Chapter Two

LORI’S POV

“NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” I screamed just as the sword came down. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain that would finally take me away from this world.

I would be reunited with my parents, the only two people who have ever truly loved me. We would be together again. Death didn't sound so bad.

I closed my eyes and waited for a few seconds. I didn't feel anything, not even the pain from a sword cutting through my flesh. I felt nothing. Was I already dead? Was my death that swift?

Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked around. The guards around me were gone, including the one with the sword. In fact, all the Alphas were standing to their feet and looking at me.

Everyone was looking in my direction with wide eyes and they murmured amongst themselves. What's happening? I looked at my hands and checked if I had shifted. I was still normal.

I was still human. The moon goddess had truly turned her face from me and abandoned me.

But, why were they staring at me like that then? I looked around again. No, they weren't staring at me. They were looking behind me.

I turned around, still in my position on the ground.

There, standing less than two feet behind me was an ethereal man clothed in black. There were swirls of gold embroidery on the hem of his coat and the sleeves. I watched his claws slowly retract back into his hands.

His dark hair looked almost wet and they curled and framed the darkest set of eyes I had ever seen. His skin was pale like a vampire's and his lips were as red as cheeries.

The mere sight of him sent shivers down my spine. He almost didn't look real. Had he saved me?

“Impossible…” Alpha Kilian trailed off, staring at the new arrival. “It's the Lycan King.”

I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips. The Lycan King? Here? In almost five years, he hasn’t revealed himself in public. Of course, rumours of his death had spread. But it was quickly debunked.

The Lycan King was known for his ruthlessness. People who crossed him didn't go scot free. That was how we all knew he was still alive.

The ethereal man took a step forward and I cowered. He looked into my eyes and lowered himself gently, before holding out his hand. I hesitated and looked at Alpha Kilian.

It was either death or the Lycan King. Everyone knew the King's reputation. He wasn’t a good person. He killed more than all the Alphas gathered here, combined. The guard who had tried to kill me was lying in a heap in the corner, surrounded by a few guards. He looked like he was dead. 

The Lycan King killed him.

That was the first of many scary things about him. I couldn’t trust him. Yet, there was something about him that captivated me. He had saved my life. It could only mean that he didn’t want me dead.

I took his hand.

The Lycan King helped me to my feet and made me stand next to him. “Kilian,” he said, facing the Alpha. My knees almost gave in at the aura and authority in this man's voice.

Alpha Kilian looked like he was pissed and in awe but he didn't correct the Lycan King. “What brings you here, Lord Damon?” 

His name was Damon?

“Pardon my manners, I didn’t mean to crash your… little gathering but, you were about to destroy something of mine.” The Lycan King replied.

I was so confused. What did that have to do with saving me?

“Surely, you're mistaken. I wouldn’t dare trespass to destroy something that belongs to you, Your Majesty.” Alpha Kilian said, sounding clipped. 

Every Alpha was visibly on the edge. Mothers hid their teen children, who wanted to try awakening their wolf, behind them and fathers protected their own. They didn't expect the Lycan King to make an appearance. Hell, they didn’t expect the Lycan King.

“Oh, but you did.” 

“Could you give me more details so I can have whatever it is that belongs to you, found and returned?” Alpha Kilian asked. He needed to get rid of this man quickly before things got out of hand.

“That won't be necessary because it's right here. You ordered the execution of Lorenza…” there was a long pause from the Lycan King as he let it sink in.

My head snapped to look at him. “What?”

“What? Her?” Alpha Kilian asked. He was in as much disbelief as I was. I glanced at him briefly before returning my attention to the King.

“Yes. Her.” The Lycan King repeated.

“Lord Damon, I think you're mistaken. She's nothing but a lowly wolf. We don’t believe she’s even a wolf. She can’t shift or awaken her wolf.” Alpha Kilian explained. “I was only getting rid of a mistake.”

I flinched at his words. His eyes met mine briefly and there was not even an ounce of apology in them. He was cold, treating me like a complete stranger. All the time we'd spent together, did it mean nothing to him?

“I believe you're the one mistaken, Alpha Kilian. You see, Lorenza is mine.” He growled the last part out, causing dozens of people to shrink back.

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” I asked.

The Lycan King turned his body until he was facing me. He towered over me, looking down at me. His aura was so intimidating that I held my breath.

His dark eyes bored into my eyes before flitting down to my nose, then my lips and back to my eyes. The shadow of a smile graced the corner of his lips. His eyes gleamed.

 “You, little wolf, are my mate.” He said, dropping the bombshell.