1 - Anything else?

IRA’S POV

“You will serve at the coronation ceremony.” Denmark fired his orders. “You are expected to do everything perfectly and don't cause a ruckus.”

He flung a piece of paper towards me.

“That's the address. You go tonight, do as you're asked and come right back. Don't even think about running away, we both know you won't survive without me.”

I picked the rough handled piece of paper and hid my pain. “Yes sir.”

“The gig have been handsomely paid for. Do not put the name of this business to shame, Ira. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir.”

Denmark stood up, more like wriggled his way out of the chair. He was an overweight. A slave trader who found me in the woods four years ago.

He gave me a roof over my head in exchange for my services. I gladly agreed and signed it in my blood.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into. And even if I did, I would have signed my soul anyway. I couldn't risk getting caught.

My head remained bowed and my knees planted to the tiled floor. I let Denmark perform his usual rites before letting me go.

Denmark abused and used me for his sick pleasures. He was sick in the head and he proved it by ripping me off my clothing down to my underwear.

“You look decent.” He grunted in approval. “There will be a lot of high ranked wolves in that event. I expect you to put your looks to good use and bring back enough money to cover your living expenses.”

That was his way of reminding me to prostitute myself to any willing wolf looking for a good lay.

“Don't come back empty handed.” He warned with a sick smile.

“Yes sir.”

“Good.” Denmark left the living room, making a mess as he left to answer his ringing phone.

I got up from the floor, my knees were bruised and sore from kneeling and the menial tasks I was assigned.

“You should kill him…” I heard my wolf whisper into my mind. “You should let me rip him to shreds.”

Khanos was my other half. My soulmate and the only one who understood me in the entire world. She was my fierce Lycan wolf.

The last of her kind. She was the reason I lived this life. To protect us from the death that lurked in the shadows of our true identity.

“It's been four years, Khanos.” I chided. “We are getting settled in here. We can't ruin that now.”

My wolf huffed at my words, knowing I was right but refusing to humour me with a response.

I've been on the run with my wolf ever since I could walk. The last words of my mother who was killed by some rogues while we camped in the woods never left me.

“Run, Ira! Do not let them get you!”

Every night I heard her voice. It spurred me to action. Kept me grounded and always on the run. When I entered the werewolf community and landed in the hands of Denmark, I decided to remain.

With that decision came a price. I had to live as a slave and reduced myself to be maltreated by peasants. Everytime my wolf ached to come out and show them who's boss, I restricted her.

These days, it was easier to live as a low ranking wolf in the community. I was used to the abuse and my wild wolf was easier to contain.

I just had to get through this night in one piece. Just like I have been for the past four years. My wolf didn't do well around high ranking wolves because of their tendencies to be bigger pricks.

I prayed that the night blows off beautifully and brings some good cash too. I had plans to get out of this shitstorm soon.

I just needed to save enough money first. A thing that proved hard with Denmark constantly stealing from me.

I got to the Alpha King's house at 2pm. The coronation was at 8 and we had to do a lot of preparations for the event.

“Follow her. Make sure that the hall is set and designed to perfection.” The Royal Court lady said to a selected number of us.

I followed my peers to the duty post and worked alongside them. Due to my dependency on my physical strength, I got tired easily.

Nevertheless, I finished my allocation and was ready to call it a day when one of my colleagues called me out rudely.

“Hey! Where are you off to?”

She can't be referring to me. I thought and continued my journey out of the set hall. The next second, I felt a wet rag hit my neck.

I stiffened and stopped in my tracks.

“You don't walk when I am talking to you, dimwit!” One of the ladies yelled.

I turned around and came to contact with a tall brunette. “Who says you could leave?” she snickered,

I swallowed hard, trying to rein my anger. “I was done with my portion.” I answered calmly.

One look at her and I could tell she was a middle class wolf. Stronger than us low class wolves and yet cleaning tables with us.

“You could kill her with a single punch…” my wolf breathed and I tried not to dance to her tune.

“No you aren't.” The woman pointed to her portion, which was untouched. “Get to work, scum.”

I looked at the others and as usual, their eyes were averted as they focused on their duties. No one wanted trouble.

I didn't want trouble too. Against everything I stood for, I decided cleaning another large portion of tables and chairs wouldn't hurt.

I was wrong. It hurt like a bitch.

The night came and I was dressed in the servers uniform. My body ached all over and I just wanted to curl up in bed and sleep.

But I couldn't have that. The coronation of the next Alpha king was on and in few seconds we would get to work all night long.

The court lady addressed us before we went in. “As you know, there are important personalities in this event. You must be in your best manners and serve with respect.”

“The Alpha king will be handed a drink to toast his new reign as king. One of you will be expected to serve him and his brother before the toast.”

“Who will it be?”

No one. No one moved. It seems like everyone shied away from the responsibility. After minutes of silence, the lady continued her speech.

“You.” She pointed towards my direction. “You will handle it.” Her tone left no room for arguments. “Anything else?”

When no one spoke, she dismissed us. “That will be it for now. We recovene here at midnight.”