MINE!

CHAPTER 3: MINE!

RAYA'S POV.

King Barakar walked into his tent after a while, and found me standing, fidgeting. I quickly fell on my knees, looking down. Squinting his eyes slightly, he wondered what was going on.

"M- My Lord. Please forgive me for not recognizing you. I have never been outside Ravenhill, and I may not have paid proper attention to be able to recognize you. Please, spare me. Please!" I begged. 

The king looked at me stoically, then he calmly walked over to the table and poured himself a glass of wine and drank it partially. Setting the cup down, he turned and looked at me as he sat down.

"Have a seat." 

I wasn't sure I heard right, so I was hesitant. 

But the Alpha King didn't repeat himself. So I slowly got up and sat down at the other end of the table. It was a make-shift table so we weren't far apart. 

Tales I heard about the Alpha King growing up contributed immensely to her fear. 

"Go on. Eat," he said. I gulped, afraid that he may be testing me. 

"This isn't a test," he said, having read her mind again. "Why would I save you from those savages to end up hurting you?" 

Well, that made sense to me. Thus, it calmed my tumultuous heart.

I went ahead and began eating. I was famished. But I was uncomfortable as the king sat looking at me. 

King Barakar soon got up and began heading out, then I got up quickly before he exited the tent. 

"Change into the raiment you were given when you're done eating," he stopped at the exit and said, before he continued walking out, not waiting for my response.

"Yes, my... Lord," my voice trailed off as I bowed. I sat back down and sighed.

"The king looks much younger than I thought," I muttered. I found myself smiling, not realizing when I did, nor where the excitement stemmed from. 

When I was done eating, I got up and washed my face so as to change into the raiment. As I began taking off my dress from the shoulders, I found that the scratch from the rogue was completely healed. 

"How is it gone?" I wondered. I just assumed the King must have done something to heal me. I went ahead and got changed. 

The raiment was just the right size. I liked how fluffy it felt, but I couldn't deny it was heavier than the clothes I had been wearing all my life in Ravenhill.

Leaving the tent, I saw that it was daybreak already. I saw King Barakar talking with the man who led me into the tent, and he was no longer shirtless. 

I then noticed that everyone in the camp threw stares at me. It creeped me out.

"Don't blame them. King Barakar has never shown a female such hospitality, after he lost his Luna ten years ago." Someone said not too far from where I stood.

After unloading some water into a bath, he walked away as I looked at him. 

Some soldiers began taking some horses as some of them assembled. But there was a particular horse - a white horse, which was beautifully adorned. I knew right away who the horse was for. 

The Alpha King and the person he spoke with then walked to the meet the assembled soldiers. And one of the soldiers ran and met me.

"His Majesty asks that you join us." 

"Oh! Uh, okay," I nodded and began following the soldier. 

"Pardon me for asking, but where is His Majesty going?" I inquired cautiously.

"To Ravenhill." 

I instantly froze, stunned by what I heard. All sorts of emotions began springing up in me, causing my heart to race. 

'Does he want to hand me back to them? No. I didn't escape Ravenhill to end up back there! I can't go back there.' 

My head swirled as negative thoughts invaded.

"Are you okay?" the soldier asked me, but I was beside herself. 

"What's the delay?" 

"I'm sorry, lord Ravna," the soldier answered. It was the man who led me into the Alpha King's tent that inquired. 

The soldier grabbed me by the wrist and led me to the company. I dared not protest against the King's demand, defying him.

I got on a horse by myself, then we rode off, with three bannermen riding in front, three soldiers followed the bannermen, then the Alpha King and Ravna riding side by side, and I followed behind them, while four other soldiers were at the rear.

I felt uneasy as we headed back to the place I dreaded. All I could do was brace myself for whatever was to come my way.

As we got close to the city, we heard the city bell from the watchtower being struck. The watchmen had spotted the Alpha King's company approaching. 

The gates swung wide open just as we approached near and we rode in unhindered, the soldiers at the gate bowing. Everyone in the streets cleared the way and bowed their heads as the King passed. 

I'm sure they were all stunned at the sudden appearance of the King, making them wonder what brought him. He hardly ever left the Iron Den, his fortress in Winterhill.

Heading straight to the palace, we met some soldiers gathered in front of it. The elders, the Priestess, Jamey, Victoria, and the lords of Ravenhill were there as well to welcome the Alpha King.

Halting his horse, the Alpha King's white horse snorted, steadying itself. I got off her horse and kept her head down, avoiding eye contact. I did so all the while we rode through the city. 

"Your Majesty," Jamey bowed as he walked forward, as did everyone with him. "Welcome to Ravenhill." 

The King nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Your visit took us all by surprise," Jamey chuckled nervously. "Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared you a more befitting welcome. Please, forgive us." 

"I see congratulations are in order. Ravenhill now has a Luna," King Barakar said.

"Yes," Jamey replied, as Victoria stepped forward, and genuflected courteously.

"I am Victoria, your humble servant, and Luna of the Greyhound pack." 

"A fine choice, young Alpha," King Barakar commended, making Jamey smile. He then got off his horse, as did Ravna. 

"Your journey from Winterhill must have been strenuous. Please, let us treat you to some delicacies so you can freshen up, my Lord," Jamey requested.

"Be my guest," King Barakar nodded. Then he turned to me. 

"Follow us." 

My heart thumped at his request. The attention of the people instantaneously turned to me. Victoria looked furrowing her brow as I walked toward the King. Recognizing me, Victoria grabbed me by the hand and pulled me back.

"You! Where do you think you're going?" she snarled. 

'Crap! They've found me. It's over.'

I quivered, unable to control my frightfulness.

"How dare you step foot here?" Jamey asked, fuming. Lifting a hand to strike me, I squirmed in fear, but his hand was caught mid-air. He turned and saw that it was the Alpha King who held his hand. 

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her!" he growled. Jamey looked perplexedly at the King. 

"But she is nothing. She's just an unwanted omega," Jamey said. 

"Not anymore," King Barakar replied. "She is mine! She is my mate!"

Everyone's eyes popped out in shock at the declaration of the Alpha King. Myself, most especially.