Facing the Lycan King

Rhea is led into the main hall by the twins in complete silence. The long corridors have long arches at their sides, like a path through a garden of green grass and colorful, fragrant flowers, and her blue eyes search through every detail. From there, it's possible to see a small waterfall that falls from the mountains and makes a pond further on. Even though the Bestiary Continent is a place of dry land, this garden reminds her a bit of her home.

She shakes her head, putting aside those whining thoughts that insist on catching her off guard. Sooner, she's facing the huge double doors that are being opened for her passage. On the other side, an immense hall is displayed, and at the top of a platform made by a few steps, is a big black throne, which resembles the head and paws of a wolf. Sitting majestically on it, is Callisto.

Now properly dressed and cleaned of blood, he's wearing a long white coat with gold details. And even though Callisto doesn't look so savage anymore, his presence is still menacing… in fact, he looks even more dangerous… it's like those golden shoulder pads weigh more than they really do.

And now, Rhea feels that she is, indeed, facing the Lycan King.

Standing in front of the small steps, Rhea copies the reference the twins made, the traditional one of this Realm. Her head remains straight, but her body leans slightly, and her right hand goes to her chest, while the left lowers itself gracefully in the same rhythm as her body. She did it so perfectly that Callisto's yellow eyes sparkled slightly.

He attentively examines the clothes she's wearing. A top that covers her breasts and weaves down to her waist, along with a long skirt and a hoop belt. Her hands are covered by a long glove that goes down to her bracelets. Like all native women, she's wearing golden accessories, and a tiara on her forehead.

“I thought I told you to show me how you resemble humans… This is your first day in this land, and you already dare to contest the King?” Callisto's voice is serious, and sends shivers through the twins, who immediately flinch, and retreat at the same speed.

Rhea raises her eyes as she returns to her graceful posture, thinking if she just imagined the amused touch in his words.

“My clothes are too warm for the weather…. I'm sure the King wouldn't want me to melt to just fulfill his whims…”

Again, Callisto's eyes glisten, and a very discreet smile rises at the corner of his lips, “I didn't realize that my Luna is so fragile that she could melt from this heat?”

Rhea forces a nice smile, even if inside she's insulting him in many creative ways, “Yes, my King. I don't have much strength, so I'll have to disappoint you by not fulfilling your wish. Moreover, I'll have to be a nuisance, being that I'll need my own clothes.”

“I see you're very… comfortable… in these.” He points at her dismissively, even if the word comfortable isn't exactly what he wished to say — what he thought is that she looks simply irresistible, since the typical clothes of his kingdom show much more of her body.

Her body… That slim waist, the spine that juts out at her back…

Callisto swallows dryly and clears his throat, trying to get rid of these thoughts… What's happening to me?

“Unfortunately, I had to borrow them, since mine are unsuitable…” Rhea speaks carefully, noticing that Callisto's expression shuts slightly… Hadn't he noticed?

“I see… I thought it were familiar. Not only did you have the boldness to challenge the King of this land on your first day, but you also wear the clothes of this King's deceased sister?” Callisto taps his fingers on the back of the throne, causing his long fingernails to clink in that empty hall.

“I didn't imagine it would have a problem, seeing as I'm the King's Luna.”

Callisto stirs restlessly in the throne, feeling a knot in his stomach. Why is he so impatient, anyway? The way Rhea looks at him, so steady… her eyes don't tilt for a wink… He's not used to being stared at in such an uneasy way….

“Not yet.” He brings his restless hand up to his face, covering his mouth for a moment. His fingers rub the beard that's beginning to grow and already needs to be shaved, “Perhaps I'll return your head to the High Sanctity.”

Rhea feels a shiver run through her body, and her nostrils are filled with Callisto's pheromones that are clearly hostile… But why is that? Instead of being afraid or feeling repulsed…

She bites her lips, breathing deeply to ignore the heat that's consuming her body. This weather… she's just not used to the weather…

“If you could just get rid of me, my King, you wouldn't have accepted the state.” Rhea says confidently, holding her blue eyes to his.

Callisto sighs, stopping is pheromones — and that causes her to release a relieved breath, filling her lungs discreetly to its fullest.

“I would like to inform you that preparations for our ceremony have begun. It will take place in three days, and it will happen in this castle. Following our tradition, a folk festival will begin on this very day, and will last seven days, when the moon enters its new phases.”

“Are Bonding Ceremonies also celebrated here, in the Lycan Realm?” Rhea asks with sincere curiosity, and her eyes shine slightly, like a river bathed in sunshine.

“Probably not like in your land. We have our Bonding Ceremony, and whenever a King finds his mate, a festival is held for the Lycan people.” He explains, scratching his chin. “No need to worry… Most of the time, you won't need to do anything but watch.”

Rhea lowers her head and repeats the bow, “As you wish, my King.”

“By the way… I'll ask Skôll to bring the merchants so that you may choose what you wish…. It bothers me that my mate is wearing my late sister's clothes.” He grunts, then throws his head back, “Wait… How old are you?”

“Oh…” Rhea shrinks at the words of the sudden question, “I am twenty, my King.”

“Twenty? And you're wearing the clothes of a sixteen-year-old brat?” He looks at her intently, and his eyes glow again, intensely…. Rhea feels as if a shiver is running through every cell in her body. “Besides new clothes, it appears that I'll have to feed you better as well.”

Her cheeks redden slightly from the subjective tone, and her insides seem to heat up again. “I appreciate your care, my King.”

Callisto hides his smile behind his hand, “You may retire. I'll see you in three days, my Luna.”