6. Death Is Near

AMANISA’S POV

Despite the darkness surrounding us, I wouldn't fail to recognize the place I landed twelve years ago or more appropriately, the place I crashed twelve years ago right after the portal transported me from Royal Hills.

I was upchucked here.

This same place was where I was found unconscious by the humans and they helped me to their healing center. A place they call the hospital. Twelve years was more than enough to get used to human terminologies but those years weren't enough to ease the ache in my heart.

I remembered how warrior Yuri, my father's trusted man, pushed me into the portal with an arrow on my back. I remembered how the magical portal swallowed me only to spit me out here on the highest ground of Hallow valley.

“Breath, Ama.”

Arla tried to make me calm my nerves as I was already hyperventilating. Kovan dropped me but held me to himself as my feet grew weaker by the second. It pained me that despite my determination to get revenge, I was acting so weak and pathetic.

Way to go, Amanisa.

“I understand that you have been bound from entering the Wereland and that you are terrified of going against that but I am here with you. You do not have to worry.”

Kovan mumetred to me. He seemed impatient some minutes ago but now he was whispering sweet nonsense to me as he held me close as if I was a priced possession of his. My heart fluttered.

“As long as you are mine, you will be fine.” He added. His long dark hair that I had enjoyed running my fingers through when he was buried within me, blended with the darkness around us but it could never compare to the darkness I carried.

“I’m alright. Thank you, Kovan.”

I gathered my dark thoughts and memories and inhaled the warm musky scent of the huge man who was still holding onto me. Even though I didn't plan to make him see me like this, it could work in my favor.

“Great because we are going home.” He stated.

It was a good thing that I didn't let him see me as weak when I negotiated with him. It was so good that he wasn't kidnapping me and that I would be walking into The Wereland as Royalty should.

It could have been worse.

“I can’t call that place my home. It’s more like a place I aim to ruin just like its occupant ruined my entire life.”

Saying that to the Lycan would have made him suspicious. So I simply kept quiet as he brought out a key that was a replica of the one I had. Kovan also had the key of Royals which was supposed to be owned by the ruling family.

“He has to be one of the trusted subjects of the ruling king. Even better.”

Rather than think about the possibility that the man I had sex with could be a relative of the ruling family… Maybe a prince… I presumed that he must have been bestowed with the key because he had an important business to carry out in the human world.

“What if you are the important business he had to carry out? Don't you think it is strange that he showed up at your workplace? Aren't you suspicious of the agreement he sealed with you? What if he is lying to you, Amanisa? Revenge had clouded your eyes and you have become blind to the obvious.”

Arla poured out her mind again.

“Even better, Arla. if he came for me then I should willingly go with him. He is a servant that had come to get his master. That would mean that the connection you perceived is nothing but a delusion. That would mean that I can easily get my revenge since his actions will be proof that Lycans haven't changed a bit-”

“I know you, Ama. You aren't searching for proof. I just don't know why you are following him and feeling attached-”

“Cut me some slack. I had sex for the first time. It would take some time to get my emotionless self back. I won't deny that my heart is fluttering but if this Lycan can make that happen, don't you think he might be the peace you have been clamoring for? I promise that I will spare him from my plans and keep him alive if he is a good one. So whatever happens between this Lycan and me, will be determined by his actions and intention towards me.”

I explained to my Lycan Spirit as we bickered.

Even though a lot remained unclear to me and most of the points I made in my argument were nothing but excuses, I was aware of the connection that the sex had built between the Lycan and me but I wouldn't let that steer me from my goals. I wouldn't let my dark heart start beating for a man that could be my end and the reason for my failure.

“Seems like you and your wolf are having a heated session. You must not want to return to the wereland. Don't worry, I’ll keep you by my side rather than send you to the pack you once belonged. You are mine after all.”

Kovan said with a gruff tone. I couldn't decipher if he was being affectionate or authoritative.

“Yes. I’m yours.”

That was my attempt at seducing him. He was not only my key to the Wereland, but he had also become my damn key to the heart of the ruling family. I was so going to use him till he became useless.

Kovan nodded before shifting his face from me. He swiped the key in the air three times just like Warrior Yuri had taught me twelve years ago. Watching him use the key also reminded me that he could be a warrior for the king since he was strong.

“Whatever he was, I have hit the jackpot and Royal Hills is doomed.” I said to myself.

The portal opened and unlike twelve years ago, I observed the entire process and I paid attention to every detail just in case I might have to use my Key someday. The portal was invisible but I could feel it as a strong wind blew around Kovan and me.

Kovan pulled me forward and I felt the gush of wind engulf me. The Lycan tried to pull me to his chest but I resisted because I wanted to focus on my environment and that wouldn't be possible if he wrapped his arms around my responsive body.

“I don't know what to categorize you as. Strong or weak?”

Kovan whispered but I heard him clearly despite the sound current around us. The pull of the portal became stronger and Kovan tightened his hold on my hand as we were transported to another realm that existed in the same world as that of the humans.

“I’m the devil incarnate that your parents must have warned you about.”

Again, I said that to myself as my eyes began to burn. Kovan told me to close my eyes because the portal has become stronger but I didn't listen. My eyes watered but I made sure I didn't blink or lose focus. Minutes later, I felt land beneath my feet again just as the world became clearer and visible again.

“You are back! I have been waiting for you, K-”

A man with a strongly built frame sprung forward and started talking just as the portal vanished or did Kovan Lock it just like he opened it? Anyways, the man soon stopped talking when he saw me and his eyes shifted to my joined hands with Kovan.

“Ardin. You shouldn't have waited for me.”

The voice and tone that reached my ears when Kovan responded to the new Lycan wasn't the same one that I had become comfortable with. He sounded even more authoritative and the Lycan before us bowed his head in respect and submission.

Who the hell was Kovan to command such respect?

“That's my duty to you, K-”

“You will be rewarded awesomely for your loyalty.” Kovan cut the Lycan he had been calling Ardin off.

“You brought a rogue from the human world?” Ardin asked rhetorically. He gave me a stare-down without hiding his disgust. He could go to hell for all I cared.

“Lead her to the servants' quarters while I get ready for the meeting-”

“Servants quarters? What are you talking about, Kovan?”

I quickly interposed. He has got to be kidding right?

“How dare you speak back! Who are you to interrupt the king's speech?”

Ardin was the one who responded, snapping at me and making my heart sink… at a rapid pace.

“The King? You are the king?”

I stuttered and snatched my hand from the Lycan that I willingly gave my body to. I should have known. Arla warned me, in fact. My breaths became short and harsh as I thought of how I had betrayed myself, my body, my parents, and my plans. Regret flooded me.

“You thought you were smart? I hope now you understand that I can do and undo whatever. I can kill you. I can make you a pet. A slave. A sex toy. Anything! You are in no position to make me give you my word.”

Kovan revealed with a voice that was just as dark as the darkness I carried within me. My legs almost gave up when it hit me that I had sex with a man that was closely related to those that killed my parents. Who knows? He might even be the killer. He might have been the one that caused me so much pain twelve years ago.

“I couldn't harm you in the human world because I didn't want to create unnecessary trouble but I can harm you and break you here if you misbehave. I’m the Lycan King and you are my woman. A woman I can use in any manner that pleases me.”

Kovan… his name might not even be Kovan. That must be a lie too.

I recalled how he said, “Accepted. You will become my woman”. He never meant it the way I interpreted it. He lied to me and made my right heart flutter. Those were sins to me and I wouldn't forgive him.

“King Archie. I’m afraid we have to leave the border. Your chosen mate and her family will arrive soon and we don't…”

I zoned out when Ardin mentioned the reality of the Lycan that fooled me. Not only was he not Kovan, but he was also the king. As if that wasn't enough, he had also chosen a mate. He fooled me and I fell into the trap.

“Look here, Amanisa. You might be strong but you can’t escape me or this realm and you know it. You have no choice. I will call for you when I need your services.”

The bastard added, rubbing salt o the wound he had created. He was addressing me as if I was a slut he would call on whenever he needed sexual release. He might have won but he had also reminded me of the reason I existed.

“He has messed with the wrong female.”

Arla whimpered. She also felt a connection. Even I did.

As the bastard king walked away from me leaving me in the dark with his man, Ardin, I didn't know if I should be resentful because he had sex with me or because he lied to me. I didn't know if the pain I felt was simply because I regretted having sex with him or because I hated the fact that I wouldn't own him as I had thought.

He has chosen a mate and it wasn't me.

The connection I denied earlier must have been one-sided. I was such a fool.

“Enter.” Ardin yelled after he dragged me to a location that I assumed was the servants' quarters.

The man seemed like a warrior. He was frustrated by the time he shoved me against a door. He hissed, opened the door, and pushed me into a room that was occupied by some sleeping bodies of weak werewolves.

“Your death is near.”

Ardin threatened me before he left me in the room but his threat had nothing on me. I was so sure I wasn't the one that would die.

“Their death is near.”

Even with a jumbled mind, I knew that for sure but I wasn't prepared to live the life that the bastard king threw me into.

I was so not prepared for it all. I thought I was fearless but I soon discovred that I should have been terrified... life was fast apparoching like a high current ocean and I was dropped in the middle of a strong wave, left to fight agsint it all alone.

This was the beginning of my wosrt days... I should have been terrified.