Abandoned by the Alpha, I Became the Lycan King's Mate - Chapter 157 - Stalling for Time

After making a deal with a peculiar goddess, Victor awakens in a new world of swords & magic with a body of pure darkness and far too many eyes.

He had become a Netherborne—the strongest undead race in all of existence.

But what happens when a human mind inhabits such a creature? With dulled emotions and an insatiable hunger?

Does only death and destruction await the world? Or will Victor be the herald of a new undead civilization?

The year is 407 AD and Rome is at the precipice. In the West, a usurper by the name of Flavius Claudius Constantinus has declared himself emperor. By doing this, he and his traitor legions have fractured the Western Roman Empire into two. At the same time, the north bleeds! Countless germans swarm across the borders of the Empire and pillage its lands in their ruthless raids. Alaric, King of the Goths, rises to a position of prominence and threatens the ancient capital of the dying Empire with his barbarian hordes. As if things weren't bad enough, rumors from the east state that a mysterious power rises within the fogs of war, threatening to drown the Empire in a river of blood.

As a response to these threats, the indolent emperor Honorius has given orders to his supreme commander Flavius Stilicho to reclaim the province of Gaul from the usurper. However, should he leave the heartland of the Empire undefended, undoubtedly Alaric would invade. Thus, under the threat of barbarians at the gates, Stilicho dispatches a young roman general by the name of Titus Claudius Marcellus to bring an end to the reign of the usurper. Will Rome fall to the tides of barbarians and traitors alike? Or can Marcellus restore a world collapsing around him? Find out in Heir of Aurelian!

The clock struck midnight when Ruelle heard the echo of footsteps. She tensed, the fine hairs on the back of her neck standing on end in the cool night air.“You shouldn't be here,” Ruelle whispered, her voice a breathless murmur. The silhouette finally came to stand under the moonlight, his dark red eyes watching her and his inky black hair ruffling.“Shouldn't I?” His voice was a dark caress, and she stood there captivated by the danger he exuded like perfume.“I haven’t seen you for the last two days,” his tone low. His hand reached out, fingers brushing against the silk of her nightgown, tracing the trembling outline of her collarbone. “Tell me, were you avoiding me, or perhaps... entertaining other offers?”Ruelle’s heart raced, her breaths shallow. She declared, “I don't belong to anyone.”“A bold claim,“ he murmured, his breath a tantalising chill against her skin as he leaned in. ”Yet here you are, pulse racing, your body tensed as if in anticipation of my touch.”His fingers gripped her chin, tilting her face towards his. The moonlight caught his eyes, revealing a glint of predatory intent. “Or must I remind you whose touch you truly crave?”

All Raven ever wanted was a chance — to go to college, make friends, be loved, and live like any other girl her age. But dreams, it seemed, weren’t meant for people like her.As a scholarship student at an elite university built for the wealthy and privileged, Raven's life quickly spiraled into a nightmare. Surrounded by cruelty and entitlement, she became the perfect target. Their relentless torment stripped her of everything — her dignity, her hope, her will to live. She bore it all in silence, blaming herself even for the tragedy that tore her family apart. Despair led her to the edge of suicide, but fate had other plans.Ten years later, those same bullies, now living lavish lives of success and luxury, had long forgotten the girl they destroyed. But Raven hadn’t forgotten them — not one bit.With scars that ran deep and a heart hardened by pain, she returned — no longer the fragile girl they once broke. One by one, she would visit her tormentors, delivering her own brand of justice and making them learn that every cruel action has a consequence.Because this time, Raven isn’t the victim.She’s the reckoning!