06. Disappearance

As I stared at the Lycan King.

I realized the Lycan King was not someone to mess with. His fangs elongated, as well as his claws pierced my sensitive skin.

"A-alright. Chill. I understand your sentiments in life." I managed to say in the end, trying to play it cool. I smiled at him sheepishly. “Can you release me now, Your Majesty? I’m wounded. Can’t you see?” My eyes darted at my wounded arm.  

The Lycan King followed my gaze, his eyes softening in one bit, or maybe I imagined it. It was the latter. 

Giving me one last glare, he got off me and went back to his chair, and continued looking at the window. Back to the endless scenery of rocks as high as the trees. 

I never thought the Lycan King liked watching beautiful sceneries. 

Wincing, I attempted to sit, which was difficult. 

Call it foolishness, but my mouth couldn’t stop talking and effortlessly irritating him. 

“I did not know some people are forbidden from mentioning names, Your Majesty. Especially if that someone came from Howling Pack. Mind as well tell me what the other things I am not allowed to say are? I don’t want you growling at me as if I am some kind of threat to you.” Even if I was. If I will never hesitate to kill you if I find out you did something to Sabrina. Fated mate, or not. “I  would never be effective in doing my duty by then.”

King Elio threw me an irritated glance, which did not bother me at all. 

Unlike earlier, his presence was no longer menacing. He seemed calm right now, unlike earlier. 

I shivered.

Remind me not to anger him. 

When he pinned me down earlier, it seemed like he was on the brink of shapeshifting into his beast. The question was, would he hurt me or not? Can he do that? His mate?

Remember how he nearly annihilated your pack because of his revenge for his mate? The Lycan King could kill anyone if he wanted to. Remember that. And it is your goal not to be killed when you still do not know Sabrina’s whereabouts.

“Only your pack is forbidden.”

I rolled my eyes at him. Foolish, I knew. But I couldn't help it. If the Lycan King wanted to hurt me, he had done that earlier. 

“Discrimination. If you hate my pack, then why did you ask me to protect you, then, Your Majesty?” Though forbidding us not to go outside was enough punishment.

He smirked. “Why? Do you want me to kill you then?”

My jaw clenched. “You will kill your mate? Are you that kind of asshole?” I asked back. If he can be a jerk, I can be a bitch to him. I did not care if he had already bought me. Father taught us how to fight and not let others trample us. 

“Mate? There is only one mate in this lifetime. It’s not you. It’s my beautiful Eva.”

Eva.

There was an odd personality among Lycan Kings and alpha kings. When they love, they will stick to their first fated mate. It would be unlucky for the second chance mate if she happened to come after the first fated mate’s death. She will never have an opportunity to be loved and adored by the royals.  

If that was the case, not only was I unlucky for being paired with the Lycan King, who could not get over with his mate, but I was the unluckiest of all.

“She is dead.”

“She will forever live in my heart. No one will replace her in my heart. Not even you.”

I tried to disregard the hurt in my chest. Looking for my mate did not even come into my mind, only about searching for Sabrina. 

“Mind as well you reject me, Your Majesty,” I stated calmly.

“What your tongue, woman,” he reminded me. “You're making me lose my patience way faster than the others. Is that your ability? To annoy anyone to death?”

I smiled sweetly at him. “If what you said is true, Your Majesty, you would be dead by now.”

“Mind your words!” he growled, his voice boomed. 

The carriage momentarily stopped and heard the driver ask, “Is everything okay, Your Majesty?”

We locked gazes. “Carry on,” King Elio ordered.

“You sure, Your Majesty? We can toss the slave outside if that’s what you want.” 

My eyes widened. “Why do assholes surround me?” I muttered under my breath. 

I looked at my wound. The bleeding had stopped. 

I wanted this journey to stop. I tried to reach the palace sooner and asked the woman about my sister.

“Don’t dictate to me like you are the queen.”

“Am I? I’m merely suggesting, Your Majesty.”

“Can you handle the consequences of your suggestion?”

I leaned on the chair. “Now, we are talking, King Elio. Do you care for me now? As my mate?”

“I would never love or care about someone, especially from the Howling Pack. You repulse me.”

Like I can love a bastard like you, I said in my mind. 

If he did not like me. Fine. I would never force myself into him and make myself pathetic. Sabrina was more important than my love life. 

“You’re disgusted that much? Was it also your plan to make my  life miserable just because I belong to that pack?”

“Yes. All of you will suffer.” He clenched his fist. “I will make you pay for the sins of your packmates.”

“That's already a long time, Your Majesty. Like ten years ago?”

“Shut your fucking mouth!” he growled.

I held my other hand in surrender. “You have so much in your heart. Bitterness. Anger. Revenge.  It won’t do you any good. I assure you. Those are negative emotions.”

The Lycan King no longer bothered to answer me.

Silence passed between us. I never wanted to break it and, like the Lycan King, focused my gaze on the surroundings outside as our carriage continued moving.

—-----------------------------

After a few more agonizing hours, it was already nighttime when we reached the palace.

The servants were frantic and did not know what to do as they watched the Lycan King step outside the carriage. Above all, they looked like they never wanted the Lycan King to come back based on the fears I saw in their eyes.

Another man was waiting for King Elio. He seemed familiar. And if my memory serves me right, it was the beta, his second-in-command.

We met once when he visited the pack. Beta Darius. There was a scar on his left eye. It seemed like that particular side of his eye was also blind. 

Rumors said he was the only one the Lycan King trusted, and they treated each other as brothers. 

“Your Majesty. I am grateful for your safe arrival,” he greeted. 

I followed after the Lycan King, ensuring enough distance between us. Nobles did not want it if someone walked in front of them: the gesture was a sign of disrespect in their ranks. 

Beta Darius' eyes glanced at my direction.  

“Your Majesty. I thought you're gonna stop buying slaves from the Howling Pack?”

How did he know I came from that pack? Did he remember me meeting him?

What did  I see in his eyes? 

Worry? Concern? Why?

Ahh, right. I remember. Compared to the Lycan King, the unmated beta was considered to have a heart. He was the one who stopped King Elio from killing all of my packmates. However, no one could prove if that was true or not. 

That particular night was suddenly wiped from history. The warriors and guards present that night had kept their mouths shut, especially my packmates who were still alive when that happened. 

“Why would I stop? I have all the treasures and wealth to buy anyone I want.”

Beta Darius glanced at me. “That was not what I am talking about, Your Majesty. Because of what had happened.”

Wait? What did he talk about? 

King Elio’s shoulder tensed. “Enlighten me.”

“Are you sure, Your Majesty? You will get furious by what I say.”

“Enlighten me!” he roared. 

The servants stepped back and grouped together. 

“I thought you already knew. But the female slaves, especially from the Howling Pack, have been disappearing. That woman will also disappear.”