Marry me!

Lucia's POV 

"All rise!" Rhein commanded. This wasn't the voice he used to talk to me the other day. He sounded too Romantic then, but now his tone was the most intimidating thing I had ever heard. 

I can't believe I spent a night with the man I hated and feared the most. Not like he had wronged me in any way, I just hated his ruthless nature and then those stories about how he treats women like they are worth nothing. I've always wanted to meet him just to correct that motion, but here I was cuddled up in his arm, unable to say a thing. 

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" Alpha Herod's voice scared me out of my frozen state. "I see that you two already met." 

"Ki..King Rhein..." I stuttered, trying to pull his hands off my waist.

He simply ignored my plea as he continued with Alpha Herod. "Not our first meeting," he explained and I could feel everyone's eyes on me. 

Oh, Goddess! 

"Though I must admit, our previous encounter was...more intimate."

My face burned with embarrassment as everyone fell silent, the weight of curious gazes upon me. I tried to wriggle free from Rhein's grasp, but his fingers only tightened around my waist.

"Lucia, dear, don't be shy," Rhein whispered, his hot breath grazing my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

I shot him a glare, but his expression remained impassive, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"It's not what you all think," I chimed in, just to make sure people don't begin to have a wrong impression about me. 

By Rhein's side stood two imposing figures. Their expressions remained stoic and unwavering as they watched the exchange.

Their eyes scanned the room, their gazes lingering on Alpha Herod before shifting back to King Rhein. Their posture exuded quiet confidence and loyalty, their presence a testament to Rhein's authority.

No emotion flickered across their faces as they listened to the conversation. They seemed to be absorbing every detail, their eyes missing nothing.

"Your Majesty," Alpha Herod began, "I trust our agreement remains intact?"

Rhein's gaze shifted to my father, his expression darkening. "I've come to collect what's owed to me. The debt will be settled tonight." A chill ran down my spine as I watched their suspicious exchange. 

Beside Alpha Herod was his Beta, Mario. Mario’s eyes squeezed in an unintentional frown as he watched how Rhein's hand Anker around my waist. 

"Shall we?" Alpha Herod proposed and King Rhein locked hands in mine as he pulled me towards the front of the crowd. 

"I'm sorry I can't come with you!" I declared, disconnecting my hand from his. 

"Lucia, don't you dare!" Alpha Herod warned. 

But Rhein merely chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I like them feisty."

He pulled me closer, his hand tightening around my waist. "Why?" he whispered, his breath grazing my ear.

Fury ignited within me. I forcefully removed his hands from my waist. Gasps echoed through the hall.

"I'm not one of those girls you can just treat however you like," I declared, my voice steady and clear. 

Rhein's expression changed, his eyes narrowing as he regarded me with surprise and intrigue.

The two guys by him tried to make a move, but with a wave of his hand, they halted.  

"Lucia, that's enough," Alpha Herod commanded, his voice firm.

"Your majesty, I'm so sorry for..." 

But Rhein raised a hand, silencing my father. "Shush... Let's hear her."

His gaze locked onto mine, with intensity. "Tell me, Lucia, what do you know of my dealings with women?"

This was finally my chance to say the words, and I stood tall, summoning all the courage left in me. "I— I've heard stories. Stories of how you discard them like trash, only using them for your pleasure without regard for their feelings."

Rhein's smile returned, his eyes glinting with challenge. "And you believe all of those stories right?" 

I paused for a second to think, I never witnessed any of these things, I only heard them. How could I have blindly believed without evidence?

I tried to regain my composure as I spoke, "Well, a lot of people have attested to it..." I said uncertainly. 

"Well... I only care about what you think." His voice dripped with seduction, but I saw something else in his eyes – a spark of curiosity.

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. Rhein's gaze held mine, his eyes searching for answers.

"Tell me, Lucia. What do you think?" he pressed, his voice low and husky.

I swallowed hard, choosing my words carefully. "I...I don't know what to think, Your Majesty."

Rhein's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Call me Rhein. We're past formalities, don't you think?"

The crowd murmured, sensing the tension between us. Alpha Herod's expression turned wary, his eyes darting between Rhein and me.

"I think we've strayed from the topic," I said, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.

Rhein chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I don't think we have. We're just getting started."

He leaned in, his breath whispering against my ear. "Tell me, Lucia, what do you think about me now that you've spent a night with me?"

My face burned with embarrassment as the crowd's murmurs grew louder. This was supposed to be a Pack's anniversary, not premium content for juicy gossip. Why would the Lycan King care about what I think of him? 

At this point, the congregation had already pulled out their cameras, hoping to catch every bit of the drama. I looked up at the sea of faces and video phones. "Oh shit!" I murmured. 

"Look, King Rhein. This is not about me.” I clarified, making sure that my point was understood by all. "It's about women in general. I know you saved me, and you're the reason I'm alive today. But I'm talking about how you treat other women, not what happened between us." 

"You need to learn to treat women with respect and dignity. You need to show them that they’re worth more than a doll which you can do away with when you are bored. That’s what I think your majesty, and that’s how it should be." I concluded, my voice firm.

Rhein's gaze never wavered, his eyes sparkling with intrigue.

"I see," he said, his voice low and thoughtful. "And do you think you could teach me how to treat a woman?"

The room fell silent, confusion etched on every face.

I blinked, taken aback. "I— I don’t understand what you’re talking about, your majesty.” 

Rhein's smile returned, his eyes crinkling. "I want you to become my wife. That way, you can teach me how to treat a woman." 

Gasps echoed through the hall, followed by murmurs and whispers.

His gaze locked onto mine, intensity burning within. "Marry me, Lucia." He said. 

I felt like I'd been punched in my lower belly. "M-marry you?" I stuttered.

Rhein nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. I want you to be my queen."

Luna Elsa, my mother, stepped forward, her face pale. "I'm sorry your majesty, but please, you can’t do this to us."

Rhein's gaze shifted to my mother, his expression cold. "I sure can, and I would. Besides, your Alpha is already aware and approves of it. Not like I need his permission to wife her, but I did get it anyways.” 

I turned to Alpha Herod with disgust, my mind reeling with an unexplainable anger. The looks in his eyes confirmed everything that King Rhein had said.

"How could you?" Luna Elsa mouthed, shaking her head at Alpha Herod in disbelief. 

Rhein's voice cut through the room, authoritative and final. "Lucia and I will be leaving early tomorrow morning. So, everyone, take your time to say your goodbyes." 

“What?” I flared. “You don’t get to take decisions over my life like that.” 

He turned to me, his expression cold now. “The earlier you accept your fate, the better for you.”