The moon in the dark-blue sky elicits a silvery light over the tall figure of the demon prince, Zander Hellion, splayed on the grassland of the riverbank.

The merfolks couldn't see the prince due to him being hidden under the shadows of the tall tress looming above.

Zander was laying over the soft grass on his chest with his arms crossed. With his chin resting over the palm of his hand, he flared open his mighty wings the colour of midnight and hummed along to the melancholic melody of the siren queen's song.

🎼

Let me sing a lullaby

As you close your eyes

And as you're drifting off to sleep

How I hope that the dreams that you find are bright

🎼

Zander's eyes shut in content as a chilly winter breeze ruffled his untamed hair. He'd never met the siren queen in his seven centuries of existence.

But then, he never really left Helvon, the Underworld kingdom, until it was very necessary.

Even for those meetings once every month where all the kings and queens from the five kingdoms of Ancientriova-Helvon being one of them-he never attended. Neither did his mother, the queen and the ruler of the Underworld. His father was the one to do so.

So it could be understandable that he hadn't met any of his fellow neighboring kingdom's kings and queens.

🎼

Love, can we meet again soon in the bluest of skies?

Where a tomorrow waits for you and I.

🎼

As the melancholic voice calms his mind and soul, Zander let's out a blissful sigh.

No wonder it is said that a siren's song could drive one to madness or their own death. It had that kind of insensible effect on people.

He didn't blame those who fall for the enchantment and accept their death gleefully. Now who wouldn't die happily after listening to this voice?

🎼

So hold me tight one more time. But don't kiss me goodbye.

'Cause I'll be waiting for you on the other side.

🎼

A smile flitted across Zander's lips at these chords reminding him of the two most important women in his life who were in deep slumber right now back in the castle of Helvon.

His mother and his wife.

Queen Annabeth, his mother, loved the siren's song as much as he did. Manier times, the queen of the underworld would sneak out with her son to listen to the song through the night. It was their own little secret haven that fueled them at their dullest moments. Even his father didn't know about it.

And then there was Laira, his wife.

The woman he loved with everything he had. The woman who made his heart grow twice the size and the woman who could make him conquer the whole world if she just wished for it.

His smile widened as he thought of making Laira listen to this song.

'She'll love it.' He thought.

Liking the idea way too much, Zander sprang to his feet ready to go back to Underworld and fetch her right this instant. The urge to kiss her under the moonlight as the melody echoed around them seemed way too pleasing.

As he shut his eyes, Zander felt darkness envelop him. The smokeless clouds of his power ran through his veins and the next moment, when he opened those eyelids, he was back in his room in Helvon.

But then he froze.

He didn't pay attention to the numerous servants and maids gathered around him or the look of fear and sadness coating their faces or the heavy stench of blood in the air. He didn't care about anything.

His eyes remained fixed onto the crimson puddle as his senses picked up on whose blood it was. Laira. . .

"W-where's Laira?" Zander couldn't stop the tremor in his voice, neither could he stop the rapid thudding of his heart.

The servants and maids remained silent. Not speaking a word.

"I asked something!" Zander yelled, his stormy grey eyes flashing to everyone in a maddening frenzy.

He was scared. He was so, so scared.

His heart didn't want to accept what his mind had figured out.

"Where's mother?" He asked this time, his voice barely audible.

Silence again.

"SPEAK THIS INSTANT! Or I'll kill all of you!" The prince hollered, feeling his heart spike with pain.

The servants and maids cowered at their prince's words. But more than that, they feared thinking what he'd do when they did tell him the truth.

And then through the throngs of people, Zander spotted the butler approach him.

"Master." The demon dressed in the castle's signature black and maroon uniform gave a slight bow.

"What happened here, Warrick?!" The demon prince couldn't stop the terror in his voice anymore.

The butler, Warrick, felt horrible to break the news to the prince but he knew he had to tell him, "Your father's mistress, Charlotte. She took Queen Annabeth captive when she was sleeping and madame Laira. . ."

Zander's heart stilled as he noticed the hesitance in the demon's tone, "W-wh-where's Laira?"

"Charlotte killed her and took madame Laira's body along with her." Warrick's words were a mere whisper.

Zander felt his whole world crumble under his feet. No. . .no, no, no! This was not happening! Not now. Not like this. They were supposed to live a long life! They'd pledged so many promises of a happily ever after at their wedding, just two days ago.

His mother was so happy for them. . .his mother who was taken captive by. . .

"WHO? Who helped Charlotte?" The prince's voice was cold as ice.

Zander had known about his father's little affair but he hadn't known things would reach this point. But it didn't make sense.

No normal person could steal away the queen of the underworld from her own lands and kill the prince's wife. Charlotte must've seeked someone's help. Someone who was just as powerful as him and his mother, the demon royalties.

As the butler spoke the next words, his suspicion was confirmed.

"The Siren Queen. Marilla Shellock."

The betrayal he felt was raw. He'd been so happily listening to her song just moments ago. To think she was the reason because of whom Charlotte could capture his mother and kill his wife. . .

At that very moment, Zander knew who he had to hate for the rest of his life. Who he really had to hunt down to kill.

But never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that the very woman he loathed would be his. . .

Mate.

So this is the actual reason why Zander hates Marilla. Since it wasn't clarified properly in THE ALPHA'S BLOODLINE, I thought necessary to do it here.

Did you like the prologue?

Any theories on why Marilla helped Charlotte?👀