CHAPTER SÉVÈN

♡𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘♡

I fisted the sheets, my knuckles turning white. Frustration gnawed at my skin, making my head hurt and my brows furrow. I had become restless, after the tragedy that was our second encounter I had not seen his highness in a space of three weeks. I was beginning to think he wasn't going to come back but earlier today while I flipped through the pages of the book Faye had lent me she informed me his majesty would be coming to my chambers tonight.

For some reason I was quite anxious. Had I angered him with my confession? I wondered.

I was no longer as terrified as I used to be, It was clear he wasn't going to punish me, he had made it pretty obvious. For some reason I believed him, was it stupid of me? He was the King after all, if he actually wanted to hurt or get me killed he would have done so by now but the fact remained he hadn't. He had tried his best to assure me that I was safe here with him, the most powerful man that existed. I awaited his arrival, perched at the edge of the bed. I stared blankly at the door, thinking.

Up until now nothing was go in according to plan. I had revised it so many times in my head; serve at the ball, do well then be well on my merry way out of the Silver Moon Pack. I dreamt of finally being free, being able to draw in breaths of air without worrying I would be punished for acting out of term. The Crescent Springs pack was always the final destination on my list. They were one of the best packs, the wealthy and very respected pack was ruled by Alpha Kimberly. She was a feared warrior who reigned with respect and fairness. Everyone loved her and her legacy spread across the world. I was certain, no. I was positive, I would be granted a place in her pack upon arrival, but before I could I had to find a way out of my current situation.

I pulled my knees close to my chest, wrapping my hands around my legs. The king was the exact opposite of what everyone speculated him to be. He was meant to be harsh, wicked, cruel and ruthless but he was none of those things. He had been the nicest person I'd ever encountered.

Maybe if I remain on my best behavior he could help me get into Alpha Kimberly's pack, I thought. It wouldn't be a bad idea.

The heavy sway of the room door brought me out of my reverie. My gaze flickered to his approaching form as he sauntered in, taking up all the space in the room. Something about his presence was always so overwhelming and consuming. Wherever he stood he commanded the attention of others. I could feel how powerful he was and the fact that such a powerful man was standing in my presence had not yet registered in my mind. I sharply rise to my feet, keeping my eyes trained on the King. His dark gaze seemed to burn into my skin as they followed my every move. I fisted the smooth material of my night dress, feeling unusually nervous under his eyes.

"Y-your highness, good evening" I greeted meekly, my gaze fixated on his dark maroon robe.

"Evening Audrey dear. Sorry to have kept you waiting love but I had certain matters that demanded my attention" he explained, giving me more information that I deemed myself worthy to know. "If you don't mind taking a walk with me there is much to discuss" his hand held out he stared at me longingly, his tranquil pleads pulled me in so deep I found myself slowly nodding as I slipped my hand into his hesitantly. I gave him a weary smile, despite the uneasy feeling that gnawed at my insides. The tingles that surged through my fingertips mixed with the look of pure adornment in his eyes had me taken aback for a second. My little hand in his large one.

Darius slowly nods, gently bringing me to walk beside him as we exit the room. Silence bounces off the walls, welcoming us into her embrace.

I nibbled on my lip, nervously stealing glances at his majesty.

Would he reject my request? Why would he even help me? It's not like I was anyone important.. Thoughts like that washed over the shores of my mind as we walked through parts of the castle I had never seen before. I didn't expect to stay here long or else I would have loved a tour of the beauty that was his castle.

I began noticing the walls getting narrower and the high roofs disappearing as we stumbled on more illuminated paths

"Your highness, where are y-you taking me?" I asked quietly, softly. I gazed up at him, his dark eyes staring down at my smaller form. His eyes held a glint of excitement and passion as he looked on.

"To the garden, Audrey" he answered simply, like it was something I should be used to, whereas the only garden I had ever come across was the Alpha's and I only spent time there under the pretense of prolonged chores and nothing else. Never once had I gone out of my own pleasure. "I heard you have a certain affinity for flowers" he spoke, looking back at me with a ghost of a smile playing on his sculpted features.

I blinked, dazed as I stared at the side of his head. His huge stature didn't allow my much smaller one to see beyond a certain lower angle but from here I could see the anticipation and enthusiasm clear as day on his face.

He knew I liked flowers? Was he really this kind to take interest in a worthless omega? Maybe he treats all his people like this, despite their status.

I permitted a small smile to overtake my lips at the hope that fluttered in my chest. In his infinite kindness the king assigned me a very comfortable chamber to stay in and nice people to keep me entertained, he even had his workers serve me. I couldn't help but wonder why people feared him so much, yes I hadn't been with him long enough to conclude on him but I could feel he was genuinely a nice person. All my life I had only ever had prominent encounters with cruel people who wanted nothing more than to see me in pain, crying or hurting, but the king had done none of those things and I would be rude not to appreciate his actions. But there was this dark part of him I knew he had deep down. Something dangerous flashed in his eyes when he got angry. Honestly I wish I would never see that side that I feared he had all this while. He had been so hospitable and I wanted nothing more than to no longer be a burden on anyone and leave as soon as I could. Bringing up my request seemed the best option, no matter how much I felt like staying quiet.

"Your highness" I called out to him, drawing his attention to me as he gazed into my eyes. I cleared my throat, looking forward at the gorgeous landscape we arrived at. "May I request something of you?" I asked.

"Of course Audrey"

"Um...t-there-" in awe I felt the words swim back into my throat. I stared breathlessly at the gorgeous greenery in front of me. We walked down marble steps, coming down to the grassy pasture. I gazed at the beautiful flowers that thrived radiantly in the cool evening frosts. My eyes caught something in the corner and I slowly walked to it, in a haze. I crouched down beside the lonely flower, its beauty stood out among all the rest. I let my eyes travel down the peculiar flower, its ever red petals glistened with falling snowflakes as they settled softly on each petal, their toichike a gentle kiss on my skin as I ran a finger through it.

I had never seen such a beautiful species before but from the blood red petals to the thorny dark stems I could tell it was a rose. The many books I had read depicted all this flower's splendor to be ethereal and beautiful but simple. Its harsh thorns did not allow it to be easily obtained, hence its scarce population. But that was what made it even more wanted and desired. The way the little flakes softly dropped to coat the flower had me staring in awe. Such beauty.

I felt a shiver run down my spine, the cold of the night creeping into my skin. The weather was beautiful but also deadly for me. Warmth snuggled around me, bringing me out of my dazed state. I looked up, brown eyes melting into a pair of dark onyx ones. I let my hands slide into the large hands of the coat he had draped around my shoulders, the coat was three sizes too big but I couldn't complain. I whispered a word of appreciation, a small smile tugging at his lips, stretching out his angular cheekbones.

"You were saying something Audrey?" He reminded me, smiling tenderly as I snapped out of his stare.

"Y-yes" I answered, standing to my full length beside the king. I turned to face him, keeping a reasonable distance between us, knowing of the strange sensations that rippled across my skin when we came in contact. "I wanted to say thank you" I said, watching as my visible breath lazily faded into the cold air. "You have been so nice to me when you didn't have to be" I managed to crack a smile, my chapped rosy red lips stretching out.

"Of course I did Audrey" he answered, taking a few steps closer to me. He towered over me effortlessly, his aura so great it had me taking a few steps back in return. "Audrey" he cooed gently, uttering my name so softly it tickled my insides.

Sugars. "Y-you're v-very kind" I managed to stutter. "If you don't mind, could you p-please do me a f-favor?" I asked, my tone light and endearing.

His smile broadened, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn't decipher as he stepped impossibly closer to me. "Of course love" he looked down at me, waiting for my reply.

"I-i know I am a handful and you have been a very n-nice person for letting me stay in your castle" I started, my eyes darting everywhere as I attempted to find the right words and not sound ungrateful.

"Nonsense Audrey" he dismissed almost immediately. "You are more than welcome here love"

I inhaled a sharp breath, my lungs burning with the cold air. He must have noticed my trembling as he gestured towards the door. "No. I-im fine" I lied. I needed to get this out. "If you don't mind your highness" immediately the words left my lips I noticed his eyes hardened, his body went stiff. "I was going to leave for the Crescent Springs pack the day you brought me here. You're the king and I want to ask if you could please help me get there. You have been so nice and t-thank you so m-much but I have to leave"

A squeak burst out of my lips at his swift sudden movements. He pulled me to his body, his calloused hands going to wrap round my petite frame, holding me firm to his hard chest.