Chapter 2

Kaela’s POV

To be honest, I had expected the Lycan realm to look like fire and brimstone with a sky so thick with smoke that breathing would be impossible. Instead, the Lycan realm was actually disgustingly beautiful.  

The very ground I walked on shimmered like molten gold, the walls though red, carried giant red and golden banners. It was the kind of place I'd would've admired if it weren't in the Lycan realm.

Lycans! Ugh! They were everywhere, staring at me like I didn't belong there. Well, trust me, I know.

A low murmur spread through the grand court as we strode in.

“That's a werewolf!”

“What? She's not one of us?”

“Why did His Majesty bring her here?”

Aww and I was looking forward to a warm welcome. I guess I'll be heading back now...

As I turned to leave, a large, masculine hand grabbed my arm.

My eyes flickered to the man. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask ‘Where do you think you're going?’

I blinked and swallowed hard. I obviously wasn't welcomed here so what was I to do? Join the assembly with their low hisses?

He drew me against him and walked ahead like he owned the place. Knowing the kind of person he is, he probably did. His long, dark hair flowed behind him, his jewelry gleamed in the light of the hall. He was every inch royalty.

Meanwhile, everyone else continued to stare. I could literally taste their hatred.

“Is that the werewolf bride?”

“What about Lady Xerathia?”

Lady who? Who's that?

Someone suddenly stepped up. It was a younger looking Lycan. He stared at me like I was the dirt underneath his shoe. You could even feel the hatred in his amber eyes.

“King Rhaedros, what have you brought this~” his narrowed gaze flickered towards me. “~this thing into our realm? That was not the arrangement!”

I'm sorry. Did I hear him right? King? Arrangement? What is going on here? And did he call me? Well, I shouldn't be surprised. What should I expect from savage creatures like them? Definitely not to be properly complimented for certain! I rolled my eyes. Couldn’t he at least insult me properly?

Rhaedros didn’t even blink. “Step aside, Valgorn.”

A low growl rumbled from his throat. “I challenge you. If you refuse, it means you are unfit to rule!”

Wait. Unfit to what?

“Valgorn's right, Your Majesty. Our sacred traditions have forbidden humans from ever stepping foot here. We've never welcomed the werewolves and here neither have they. It should stay that way.” Another councilman in red silk robes agreed and sooner, the room chorused in chaotic roars.

I turned to Rhaedros. “What's it gonna be then, oh great king? Of course, you can cut me loose and I’ll be on my way.”

Rhaedros let out a soft chuckle. It was the kind someone uses when they've been asked a very stupid question. I would know since I do that myself but in a more subtle way.

“Very well,” he replied.

“So, I can leave now?” I asked in excitement.

“No, he will,” the king answered.

“Who?”

Before I could get a response, I heard a loud explosion from behind me…

One second, the imposing regal male was standing beside me and then the next second ~ boom! The metallic scent of blood filled the air.

And then, there he was…

Massive. Onyx. Black scales glinting like steel. He was so large and his body stretched so wide that the ground trembled beneath his feet as he took a step towards his challenger.

Valgron did the same and transformed.

Don't tell me it's what I think.

Before I could blink, Rhaedros moved.

A dainty hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Your Majesty, take cover!”

My heart raced in my chest as I was being pulled to safety. What was going on?

Valgron roared and lunged. A bold move to make against his king.

“Idiot. Why would he do that?!” said the red-haired stranger who pulled me back.

I looked up from the floor to see a teenage girl hovering over me. There were scales on her face and arms. Who was she?

“Who are you?” I whispered.

“Take cover!” She warned.

Before she shielded us, I saw Rhaedros swipe a single claw! He misses since Valgron immediately took flight.

Fists clashed and walls rumbled.

“Aargh!” I found myself screaming.

“Your Majesty, come with me!” The dark-eyed girl exclaimed as she pulled me to my feet.

My eyes widened in shock at what I saw! Valgron in a bloody heap, almost unrecognizable.

The court broke into chaos with Lycans panicking and quivering in their boots.

Suddenly, a loud, deep voice cut through the air.

“Silence!”

At his command, everyone did. Even I was too stunned to speak.

“Does anyone else want to question my decision?” Rhaedros’s booming voice reverberated throughout the room like the very thunder in the sky.

Silence awkwardly stretched far more than necessary. No one dared to make a sound.

I swallowed hard. And he was still in his Lycan form?

I knew Lycans were powerful but this? There was no hesitation in his attacks. It was a show of pure, terrifying strength. This man was indeed their King.

With no one else courageous - or stupid - enough to oppose him, Rhaedros shifted back to his human form, looking infuriatingly perfect.  Then he turned his red eyes to mine.

“There,” My pulse was racing as he stared at me. “All of you may leave this instant!”

Immediately, I heard the scuffle of feet as people flooded out of the court including the lady who saved me. And now, it was just Rhaedros and I, surrounded by the chaos he had just effortlessly caused.

I stared at him, not knowing what to say.

He tilted my chin up, flashing me a sinful smile. “You better be worth the trouble, love.”