CHAPTER 2

THREE LUNAR months have passed since the melodramatic revelation bared in the maps of Otheli. It ran like wildfire that spread in every lips of nobles and commoners of the two nations- that also was the reason behind why Yseah have kept her life and survived at the recurring time- the fact that she is the Luna of their mate less crown prince Alpha. After what happened at that notable nightfall of the supposed festivity of her pack, she was spared to be slaughtered by the tyrant's silver blade and had taken her instead to the abode of his mate- the kingdom of Elodnia.

When she first step inside the palace walls of the conspicuous first nation, no one ventured to ask her whereabouts- to the fact that she is from the known savage pack of lycans. All the palace servitors were cautious to her. They would smile at her and curtsey but all thy actions were shallow as a dried pond. Crooked grin she would always see when the nobles of aristocratic families gave their gifts of welcome and congratulations at her.

"All of them were such great actors."

Yseah muttered out of her pensive thought. It was still for a moment. Her silver-locks then swayed with the cool breeze as it kisses her face. Her slender chin atop her dainty palm, she was enjoying the morning daybreak where the first ray of the celestial sun slowly pervade the blue hills of the northern east- her home.

"Good morning, your ladyship Luna. Your bath is ready."

The cordial voice of her handmaiden, Sera, let her shift her head.. A petite girl with a stature midway from her tall nose- stood before Yseah. Her hair dyed in auburn hue while trimmed in a C-cut and slid with bangs in half. Her pair of red eyes that substantiate she's from the Elodnian Pack were fixated with benevolence towards Yseah, her new master and her kingdom's Luna.

"Honestly, she's the only person who approached us with true kindness. Not those other hypocrites who holds a steel of tounge that pricks us when we turn our backs at them." Mildred spoke in her usual belligerent tone.

Yseah nod off. Her wolf is right. Despite the shallow approaches the people of his mate's nation appease her, there was still one person who stood by her side- with integrity.

"Is something wrong, my luna?"

Sera asked in raw curiosity. This just received a genuine smile at Yseah.

"Nothing. I am just happy that you are here with me."

HER HAIR adorned with pearls from the south sea where rumored to be settled by merrows of the deep and spring flowers wreaths her braided silver-locks that compliments her perfect V-shaped face. Indeed she is beautiful. Even Yseah herself is a bit amused by the features she long has possessed. She was after the only distinction of her kin. She was the only one in her pack that can alter oneself into a werewolf and back to human form. She can hide her fleecy fur and so as canine teeth just as the other packs can do. The tyrant's Crown Prince was right after all- she is a half blood. But whatever the other kins have stated, she knew herself that wherever she came from, she is worthy to be called one of the Crystal Moon Pack.

The sudden sorrow strum her heart. The feeling of guilt rushed into her veins and throbs her heart in the most painful way. If she would ran back to memory lane, living her life now with grandeur inside the palace walls was the most treacherous feat she had ever done for her pack. She should have just let the tyrant's silver blade slice her neck to end her life just as what her kin have experienced - but instead she chooses to let her desire of avenge from her mate to triumph. She was foolish and blinded of bloodshed that until now, she had never done to implement.

"Sera, remind me again why I have to dress up like this?"

Yseah asked in whim after her short reverie.

Gazing her pair of ruby eyes through the crystal reflection of her served lady, Sera warmly curled her lips.

"You do not remember my lady? His Imperial Majesty, Alpha Jacques entreated to have a morning meal altogether with you and his highness the crown prince. His Majesty the Alpha noticed that the two of you highnesses rarely see each other. He is worried that the distant relationship would grew even more and falter the empire's future." Sera uttered her response whilst the swamped hands in doing the final touches for her hair. "It was stated by his Imperial Alpha, last night at dinner time. You do not recall about it my Lady?"

"No, I do not."

Yseah replied with furrowed lips. Her mind always flew far away on it's own when having her meals- whether it would be with someone or her alone.

THE SOUND of the of tea poured in the royal blue porcelain teacup, was the only noise resonated at the table for three. Yseah was seated across the staid Ruvillous and medial with the Emperor Alpha.

"So did you have a good night sleep last night , my child Yseah?" Query of the old lad in his quite long beard of white spoken at his quotidian gentle manner.

Yseah then slightly bow down her head as the response of 'yes' escaped her lips. The fact that she grew up from the uncivilized kin at the maps of Otheli, she had to take such etiquette classes were to the slightest manner of laughter and walking must always be meticulously lady-like.

"What a crap to begin with."

Mildred spoke again at the back of her mind. Disregarding her wolf's statement, she slid her hands through her teacup's handle and then lift it up to take a sip.

"So have you done it, last night? Can I expect my grandchild before I abdicate the throne?"

In the most affable way of asking someone a grand heir, Yseah can't help but choke at her own saliva and the hot bland tea- motley stuck at her throat. She coughed with her head bowed down as she spew the heterogeneous mixture of embarrassment.

This old geezer! Why does he have to ask such question in front of him!!

Yseah screamed mentally at her mind.

"Are you okay my dear child?"

"How can she be okay after asking such question." A riposte instantly responded by Ruvillous in his glacial tone. "Don't ask nonsense queries like that at her anymore."

"And why I cannot?" Alpha Jacques marked a start of reprimanding. "Do not tell me you did not share the same room again!"

Silence welcome his statement. Yseah pursed her lips as she wiped it with the handkerchief Sera reached her after the little scene. Yseah doesn't even care of being marked by a murderer, but still a lingering feeling of gnawing wander her thought if she herself as his fated mate has part at the bastard's heart.

"For goodness sake Ruvillous! When are you going to release your pride!" As anticipated, there can never be a normal meal without voices racing each other at the top. "You have finally found your mate yet you choose not to accept that fate! You can never be worthy to be called as the heir of Elodnia Pack and the Empire if your mateless for eternity! Are you even listening to me!"

Wondering such nonsense love is indeed foolish. What am I to expect at this jerk? And he can even call himself a Prince.

Hatred seized Yseah's heart as vision of the cold corpses flashed against her mind. The grip of her teacup's handle tightened as she bit the gums of her rosy cheeks.

Why I'm I even her mate in the first place anyway?! If I ever would find love, I want a mate who despise a single shed of blood. One that also belongs to my kin for a normal relationship - to where boundless love I can have by him for the rest of the blue moons marked in my life.

A deep sigh heave by the enigmatic Crown Prince ends Yseah's short trance.

"Very well then." Ruvillous spoke in a deadapan expression. "Expect me at your quarters tonight, Lady Yseah."