~ Rhys ~
Seated on his dining chair by the rounded table of his balcony in the connecting parlour to his bed chamber, Rhys glared at his arm resting on the glass top. He sat in his breeches, legs wide, back resting against the chair with an intimidating air.
Only a few hours had slipped away, yet those hours were far too long in such a vulnerable state of unconsciousness. While Amira may have dealt a potentially fatal blow to Rhys, the opportunity was ripe for others to exploit his weakened condition. He had many enemies. Fortunately, Rhys proved more robust than most believed, regaining consciousness after mere hours rather than enduring days of incapacitation.
The royal physician attended to his ribs, stitching the last of his injuries. Rhys’ teeth ground together every time he heard the wheezing of his breath.
“Punctured lung and neck, not to mention the aconite in your bloodstream. The assassin was close this time,” the physician commented, watching him warily. Even if the king hadn’t been poisoned by the aconite blocking the connection to his wolf, Rhys would struggle to heal. The wounds ran deep, each strike a testament to the seething fury behind them.
But Rhys was the Alpha King for a reason. He wasn’t meant to be so easy to kill.
Rhys waved the physician off, aware that his stitches were done. The man tidied his equipment quickly, and a maid helped remove the bowl of bloodied water and cloths. While they packed everything away, Rhys ignored the gaze burning holes into the side of his face as he thought more and more of the she-wolf who attacked him.
The she-wolf with mismatched eyes. Eyes Rhys could never forget. Amira. Formerly known as Amira Desai, heir to the Desai Dukedom, daughter to Alpha Dashiell of the eradicated pack, Shadow Moon.
He should have figured it out years ago. When rumours spread about a rising leader in the rebels, a woman of deadly beauty and mismatched eyes named Amira, he should have known it was his old childhood friend.
The term "friend" held too much weight for their past relationship. After all, they were just children, with one struggling to articulate words.
Rhys thought Amira had died. Well, it was self-evident she was alive and very passionate in her attempt to kill him. The fury in her eyes surpassed any memories of their past together as if their shared experiences meant nothing. He wasn’t sad or hurt by it. If anything, it flared his temper in response.
Not only did Amira try to kill him and lead the rebellion group against him and his rule, but she was his mate. That abysmal thing was his mate. Rhys rubbed his chest where a strange ache was until he finally looked at his Beta.
“I need a drink,” he muttered, standing from his seat and hissing from the sudden movement.
“Sit,” Baltir sighed, then held his hands up, not meaning to disrespect the Alpha by giving him orders. “Get Alpha Rhys a strong drink. Everyone else leave.”
Rhys tipped his head back, closing his eyes, not wishing to be disturbed by anyone, that included Baltir. Rhys could tell from the shifting of Baltir's feet and the energy surrounding him that his friend was barely holding back his questions.
A glass of dark brown liquid was placed before him. The maid curtsied and scurried away, happy to be dismissed. Baltir sat on the other seat facing him before the small round table. He was pouring his own glass of whiskey, waiting for Rhys to talk to him.
“It’s not like you to let them get away,” Baltir began before sipping the contents, his grey eyes locked on him. "The trackers struggled to pick up a scent. The assassin has skilfully escaped."
Rhys downed the whiskey in one gulp, relishing the burn of the contents as it coursed down his throat and enveloped his stomach with a sinking warmth. Baltir arched his brow but poured the Alpha another drink.
Rhys kept his friend waiting as he opened the golden cigar box. Baltir tsked and moved it out of his reach. "Your lungs are punctured," he hissed, glaring at Rhys before bowing his head submissively and pouring the king another drink.
Rhys sighed, letting it go.
“She was my mate,” Rhys muttered, his voice filled with anger. He stared into the glass in his hand, lost in the memories of Amira’s eyes filled with such fury and murderous intent, even with the revelation that he was her mate.
As he was disgusted by her, Amira mirrored his disgust like he was beneath her. He scoffed and downed his newly poured whiskey, ignoring Baltir’s stare.
“The assassin is your mate?” He asked slowly as though he was trying to comprehend what Rhys said.
Rhys nodded, tapping his finger against the glass before pouring another glass of whiskey. The alcohol’s effects weren’t hitting yet, and he wanted to numb the pain inflicted by that wretched rogue. By… his mate.
“Not anymore. We rejected each other,” Rhys replied, feeling that strange ache in his chest again.
Baltir jumped up. “You rejected her?! Rhys, do you know what this means?! How could you-”
“Amira rejected me as I did her,” Rhys snapped, glaring at his Beta. He knew why Baltir was so upset. But he wasn’t about to accept a rogue intent on killing him as his mate. That was no Luna.
“Amira?” Baltir’s eyes flicked between the kings from across the table he now leant his hands against. “You had time to talk?”
Rhys glanced outside the patio doors leading to the balcony. Was this how Amira entered his quarters? It was high, though, and guards would see a figure climbing onto his balcony. It was always a weakness to his bed chambers, but he wouldn’t move. He wouldn’t accept his deceased parent’s room.
“Rhys?” Baltir urged his voice deeper from annoyance.
Baltir was the only one permitted to speak to him in such a manner. He sometimes took advantage of their friendship more than necessary. Nevertheless, even his wolf exhibited a level of tolerance towards him, which spoke volumes, considering his vicious nature.
With a sigh, Rhys told Baltir precisely what happened, how Amira seduced him, acting like Jasmine, allowing him to get close enough for her to sink that dagger into his neck and ribs. By the end of it, the bottle of whiskey was almost finished.
~ Rhys ~ “Rhys, that was your chance-” “Don’t,” Rhys warned his friend. The Alpha did not need reminding of what he’d lost from rejecting the she-wolf. But he would rather tolerate that than accept someone so unworthy. A rogue! What was the Goddess thinking? They were enemies. Surely, the deity knew they'd be at each other's throats. Literally. Rhys tenderly grazed his throat, the very spot where Amira had plunged her blade. He pondered how she fared following his retaliation, his claws sinking into her flesh. He hoped her escape was a fucking struggle. His eyes gleamed in fury. Nobody escaped the king's wrath. Yet he allowed her to slip out. It was no skill of hers. He refused to admit to it. Baltir sighed, dragging his hand over his face and leaving it there. “The Moon Goddess will not be pleased-” “Fuck her,” Rhys growled his blasphemy. “What has she done for me and my family?” “You shouldn’t-” “Enough,” Rhys cut off his friend again. “Send in Eden.” His balls were still a
~ Amira ~ A cold shiver stirred Amira awake, though, through her grogginess and injuries, she merely peeked through her lashes, noting the change in scenery. She was no longer in the forest, and the rumbling noise of gravel beneath wheels and the motion rocking her body alerted her to the carriage she was in. She relaxed, feeling safe from the blanket wrapped around her body and the smell of spices. “Rest, Amira. Gather your strength before meeting Xenos.” The mention of his name should have startled her to alertness, but she did not want to wake from her dreams. Even if they were nightmares. It was better than her reality. She’d failed to kill the Alpha King and returned alive to face Xenos' wrath. Amira’s eyes drooped shut again, too tired to care. Her sleep was restless, her eyes occasionally slipping open to see the passing of streets under the silver hues of the moon that escaped the clouds. At one point, Amira sensed her body being lifted and moved, but exhaustion and the s
~ Rhys ~ Sighing, Rhys rolled onto his side. His breathing came easily, devoid of pain in his lungs, and his throat felt a little uncomfortable, but the sharp stinging sensation had vanished. He felt… refreshed. Was the aconite out of his system so quickly? It had been some time since he was last poisoned, but he never recovered this fast. Unless he slept for longer? Rhys was about to drift off to sleep once more, satisfied his recovery was quicker than he anticipated, until he noticed the consciousness of another being. It did not feel like his feral, ferocious wolf, Demon. His eyes snapped open, concerned with this strange feeling. He blinked as the musty, dark room came into focus. A frown formed on his face as a sense of disorientation washed over him. The bed beneath him lacked any trace of luxury or comfort, and the presence of two meagre pillows and a thin blanket startled him, revealing that this was most certainly not his familiar opulent abode. Rhys remained prone, care
~ Amira ~Putting her utensils down, Amira stared at the Beta. No more-like was gawking at the Beta. He was scolding her, well, Rhys, for letting Eden, the woman the king slept with the night before, stay in his bed chambers.“You know she will think there is more between you now. She is not your mate, and…” Beta Baltir continued his scolding whilst Amira remained quiet, assessing him. The Beta appeared mostly composed, yet being early in the morning, he had forgone a cravat, leaving three buttons of his shirt undone, revealing glimpses of ink on his skin. Amira swallowed hard as she gazed at the well-defined chest muscles adorned with tattoos, transforming this scolding Beta from a ‘good boy’ to someone she might very well get along with. It was too early to come to that conclusion, though. Besides, this was all in her head. The Beta probably was a goody two shoes in real life.It didn't matter. Right now, Amira would enjoy this mighty fine view.“Are you well, Rhys?”Amira’s gaze
~ Rhys ~ Xenos? Rhys recognised the name, but he didn’t seem quite up to figuring it out yet, what with being a fricken woman! He growled his annoyance, the sound coming out not as ferocious as he meant. “I know he’s a dick, but we just have to get through it,” Zayyan said before turning away. Rhys nodded and started to follow. “Woah, woah. What do you think you’re doing?” Zayyan looked at him like he was crazy. “Your charms aren’t going to get you out of this one. Put some bloody clothes on.” He gestured at Rhys' attire. “I’ll wait outside.” Rhys glanced at his clothing, still feeling overly surreal that he had breasts and pussy. Zayyan was right, though. This was no way for a lady to leave a room. He scoffed, scanning the room for a wardrobe of some sort. Muttering to himself, Rhys remarked, "Amira's not really a refined lady..." Though he hadn’t seen her since she was four, he was pretty certain her etiquette lessons were far from satisfactory. “Where are her clothes!?” He
~ Rhys ~ It made sense that Xenos Desai was one of the leaders of the rebels. It was unclear if he became a rogue before or after the fall of the Shadow Moon pack. The events were close together long ago, before Rhys’ reign. Xenos strolled towards Rhys, his expression cold, his large body most likely meant to be intimidating as he approached his niece. Leaning forwards, he held Rhys' hardened gaze, then burst into laughter, smacking Rhys on the shoulder so much his body shook, and his bones seemed to rattle. Yet the humour on Amira’s uncle’s face did not reach his eyes, nor did his laughter seem genuine; it was cold and forced. Rhys could see straight through his little façade. He hadn’t been there long, but he got the impression that Uncle Xenos did not particularly like Amira. Or he was a cold bastard who seemed power-hungry. “Of course I am! I am just afraid your reputation is tarnished. You are the best and could not defeat the Alpha King.” Xenos sighed, turning away and look
~ Amira ~Waltzing through the palace without anxiously looking over her shoulder, Amira enjoyed the bows and curtsies towards her, well, Alpha King Rhys. She was used to nods of acknowledgement from guild members but nothing as extravagant as this!There were only a few servants around and guards posted throughout the palace. If there were courtiers, then they were all still asleep in their chambers. As they should be at this time. Amira was an early riser, especially since her view from her normal room at the guild had a view of the valley; it always made her want to get up before others when everything was peaceful and eerily quiet before the hustle and struggle of daily life.Whilst Amira’s mind spun with life back in the Wilds, she admired the grandeur of the place, trying to ignore Beta Baltir’s stares.“You act like you’ve never been here before. We need to go down this corridor..” He trailed off, looking at her strangely whilst pointing in the opposite direction. The polished
~ Amira ~ Amira didn’t flinch or tense up to Baltir’s sudden change in demeanour. Though he harboured suspicion, he had no way to substantiate that she wasn't the king. Moreover, she was confident that he wasn't entertaining such thoughts in the first place. Even if this Beta did figure it out, Amira wouldn't care. She'd wake up at some point. Remaining chill, Amira shrugged it off. “Look, some of my memories are a little foggy and mixed at the moment. It might bet the aconite messing with my head.” Baltir narrowed his eyes momentarily before he nodded as though it all made sense. “Yes, you’re right. You’d never admit you’re wrong,” he muttered beneath his breath, not meant for her ears. But she heard it anyway. Once that tense moment passed and Baltir seemed to watch the Alpha King more seriously though he did not fault her for wanting to have fun. Racing to the lake wasn’t the only activity they planned as the king’s day of ‘slacking off’. They were deep in the forest of the