranks now–second to fourth concubines. And those who will be unable to bear him a child within