Chapter 2

The whip sailed down for the fifth time.

She let out a whimper, she tried not to, she really did. 

“Shut up bitch!” he roared. His steel toe capped boot crashed into her thigh. 

*

Klara peered up to the white palace, walls appeared to go on forever into the sky, the sun glinting off the many arched windows. There were so many it would probably take an hour to count them all. Trey stepped through the large wooden door, Klara’s eyes wide at the entrance hall, gold glinted everywhere where the walls had been expertly painted. They snaked through the many corridors until the black haired man that had been following them stepped in front and pushed a set of double doors open. “Thanks Terry.” Trey nodded as he stepped into the bright white infirmary, placing her onto the nearest bed. Terry stood at the foot of the bed and almost immediately another male stood next to him.

She looked up fearfully to the two large men at the foot of the bed before Trey got her attention “The doctor will come in a second, are you sure you have no other injuries?” Klara shook her head “How old are you?” 

“Twenty.” Trey blinked in surprise, that was definitely not what he was expecting. She looked so young. Klara pulled at the t-shirt she was still wearing, trying to tug it lower down her legs; feeling exposed. Klara gulped but a noise made her turn around and shrink into the bed. She first saw a tall broad man who exuded power, his dark hair pushed off his face. Green eyes trained directly on her. Her nose automatically began sniffing the air as a strange scent hit her. It smelt beautiful; freshly cut grass and honey. 

The presence next to the large green eyed man terrified Klara, the power and dominance made her want to shrink, become invisible. She hadn’t even seen him, she daren't look but she knew he had to be the King… the bloodthirsty, torturous, greedy King. But she had to swallow those thoughts, her whole life she’d been taught to despise and hate the royal family… they were imposters. She gulped “My King.” She bowed her head and then extended her neck in submission. “I'm sorry I came onto your land… I didn't know where to go.” 

“I'm listening,” The King's voice soft and calming. 

Klara looked around, her fear increasing at knowing she would have to explain herself. “I… erm…” She looked to Trey who gave her an encouraging smile, his hazel eyes shining in comfort. “My dad… I couldn't take it anymore.”

“Which pack are you from?” The dark haired man spoke, his tone harsher than the Kings

“Silversmith,” she whispered, a small intake of breath went around. “Please don't kill me,” she whimpered, accidentally looking directly into The King’s golden eyes, the world stopped… everything stopped. Her wolf suddenly was very interested and without realising both her and her wolf breathed one word. “Mate.” Nothing else seemed to matter. The King instantly acted, snarling and wrapped his arms around her protectively “MINE!” he declared loudly. 

Klara squeaked at the man now holding her close to him as if she was about to run, tingles had engulfed her body. Lightning was almost uncomfortably shooting from one of King's hands being on her bare leg. But she couldn’t help another squeal of pain from the injuries she wanted no-one to see. The smell that was so appealing wrapped around her, it was the King! She shook against him, terrified. He was her mate, her wolf was smiling before she felt her slip further back, she thought nothing of it though, her wolf was rarely with her anyway. She couldn’t relax. He was the King! A King that should kill her on the spot for the pack she belongs to. “My King… I-I’m sorry,” 

“Shh,” he cooed, his forehead found Klara’s, a thumb swiped at one of her dirty cheeks. She cocked her head slightly looking at his features. His strong angular jaw with sharp cheekbones. A nick in his eyebrow and then her eyes landed on his, the deep gold like no other eyes she’d ever seen. His hold on her was one of strength and power despite his leaner figure compared to the other men around her bed. His rich walnut hair pushed back while the sides were cropped short. She had an urge to run her hands through his bark coloured hair, but she refrained… he was The King.

The King licked his pale pink lips, the small woman in his arms a mixture of scared and intrigue etched onto her rounded face. Her deep baby blue eyes peering into his gold. “No-one can hurt you beautiful,” he purred “Who hurt you? Who’s your father?”

“The Alpha,” she whispered back. Terrified of his reaction.

“So what do we have here?” A dark haired man had walked in 

“Looks like she’s been beaten, malnourished. Not got much else from her because… well.” Trey gestured to the scene on the bed with the King close to mounting the small woman. “Marc, get off the poor female, you’re terrifying her,” the green eyed dark haired man spoke, his hand going on the King’s shoulder. He looked to the man, his canines extended and bared in warning “Easy there Wade,” Trey whispered to the broad green eyed man. 

“Marc?” Wade asked gently “The Doctor needs to have a look at her… gonna let her go buddy?” King Marc’s golden eyes went from his Beta, to the Doctor, to the female he had firmly wrapped in his arms. He coughed and stood, a slightly sheepish look crossing his handsome face. He raked his hand through his sleek walnut hair. 

Wade nodded to the two guards still standing at the end of the bed, dismissing them. They bowed and shuffled from the infirmary. “Trey, I think you can go too.” Wade addressed the light haired man. Klara instantly shook her head and gripped onto his hand. King Marc growled loudly. “Marc… I’m mated.” As if to emphasis his point he proudly pulled the collar of his t-shirt down, displaying the two crescent shaped silvery scars. Before extending his neck further in submission. “Trey, get out before he kills you.” Trey pursed his lips, gently easing his hand from her grasp, almost sprinting from the infirmary under the King's gaze. “You can get out too Wade,” King Marc’s low growl still in warning. 

“Don’t you dare mark her,” Wade growled back, his Alpha wolf coming to the surface in protection. His eyes flickering between green and blue ever so subtly.

King Marc’s growl ripped through his chest, his wolf surfacing at the disrespect, which instantly made Wade falter. He may have been an Alpha prior to giving up his positon, but the King’s wolf still trumped his wolf, making him want to submit to his friend. Wade grit his teeth, he hated the feel to submit. “Your sister will murder you… just warning.” 

“I’m not going to do anything that she doesn’t want… I’m not you,” King Marc spat venomously. Wade rolled his eyes, suppressing the rumble of a growl… he rarely wished to punch the Ki…. oh who was he kidding Marc pissed him off as much as he pissed Marc off. The path to his own mate had been a rocky one. Wade had been forgiven by the family, but Marc liked to throw it in his face sometimes. 

Before Wade did do something stupid, he left the room. Leaving the King, his mate and the Doctor. The Doctor checked Klara over, after asking her name and age ect. King Marc listened intently finding out about her. Her name was beautiful, he mouthed it out “Klara,” it seemed to roll off his tongue perfectly. “King Marc, I think she’ll be fine. Some good meals, time to heal,” 

“Thank you Doctor,” He bowed and left to the back door. “So…” King Marc rubbed the back of his neck “Klara?” She looked up to him properly, still scared. Her name sounded so sweet coming from his mouth but she ignored the feeling “My King… I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble. I… I just didn’t know where else to go.”

“Please, call me Marc.” He perched on the edge of the bed, 

“Why?” she whispered, he cocked his head slightly, a small amused smile upturning his pink lips “Because you’re my mate… I found my Queen,” he chuckled. “Let’s get you a bath and a good meal. I bet you’re tired from running. What would it be… 300 miles?”

“You’re not going to kill me?” She frowned at him 

“No,” he said simply, gently pulling her to her feet.