Chapter Six

Massive braziers encircling each of the eight sandstone columns light up the lower levels of the throne hall and engulf everything in a flickering radiance. The artistic depictions of legends on the arched ceiling dance in the flickering light while carved images look down upon the obsidian floor of this ceremonious hall.

An onyx rug runs down from the throne and splits to encircle the entire hall while rounded banners with embellished decorations swing gently from the walls. Between each banner stand several tapers of various sizes, almost all of them have been lit and turn illuminate the sculptures of heroes and leaders below them.

Thick, tinted glass windows are edged by drapes colored the same onyx as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with embellished borders and fine patterns.

A radiant throne of granite sits atop an elevated platform and is adjoined by two almost identical seats for those closest to the royal highness.

The throne is covered in symbolic illustrations and fixed on each of the broad feet is an elegant demon wing, with two spears hung at the back of the throne.

The broad pillows are a dark onyx and these too have been adorned with embellished tips.

Those wishing to listen to their royal highness can do so on the abundance of long and rather bulky iron benches, all of which are facing the throne in a V-shape. Those of higher standing can instead take a seat in the rather plain mezzanines overlooking the entire hall.

Sitted on one of the identical thrones next to the huge granite throne was a Young Alpha. Dressed in a white shirt tucked neatly in black plain trousers and a black dress suit, the golden crest was at his left chest with an Onyx Velvet cape clipped to his dress shirt.

By his right was the golden crown, which was designed with a crescent moon at the top, it was magnificent and shiny, one that spoke of royalty.

The elders of the werewolf clan sat on their chairs of honor which were at the left hand side of the king in the vast throne room, while the beta and gamma chairs of honor were at the right of the throne room, they all were sitted waiting for midnight to strike so they could begin the sacred meeting.

The wind howled loudly shaking the shutters of the palace windows, minutes moved to seconds and soon it strikes twelve, the palace clock dinging loudly like the big Ben of London.

00:00am, the time for the sacred meeting striked the beta and the elders of the werewolf clan rose to their feet and bowed before the young Alpha, they sat down back leaving the eldest of them to speak.

"I choose this particular time your highness as this is a sacred an trivial topic" he said in a sad tone straightening his clothes.

"Our king is dying and we need a new king"

"And that's where you comes in Amareux, you're the heir to the throne but you need to have a Luna before you're crowned king" he stated matter of fact.

"So what do you suggest" Amareux said through gritted teeth, he wasn't happy that he was going to spend the rest of his life with a woman that isn't his mate, he still missed his mate who had stolen his heart while they were still young and wanted nothing but to rule with her by his side but he knew it wasn't possible his mate was long gone, probably dead.

"Glad you asked we would spread the news that we need she-wolves that would be your bride and then we put the chosen ones to test" he said in a final tone taking a sit on his chair.

Amareux knew that he couldn't refuse in this matter, he had to be king and carry on the linage and to do that he needed a bride. If he refuses the offer the throne would be shifted to another family, probably the beta and his dad would have his head on a platter.

After much ponder he sighs heavily and looks up at the expectant elders.

"You can go on with the preparations, spread the news that I need a bride"...

***

"Arayah!" Lynn yelled from the kitchen as she wiped her wet hands on the hand towel.

"Yes mum?" Arayah answered walking to the kitchen.

"Here, finish it" Her mum said handing her a glass of exlir which masked her scent as a vampire.

"Really mum do I have to drink it?" She wined staring at the dark liquid.

"Yes dear you have to drink it for your safety" Lynn said in a soft tone a soft smile on her face.

Arayah smiled in response before staring back at the liquid, she scrunched up her face in disgust and quickly pours everything in her mouth.

She groans loudly and gagged as the bitter liquid ran down her throat.

"That's my daughter" Her mum cooed patting her cheeks.

"Of course" she said rolling her eyes.

"Raya go check if they newspaper has arrived" her dad called from the sitting room, she quickly goes to the porch and sees the stack of newspaper at their step, picking it up the headline catches her attention.

THE CROWN PRINCE NEEDED A BRIDE.

"Dad!!" She yelled running inside with the stack of papers.

"What my darling?" He asked in a panicked tone.

"The news!" She yelled tossing it to him, a wide smile plastered on her face.

Her Dad stared at the newspaper with an inquisitive look, wondering what could be on the headlines that had his daughter so elated but soon his folded to a frown as he read the headlines.

"What is this Arayah?" He asked in a stern voice.

"Well the prince wants a bride to sit by his side" she said with a excitement.

"So?"

"I would like to go" she said sweetly with pouty lips.

"No" her dad said in finality standing up from the couch.

"Why Dad?!" She yelled following him.

"You're not participating in that Arayah and that's final" he yelled walking into his room and banging it shut.

"Mum?" Arayah pleaded but her mum nodded her head, silently telling her "No"

***

In a grand royal room, a storm was brewing, one that could wipe and destroy everything that came through its part, like a tsunami, a tornado it brewed rising fueled by the emotion, anger.

The feeling of hurt, anger, frustration and dread washed over him as he stared at the television which hung on the wall unaware of what was to happen to it.

“Ahhhhh!!!” He yelled loudly in frustration and anger the greatest emotion that he felt washed over him, he threw the remote hard at the television, and it smashed the television's once smooth screen, a lone tear dropped from his left eye, rolling to his lips, its salty taste teasing his taste buds.

A whimper left his lips as he fell on the sofa looking helpless, he blamed himself for letting her go, he wished he had fought against his father and found her, he wished he had made effort to find his little helpless mate, he missed hearing her voice and giggles, her words of comfort, he missed watching her eat hurriedly each time he snuck in food to her, he missed holding her tiny hands.

He could still fell her soft hands on his like it were happening, he shut his eyes tightly his hands folding into fist, the pain he felt was choking him, his lungs constricted, he wheezed.

The elders words rang in his ear like a broken record, he knew he could no longer do anything, he was helpless in this situation, and that was the truth no matter how he tried he was helpless and this pained him, the truth was really bitter.

He always wondered if she was still alive, still breathing, and still in the werewolf kingdom, he wondered how she was coping with everything, of she was still tortured and kept within the dark walls of her cave, he thought he would find her if he stayed good but boy was he wrong.

Streams of tears flowed down his eyes, like a tap, they rushed out without control, he felt pain pierce his heart deep.

All he felt was pain, he missed his mate, he wondered what those bastards must have done to her, how helpless she would be, how alone she would be feeling, at that moment he wished he would appear wherever she was and give her a tight hug, a loving hug, and never to leave her side if only she was alive.

He wondered if she missed him to if she was still alive, if she still thought of him, but all these questions couldn't be answered.

He abruptly stood up and pulled the television off its hinges, it fell to the ground and shattered, its glass shattered into multiple tiny pieces, relating to how his heart felt at the moment.

For his heart bleed, external bleeding.