4. The Alpha King.

They bathed me, prepared me, and clothed me in a white dress that was almost transparent. I looked every bit like a harlot—probably a cruel joke by Lurien. Soon, I was tossed into a carriage that was headed for the Royal Palace, Nocthrax, named after our Kingdom, Noctheria.

The closer we got to the Royal Palace, I realized I wasn't strong at all. I once prided myself as a brave and powerful woman, intelligent too… But now, bound in chains like a criminal, I couldn't stop the overwhelming sadness, fear, and helplessness from taking over.

My chest felt like a dead weight with all the emotions pressing down on me. I wanted to scream, pull my hair, break things, cry until I passed out but instead, I sat calmly like I wasn't losing my mind.

Lurien hadn't even let me take any of my prized possessions, not even my family's crest, he didn't even let me leave a letter for when my brother, Zayan returned from his business trip. 

How was Zayan supposed to deal with this news? 

How was I supposed to go on with life knowing I'd left my baby brother behind with that monster? Sure, Zayan was nineteen years old already but he'll always be nothing but a little boy to me…  

What if I plead my case to the Royal Court? Plead with them to investigate my case? They will surely be just in their methods and the truth will be revealed.

But I knew that wasn't possible, not when the man I was being offered to was the devil himself. 

The thought of him made me shiver in fear but it was the thought of that beast using me for his pleasure that made my stomach churn with disgust.

I still couldn't believe Lurien would do such a thing to me. Being sent to the king wasn't something I'd dreamed of, it wasn't something I thought would ever happen to me.

Should I take my own life? 

Many had once they learned they were the next tribute or a family member. 

But if I took my own life…. 

No. I shook my head. 

Taking my own life meant Lurien had won, it meant Zayan would live miserably. No. I have to survive to get my revenge—

The carriage lurched forward, violently throwing me off the seat. I hadn't even caught my breath when its wooden doors swung open and strong arms grabbed my arms. I was pulled out of the carriage and my breath caught in my throat at the sight before me.

NOCTHRAX.

A great wall that spread across acres and acres of land that you couldn't see both of its ends, the wall stood tall, strong, and ancient. Four hefty soldiers stood at its mighty black gate with gold intricate design and in its middle was our Kingdom's sacred crest. 

My stomach sank.

The last time I visited the Royal Palace, I was a kid and the former king was alive. I remember being over the moon with joy but now, nothing but dread filled my stomach.

“Move!” One of the soldiers shoved me roughly, and I stumbled into the ground. “Useless!” I heard the soldier groan in frustration.

I couldn't get up on my own because I had chains on my feet and so, he grabbed my arm, his blunt nails biting into my flesh as he pulled me up.

Both soldiers pulled and shoved me roughly until we got past the gate and into the grand and magical Nocthrax. 

Under a different circumstance, I would have stopped to admire its beauty, but not today. Unsurprisingly, there were other people gathered around the courtyard. Young lads, young maidens, soldiers even bountiful harvests. It was that time of the month when we all present our offerings to the king but to my horror, the soldiers holding me didn't stop at the courtyard and wait for our turn while the palace soldier marked attendance of every pack who honored the king.

They moved past everyone, dragging me along and of course, a Palace guard stopped them.

“Get back!” The man hissed, reaching for his sword. “All offerings must remain in the courtyard.” 

“We have orders to present this one directly to the king,” the soldier by my left boldly said and I wondered if he was already tired of living.

The palace guard, evidently furious, drew his sword and aimed it at the soldier who had just spoken. “Do you wish to die?” His voice was dark and cold. 

“I am sorry,” the one by my right interjected quickly. “But we have specific orders to deliver this to the king.” 

‘This?’

THIS?

For heaven's sake!

The Palace guard fixed his eyes on me, his brows furrowing as he regarded me and I could tell what he was thinking. While others weren't bound in chains like a criminal, I was. While they were dressed in commoners’ clothing, theirs weren't provocatively thin and transparent.

“She's a sex slave,” the soldier by my right supplied and the Palace guard's frown deepened.

“A sex slave?” He echoed. “The king will not accept such, take her away!” 

My heart began racing wildly. I couldn't tell if it was from nervousness or excitement. 

Was I about to witness a miracle? 

Do I not need to work as the king's whore?

“We can not do that,” One of the soldiers pressed, squashing my hope. “Our Alpha will behead us and our family!” 

“Not my business!” 

“Please! You can kill us if you want, but we won't leave!” 

I gasped, staring wide-eyed at the daring soldier on my left, even the Palace guard was dumbfounded.

What were Lurien's devious plans this time? 

It didn't matter if I was presented directly or not.

“Let them in, Joriah,” An elderly woman who I hadn't noticed earlier spoke. The Palace guard, Joriah sighed in defeat.

After what felt like hours, the Palace guard grumbled. “The King will have my head for this.” 

“Not if you tell him I permitted you,” The elderly lady said with authority. Joriah cast one last glance at me. “You both leave, I'll take the slave to him myself.” 

The relief from both men was a slap to my face, my stomach was in knots, my throat tight.

“He's in the throne room,” the woman said as she walked away.

The Palace guard led me past the courtyard and into a grand hallway, its ceilings were about 30 feet tall, and on the walls were gold-plated pillars. They all passed in a blur as we entered the grand throne room. 

I scanned the room as we entered, on the left were some elders, and on either side of the huge throne where the king sat were guards protecting it. 

The King dressed in his full regalia—not full, since his robe hung loose exposing layers of bronze, ripped skin. I couldn't see his face properly as he seemed focused on the scroll in his hands but when the beautiful lady next to him cleared her throat loudly, he raised his head.

My breath caught in my throat.

Beautiful. 

Was the first word that rang in my head as grey piercing eyes met mine. The King didn't have horns like the rumors had said, he was no ugly beast, and he certainly didn't have ugly fangs hanging out from his mouth, no. The King… was beautiful in a powerful masculine way…

He was the most handsome man I'd ever seen. Almost like he belonged with gods and not us mere were-folks.

But why… Why did he look familiar? 

Those grey eyes didn't leave mine, I watched in horror as the expression in them morphed from shock to blinding fury. His face was bright red with rage.

Fear coiled in my stomach as I instinctively took a step back. 

Why was he looking at me like he wanted to kill me?

My pulse roared in my ears as I searched my brain frantically to remember where I'd seen him before.

And then it all came flooding back. My eyes widened as recognition slammed into me.

 “You?!” I gasped.

He shot to his feet, tossing the scroll, growling, 

“WHO BROUGHT HER HERE.”