8

# 8...

The gates flew open and a beautiful kingdom came into view, it was peaceful and quiet; everyone seemed to be asleep.

"Why are we here? I thought you said you wanted to go hunting?" I asked,

I was already very fretful about Verin's sudden hunting desires.

I was busy, pitying and praying for the poor animals to not meet this beast. He is completely worse and dreadful than those dangerous animals. They weren't troubling him, so why was he? He's so inhumane.

He didn't answer me and just kept walking.

"Answer me" I urged him as I shook his arms.

"You'll see" he said, still focused on his destination. The kingdom was very very silent, why wouldn't it be? It was freaking after midnight!!

We got to a large palace. This one was glorious and very beautiful. Though it also had that hauntingly creepiness like Verin's, and it wasn't as spacious as his either, it was quite calmer. It was peaceful rather than scary like I had expected.

"This is where I'm hunting"

he said as his lips curved up for a quick moment and returned to it's emotionless face.

We got a huge room. It was the royal courtroom. Verin majestically sat on a white sofa chair that had an ash colour wolf painting at both handles.

He rested his back on the body of the sofa and rested his chin on his right knuckles while the elbow rested on the handle. He acted like he was already getting bored while he waited for someone. Soon after a majestic King entered the courtroom.

Everyone bowed and greeted him except for Verin.

I didn't want to be unmannered so I decided to greet as well. As I bent my head to bow and greet Verin suddenly spoke. "Don't waste your energy for this whiff. You'll need them for me" he said, he gaze looking at the man with exasperation evident in his eyes.

What happened now?

"Speak " Verin said. The man then bowed at Verin and started talking. Is Verin also superior to this King? "Alpha, apologies for the inconvenience" the man started. Alpha? Why did he call him that?

"You know the consequences of your actions" Verin suddenly spoke. "Yes... But-" "No more talks, Lewan..." Verin suddenly cuts him off. "Finish him off" he added. What? Just like that? He didn't even let the man speak when he literally asked him to do so! Suddenly...

"No! Alpha please don't hurt my father. It is me who should be punished" A lady said running towards her father. She was beautiful, thin and curved. "Okay..." Verin suddenly sat up and leaned down, resting both elbows on his laps and his hands clicked together. His chin rested on his knuckles as he surveyed the young princess. "I will pardon your father... But on one condition..." He trailed off.

My heart was pounding, what on earth did this King do? "Sleep with me" he added. The god of silence passed as everyone seemed to have held their breaths as well. "What?" The princess seemed shock and scared. I on the other side felt disgusted. "Yes what?" I asked as well.

"You heard me..." Verin yawned like a bored king as if what he just said wasn't a big deal.

"But I'm betrothed to your brother" the princess could only say.

"Do you agree? I just need a 'yes or no' answer" he shrugged.

The princess slowly shook her head, apologizing. She looked like she was scared of him. "Lewan... Kill him now... In front of everyone" he smiled like he was happy with what was happening.

Lewan was about to do his bidding when I found myself screaming. "Verin no!!!" I was shocked at my own outburst but at that point I couldn't stand it.

I just couldn't stand to see any one else dying in front of me.

I quickly bowed and folded my hands together in front of me. "Apologies... Your Majesty" my heart was pounding. I took a quick peek and saw that he gave a sign to Lewan to pause. "If there's anyone who needs to be killed... Then it's me" I started. "Hmm, interesting... But why?" He asked, his eyes still looking at the duo kneeling on the floor in front of him.

"Because, I am your greatest enemy now. If I were you, you kill me, because if you don't..." I said, moving my hands upwards, crossing them over my chest.

"You will only be causing yourself to count your last days." I completed.

I never thought I would be this brave, I was surprised myself at my courage. Verin laughed. His laugh echoed loudly in the room, causing everyone to flinch. His laughed like the devil himself. It was scary. "You really want me to think I should listen to you?" He smiled very devilishly. "Yes, because I hate you and I will make sure I make you pay for everything you did to me" I said, anger already filling my voice. If my anger is the reason I am being brave then I guess I'll not let it go.

The room became graveyard silent, he then shifted his gaze towards me.

I held my breath as he looked intensely into my eyes.

He laughed again and then slammed his hands on the table in front of him. It was quite loud and the small debris fell to the floor, due to the impact of how he had banged on the table.

"You just insulted me maid... Which is bad" he said as he leaned back on the sofa. The courage where slowly dissipating within me as I could hear my heart beat with fear. My heartbeat was so loud and the place returned to its silence state that I thought everyone there could hear it as well.

The anticipation was killing me. "Well... Since you don't want them dead and I also don't want to kill you. But you just insulted me..." He trailed off...

As he stood up and quietly walked towards me, his hands in his pockets. His pace was ever so slowly.

"So your punishment is... For. You. To. Kill. Them" he said, stating each word so loud, enough for everyone to hear. Shock and horror was written on my face. I just knew nothing good will come out of his mouth!