Enemies in Nova's cottage...

Nova observed her pack of people tending to the village grounds as though they were compelled to do so. She was taken aback because, for a considerable amount of time, she was the only one who maintained the village's surroundings.

She knew that because soldiers were observing their movements, the people were paying attention. Nova grinned as she recalled Camen's remarks and realized that it was the Lycan King's doing.

As she approached them, she suppressed her laughter upon witnessing Maia straining to trim the grass. But when she saw Asher packing the cow dung, she could not help but laugh. It was a humorous sight to behold.

Then it dawned on her that the Lycan king was the only one who could deliver her from this hell. All of this was done to save her so he could shield her from her vicious pack.

As everyone looked at her with contempt, she was forced to break out of her fantasies.

"The servant is present, everyone. Let's leave," Asher said, glaring at Nova.

Nova watched them as they finished their chores and left the field. She was thrilled that there were not many tasks left to do and did not give a damn.

Once her chores were completed, Nova hurriedly returned to her cottage, feeling exhausted. She lay in bed and gazed in amazement at her ceiling. Her mind turned to the Lycan king; she was interested in discovering his actual appearance.

"What is the purpose of his mask? "What does he look like behind a mask?" Nova thought to herself.

She heard a presence in her room and immediately sat. She felt frightened when she noticed Maia and Asher approaching her. She took deep breaths to slow her heartbeat.

"What are y-oo-u doiiinng here?" Nova stammered, her voice filled with fear.

She was terrified of what venom they might spew at her.

"What kind of spell did you use on the Lycan king? Abruptly, he told us you were in the palace with him and gave us instructions to finish the chores. What happened between you two?" Maia questioned while aiming lasers at Nova.

Nova was at a loss for words, and her presence in the palace was not worth mentioning. She was aware that Maia would make fun of her and exacerbate the pain already experienced. Nova wondered how to proceed.

Her goal was to dive past Maia's grasp. Asher grinned and waited for her answer, which disgusted her.

"Tell us, Nova. It is not hard. Maybe he rejected you and sent you back to the village," Maia sneered. "Whereas he will not stoop so low to be with you."

Asher stepped up to Maia and told her to get out of the cottage. In contrast, Maia insisted that she had to learn the truth.

"Leave!" Asher yelled, giving Maia a fierce look.

In annoyance, Maia left the cottage. Asher, on the other hand, took a seat on Nova's little bed and pulled her into his lap. Although Nova squirmed under his touch, his hold was firm.

"Don't go near the Lycan king. His bride is Kylie. Should you have the courage to split them apart? You will then have to deal with the repercussions. I won't let you destroy my sister's happiness."

Nova rolled her eyes; given their similar behaviors, she was not shocked to learn that Kylie was his sister. She made the decision to comply with him. Noticing that Asher would release her if she did not push back, Nova gave a silent nod.

Nova was following his instructions, and Asher noticed this and grinned. He reached up to stroke her cheeks before tracing his fingers down to her neck. He adores her silky, soft neck.

She gave a disgusted reaction to his touch. He tightened his hold on her as she attempted to stand up. She bit her lip, debating what to do. She wishes for the event of strangulation to never happen.

"Asher, let me go. You are not my mate. Why don't you get that?" Nova blurted out, struggling to break free from his grip.

Asher chuckled.

"Nova, you belong to me. You are mine even though I do not accept you; after all, who will take a coward like you?"

Nova balled her fists, her eyes welling with tears. She genuinely wanted to get away from her pack of people and out of this mess.

As she exhaled, her anxiety subsided. She could feel Kyla pushing her to face Asher, but she refrained because she knew that if she did, he would be furious. Suddenly, a woman stormed into her cottage, and when she saw Nova sitting on Asher's lap, her face lit up with rage.

She advanced toward them, seized Nova's hands, and gave her a shove. With a sigh of relief, Nova decided that as long as she was safe, she did not really care what the woman said to her. It made Nova feel good. She was aware that the person who stormed into her cottage was the dancer whom Asher had kissed.

"May, what are you doing? I will not put up with this disrespectful behavior, Asher said, firmly grasping May's hand.

Nova attempted to leave her cottage.

"Nova, do not move. I will be right back," Asher said, dragging May from Nova's cottage.

Nova sat on a crooked wooden chair next to her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, which gives her comfort whenever she sees it.

She sensed a presence in her room. Asher sat on her bed and stared into her eyes. When Nova tried to get up and move away, Asher grabbed hold of her hands and pulled her to sit on his lap.

"Leave me alone;" Nova stated, casting a disgusted glance at him.

"Don't you dare," he scowled at Nova.

He whispered in Nova's ears, sending shivers down her spine, "I do not want you as my mate, but your beauty is so captivating, how about you be my whore."

With resilience, she got to her feet, slapped his face, and became very agitated. "I never realized you could descend to such a level; you are so disgusting." Nova spoke to him as she left.

He was speechless and enraged. "How dare she!" He murmured to himself as he touched his face. It amazed Asher that Nova possessed such bravery.

"I should not have underestimated her," he said to himself.

Nova, on the other hand, abandoned her cottage and went wherever she could find tranquility. Unaware that she was outside of her village, she continued to walk while crying. As the rain began to fall heavily, Nova realized she was in the middle of a forest.

Nova grew frightened and studied her surroundings. She was terrified by the flashbacks to last night.

"oh no, where am I?"