CHAPTER EIGHT

An ancient stronghold stood like a silent sentinel, its stone walls bearing the weight of time, majestic and flawless, it rose with an air of authority, reflecting those who dwelled within it.

From the From westwing of the fortress, an imposing figure emerged from the it, descending from the steps, he walks with his long strides that convey his confidence and authority, his dark brown eyes staring deeply at the red haired boy kneeling stairs, at first glance, the boy looked fierce, defiant even, but when looking closely he reveal a softness that made other relax around him, even when they shouldn’t “dare.

My lord, this is the person we found in the principal’s office,” Charles said as he shoved the red-haired boy toward the floor.

Rick’s face darkened instantly.

A wave of powerful pheromones crashed across the hall. Everyone gasped as their knees buckled. No one understood why the king was suddenly consumed by rage.

Rick stormed down from the stairs with a menacing expression, as if ready to tear apart anything or anyone that came his way.

“Why did you push him?” he growled.

He grabbed Charles by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.

“Rick… what’s wrong with you?” Charles is choking on his words.

Rick blinked, coming back to his senses, and released him with a harsh exhale.

“Don’t ever lay a finger on him again, do you hear me?”

Charles nodded, confused.

I brought these kids here to make their lives miserable, so why are we not doing that? he didn’t dare to voice it out.

Rick walked to the red-haired boy, who was still kneeling on the floor. Rick gently held his face in his palm, turning it left and right, examining it properly, as if searching for something. He brought the face closer to his face, too close that their lips almost collided, but before it did, he eventually let it go, scoffing and pulling away.

“The moon goddess must be a joker,” he muttered.

“Take him to the room next to mine,” Rick ordered, already walking off.

He paused on his track

“What’s your name?”

“Gray,” the boy answered softly.

Rick's eyes flicked back to him, cold, but a twitch at the corner of his mouth, almost like a smirk. Then he disappeared around the corridor.

Charles grabbed Gray by the wrist and led him up the stairs. They turn to the left following through a long corridor that leads to a door. Two doors stood opposite each ot, both decorated in gold color and had some fine patterns on them. A carved mystical beast on it, which looked like a Lycan.

Gray glands at the larger door which look almost similar, same patterns but grander than the other, that’s should be the Lycan’s room, Gray thought.

“So,” Gray asked casually, “Who are you to the Lycan king?”

Charles shot him a deadly glare, “If you don’t keep your mouth shut, I’ll silence you myself,” he threatened.

Gray lets a soft laugh, “You can’t do anything to me.”

“Oh?” Charles scoffed.

“Yeah. because he’ll kill you.” Gray puffed out his cheeks, looking adorable and smug.

Charles blinked. “Are you a child or something? And what gave you the confidence that he will protect you”?

“First, I’m not a baby, I just enjoy looking adorable. And second, I can feel it. He won’t let anything happen to me.”

Charles huffed. “The fact that he protected you the other time has given you some sort of confidence, but I won’t blame you. He is probably saving the torment for himself, so beware.”

Gray rolled his eyes. Looking eyes. “Are we going in or not?” A smirk escaped his lips, mischievous.

“You were the one who was being too chatty, and now you are urging me?” Charles muttered, You are damn hilarious.

He opened the door to the room, and Gray stared inside his eyes, widening.

“WOW. This room is amazing!”

Charles frowned. “You’re not here for a holiday, so behave yourself.” he lamented,

“Whose room is this?” Gray asked, running his finger through lavender curtains.

“As I said, you're not here for…” Charles stopped, exhaling sharply. “Don’t think my being lenient with you means you get to do whatever you like, because I might crush you without you realizing it, do you get me?” he said loudly, going back to his old, cold self.

Gray held up his hands. “Sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you; I was just curious,” Gray said.

“Did you forget that you are a hostage?” Charles asked sharply.

“Sorry, okay?”,

Charles sighed. “This room was decorated by Rick’s brother. It was supposed to be for his future luna, my sister, but they died, so Rick kept this room untouched to remember them, even though he is sleeping in his brother’s room, he still kept this one as a keepsake.

Gray’s smile faded. “How did they die?”

Charles’s fists clenched, and pain was evident in his eyes as they turned blood red.

He took a deep breath, “I am not saying a word about that,” he muttered. “I might regret what I will end up doing next.”

Gray didn’t push further. Instead, he went and sat down on the dressing table. Looking at his reflection in the dressing mirror.

“This room is too girly,” he complained.

Charles smirked. “And you look girly yourself.”

Gray snapped his head toward him. “Excuse me?” “What do you mean by that?” he demanded.

Charles ignored him and walked out.

“I will go send someone with your food.”

Gray muttered to himself, “Who looks girly? he must be having issues with his primary visual cortex, how does an old man mistake perfection for girly” or maybe he lacks comprehension, he views me as manly and interpret it as girly, ohm I almost forgot he is 2000 plus years, and I heard old people usually have problem with their eye sight, it must be pretty weak.

He lay down on the bed, gazing at the lovely chandelier. The room is a vision of elegance, a sanctuary fit for a Luna. Delicate lace curtains filtered the sunlight, casting intricate patterns on the plush carpet. The walls were painted with a soft, serene lavender, adorned with framed portraits of a lovely girl in white.

She must be Charles’s sister, Gray muttered,

“I wonder how those two are doing in that dungeon… sweet pie would love this room.” He signed. “I really missed them.”

“I wish they were with me, unfortunately, that blockhead of a Lycan won’t let them.”

“Who are you calling a blockhead?” Charles asked suddenly from the doorway, fist clenched tight ready to throw a punch.

Gray smirked, “I didn’t mention any names here. But if the title fits, feel free to claim it.”

Charles stepped forward. “You really like playing with me, don’t you? Let me ask you, in what way did I look approachable to you? Most Lycans get intimidated when they are near me, but you… You act like you’re talking to a puppy.”

Gray tilted his head. “You are quite intimidating. But I can tell you have a great heart, that you are trying to hide using that cold face of yours, but I know deep down you are a nice person,”

Charles froze. “How did you… You figure that out?”

“The way you talk… your eyes… everything.”

Gray grew serious. “But honestly, I want to know what happened between the werewolves and the Lycans that caused this hatred.

Silence filled the room. Charles sat down on the bed, his face staring intently at the chandelier.

“No one knows what actually happened,” he said quietly. “The elders won’t tell us anything. But what we do know is that the werewolves killed my sister. Rick’s brother also killed himself afterward. And since then, vengeance is call we’ve lived for.”

Gray frowned. “So, you guys didn’t know what actually happened, what if, it was your sister’s fault that led to her killing, why didn’t your elders retaliate? Why let them live? Doesn’t that seem… suspicious?”

Charles stiffened, rage flashing across his face. “He grabbed Gray by the neck.

“My sister was kind, pure she would never hurt anyone, so it can never be her fault.”

“Calm down,” Gray croaked. “I’m just saying, it doesn’t add up. Besides, it's not like the two of you are dumb. Why would werewolves kill your future luna? As a result, the future king killed himself, and the elders were okay with letting them go. You know how important hair is for the supernatural. They had opportunities to get rid of the werewolves when they lost their abilities, but they chose not to. Don’t you think there is a loop in the hole?

Charles slowly released him.

“You’re right,” he whispered. “We have been blinded by hate. There is more to this, something the elders don’t want us to know.”

“Exactly,” Gray whispered. “We need to uncover it.”

“But before that, can I go see someone in that dungeon?” Gray asked.

“Your girlfriend?” Charles asked with a smirk”

“No, it's more like a boyfriend and a friend who would probably explode anytime soon, Gray replied.

“What!” “You have a boyfriend? And you are here, angry that I called you girly, are you serious?”

Gray shrugged, “Yeah. am serious.”

Charles leaned close, hand gripping Gray’s waist. “So tell me… how do you two…”

Suddenly

BOOM!

The door burst open.

Charles’ was hurled across the room, his eyes wide with shock and fear. He crashed into the bookshelf, sending tomes tumbling to the floor.

A menacing growl echoed through the air.

“Stay off my mate!” The voice was low, raspy, sending shivers down their spine.

Gray’s heart skipped

MATE!!!!!