Chapter 2: Bodyguard

“Did you summon me to check my punctuality or to stop the enemy from breaching our walls?” she shot back, annoyance creeping beneath her skin. “When the distance between Vaelmont and Althara becomes shorter, let me know,”

The young alpha sat on a throne that was placed in a dais. He looked no older than twenty five to Maera with his handsome face— piercing blue eyes , pointed nose and beautifully shaped lips.

If only his personality was as endearing as his face, Naya, Maera’s wolf whispered to her.

The elders standing by his side shot each other a look and then they whispered. She could not hear what they were saying, but she knew it had to do with her outburst.

Maybe you should apologize.

Of course not, she said in her head. He started it.

He’s the king.

Right?

Maera pursed her lips together. “I received your letter this morning Alpha. How may I be of service to you?”

“You’re sharp mouthed,” he commented, assessing her lanky frame. To Theron, the young warrior was attractive with softer features than most men. Still, he knew that the warrior in his front was stronger than appearances.

“I apologize your majesty. Shall we get straight to business?”

An elder stepped forward and stretched his hands out to Maera. “Welcome to Althara, commander Cael. You’ve been spoken highly of. We were informed of the attack on Vaelmont that failed because you led. Your army in the district was well prepared.”

“I’m honoured. We had to act fast because of Vaelmont was breached, they will be able to attack the palace directly. Shall we get to business?”

“Would you not like to get some rest?” Theron raised his eyebrows at her. “Since the journey from Vaelmont was quite long.”

“I doubt the enemies surrounding us would wait for us,” Maera snorted. “There are men in battle— at the forefront. Your men are laying their life out, and the sooner we have a solid strategy, the sooner we win this war. If we waste more time, the lines would be pushed back and innocent civilians are the ones to suffer it. The other districts will suffer it, we’ve just managed to avert the crisis in a few of them.”

“As opposed to that, I’d like to make sure you’re thinking with a straight head,” he retorted sharply. “I mean, traveling long distances can mess with your brain.”

“There’s no need to be petty your majesty.” Maera’s lips curved upwards into a smile.

“Excuse me?”

“Commander Cael,” an elder interjected before she could respond. “The enemies have succeeded in killing the Alpha two days ago, they are pushing for us to surrender.”

“We cannot,” she said immediately, her eyes blazing.

“Of course not,” Theron rolled his eyes. “I am going into battle tomorrow. To take my father’s place, and to show them what they did is not enough to destabilized us— oh, and lest I forget, I shall be killing off their king.”

“You can’t let anger cloud your judgement. Be rational and have a plan before you attempt that.”

“Commander, you are here to follow Alpha Theron into battle,” elder Maverick announced stepping forward. “You will fight beside him, and protect him.”

“Oh?”

“Were you expecting something different?” Elder maverick questioned, lifting his brows.

“I was expecting to be needed for my war expertise. For strategy on formations and to lead the army… not to be… a body guard.”

Theron cleared his throat and stood up, walking towards her menancingly. He stopped only a foot away from her, and jabbed at her shoulders. “You will keep your snark remarks to yourself. And you will learn to respect me commander Cael.”

Maera didn’t respond. She only blinked at him, then the corners of her mouth lifted in amusement.

Was he threatening her?

“What snark remarks your majesty?” She asked sweetly, blinking at him.

He stared at Maera for a long while, his anger growing at the young man in his front. “I shall see you at the battle ground. A meal is waiting for you, after which we shall travel to the war tents. Tonight.”

“As you wish your majesty,” she said with a bow.

She watched him as he stormed out the door and then sighed.

Theron on the other hand was livid.

How dare he talk to him like he was a weakling?

He hated how everyone had been treating him like he was a soft and fragile boy who had no idea what he was doing. Maybe he was more angry because he really didn’t know what he was doing.

Theron marched towards the direction of his chambers. He ignored the maids who greeted him as he stepped in, pulling off the robe the has once belonged to his father.

“Bloody underworld,” he swore. He didn’t need a bodyguard as Cael had put it. But those stupid elders and thinking he wasn’t as strong as his father. Those stupid elders and thinking he wasn’t fully prepared to be in battle.

“We can’t have anything happen to you,” Elder maverick had said yesterday. “With no heir…”

The pressure on him was a lot.

Get a mate, get an heir and win the war.

He took a cold bath, sitting in the water for as long as he could until a maid informed him commander Cael was outside waiting.

Theron wanted to keep the proud cocky man as long as possible outside, but there was also no time to waste.

“Have my things been packed?” He asked her.

“Yes your majesty,” the maid said with a bow. “The stable boy has come to take them.”

He grunted in response and finished dressing up then stepped out. Commander Cael stood there looking lost in thoughts. She didn’t acknowledge Theron when she saw him, rather she turned her back and began walking.

“As my bodyguard,” he spat. “You should walk behind me and not ahead.”

“Danger doesn’t always come from the back,” she called out to him.

Dear goddess, is this who I have to share a tent with? Theron muttered to himself.

Seems like it. Riel his wolf whispered. He’s attractive. Good posture too.

Theron froze immediately, heat rising to his cheeks.

“Is there any problem?” Maera asked, stopping in her tracks as she realized he wasn’t following behind her anymore.

“Not at all. I don’t feel like riding tonight, I’ll rather take a walk… allow my wolf be free,” Theron suggested after minutes of awkward silence as they got to the stables.

“Feel free to go ahead. I shall ride on my horse behind you.”

“There are guards to take our—“

“What you want is not what I want alpha,” she said curtly.