Chapter five: Lust and Escape

AMELIA’S POV

It has been a few weeks since my intimate night with Lycan King Talon, and I have to say that my life has been a living hell. He had sent me out of his room coldly, like I was just an object he used and was now done with. After that day, I was relegated to the job of a maid. It was just like life in my old pack, except that this time my tormentor was my mate.

I won't lie, I was heartbroken about it. I understood the agreement of a breeder, but I still couldn't force away my emotions toward my mate and the fact that he had marked me. My wolf whined at me almost every night to connect with our mate, but I was left hopeless because I didn't know what to do. I could only pray I survived the next day after the strenuous labor and maltreatment from my mate.

Today, I was punished because I woke up a minute late. For some unknown reason, I have been feeling a little sick, and that's why I missed work. I tried to explain to the Lycan king Talon, but he wouldn't listen. He gave me the punishment of washing all his clothes and ironing them. I had no choice but to carry my weak body and take the punishment, or else I would be whipped. 

I heard some approaching footsteps, and when I saw the person coming, my tensed body eased up a little. It was Charles, Talon's beta.

Charles has been my savior these past few weeks; he was more concerned about me than my mate. He didn't want any harm to come to me, and if possible, he would try to get a punishment from the Lycan king just so I wouldn't face any abuse. He was truly sent by the goddess to protect me, for which I was very grateful.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” He rushed to my side and placed the back of his palm on my forehead to check my temperature. His usual kind and gentle face was curved in a frown, and I could see the hint of anger in his eyes. He was always not happy whenever the Lycan king treated me badly.

“I'm better; don't worry. I don't know how I missed the time this morning. I started to say, but he cut me off.

“You missed the time because you worked until late yesterday, so it's not your fault. Besides, it was only a minute late, but he still chose to punish you even when you told him you felt sick. Why is he so heartless?” Charles fumed, his hands balling up into fists. Charles was a charming man and a child at heart; he hardly got angry, so for him to be this furious, it was pretty serious. But I knew why; it was because it was about me, and it warmed my heart to see him so concerned. If only I had met him sooner at my former pack, he was the perfect lover. 

I paused my washing to give him a warm hug to calm him down. He visibly relaxed and wrapped his hands around me, enclosing me in his well-built frame. “I hate seeing you hurt Amelia; it breaks my heart so much. If only I could take you away from here, I would without a second thought,” he said.

“I know” was the only thing I said. He has been suggesting that we run away from Talon's pack, but we both knew it wouldn't be that easy. As long as Talon was here, we would never be able to escape.

After a while in each other's embrace, Charles pulled away and brought a nylon bag from his side and said, “I know you haven't eaten since morning; I got some food for you; eat quickly while I help you wash a bit.” 

I nodded and smiled at him; my heart warmed at the gesture. It was hard to deny that I was already in love with this kind man. 

***

“The king has fallen ill; the king is sick.” I heard some people gossip heatedly around me. A month had passed since I arrived at the pack, and I had never heard of the king being sick.

It was a cause for alarm because many pack doctors from within the pack and outside had checked the king, but no solution could be found. I even heard that he could die if no solution was found in the next few days. 

He has treated me badly since I came here, but I would never wish him dead because his people needed him. The pack needed him, or else it would crumble and face numerous attacks from rivals and enemies. Everyone prayed for his well-being every day.

“Amelia, over here.” I heard Charles call out to me from a corner, and I rushed to meet him.

“How is he? The people are panicking,” I asked him.

“He's getting worse, Amelia; I'm afraid we won't be able to save him,” Charles said worriedly. He has been ruling the pack in Talon's stead ever since he fell sick, and the weight of everything was visible in his stressed figure. I was deeply concerned about him; the load of such a huge pack was too much for him to handle. A beta can hardly replace an alpha's place.

“What are the pack doctors saying? What do they need for him to be well?” I asked.

“I don't know; I think they mentioned something about a divine herb mixture, but no one knows how to make it.” 

“What? A divine herb mixture? I know how to make it,” I said with wide eyes. Who would have thought that would be this cure?

“Really, but how?” Charles asked in shock.

“I was a maid in my former pack, remember? I learned how to make all types of herbs from there.”

"Oh, Amelia, that's great news. Let's go tell them quickly so we can give it to the king.”

We hurried to the king's chambers, and Charles told the doctors of the discovery. The doctors were desperate at that point, so they decided to give it a try. I listed the ingredients, and everything was provided within two hours, and I immediately went to work. I told Charles to send the doctors out of the chambers because it was a delicate mixture that needed full concentration, and with his help, I was able to make it. 

I quickly fed it to Lycan King Talon's frailing unconscious body, and we both watched him anxiously.

“What if it doesn't work?” Charles suddenly asked out of the blue.

I looked at him in confusion and said, "Why wouldn't it? You said the divine herb mixture was the cure.” 

“I know, but I'm not 100% sure. If it doesn't work and the king dies, his blood will be on your head, and the whole pack will be after you,” Charles said worriedly.

What he said made sense; now I was also worried. “What do we do then?” I asked.

“Let's run away from the pack tonight; this is our perfect opportunity,” he said.