Zeidan followed the ruthless Alpha into the room, counting from one to ten several times to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.
Soon they were both sitting on chairs facing opposite each other, by the fireplace. From across the room, Zeidan could notice a wooden box which was obvious that people who are interrogated are made to stand in it. Asides that, the only thing he can make of the room is the high table where he was sure the Alpha of the packs would sit to pass his verdict.
"I have ways known you would come asking for help someday. You can't be the all-powerful forever!" Styx's voice jerked him back to focus.
He looked at the man before him and calmly replied.
"I have come to ask for your help, Styx," he rubbed his palms together, as he leaned forward.
"What is it you wish to ask for?" Styx leaned back in his chair, leg swung carelessly on the arm of the furniture.
"Zeidan?" He added.
"The...the Werecats, they're attacking us," Zeidan let it out but paused mid-air thinking of how best to say this.
"Go on."
"My men are less in number compared to yours and in terms of security, your army holds a great reputation for that. I ask that your men ally with mine so we can fight these Werecats and secure the long-lasting treasure that our fathers have bequeathed to me."
"When do you want my army?" That came out different from what Zeidan had expected. Shifting uncomfortably, he replied.
"In a month, as the Werecats have promised to attack anytime in two months."
"Two months?"
He nodded.
Styx narrowed his gaze. "I agree."
"Really?" He sat up, swallowing very hard.
Styx stood up and walked to the fireplace where a box was placed on the cabinet above it. He removed a sheet of paper and a stamp from it and went back to sit.
"All you need to do is sign an agreement on this piece of paper," he smiled slyly as he handed over the paper to the man before him.
Zeidan went through it and on the paper, the Alpha's scribbled writing sprawled on it.
"In honor to whatever deal is made, both parties are ordered to seal it by signing while the Alpha stamps it to finalize the deal."
"What's the condition?" Zeidan asked immediately knowing what the paper implies.
"I'll have possession of a quarter of the Onyx to improve the technology of the Werewolves. Under the law of this stamp, I'll have part of the treasure," he licked his lips as the younger man was beginning to get uncomfortable.
As less evil as the Werewolves may be compared to the Cats, he still cannot trust the Onyx to be in their possession.
"If that is what you want, I'm sorry, but you can't have it." He pretended to prolong the cooperation just as he had planned with Luana.
"So." Styx picked his words with caution as the Vampire King was beginning to rise. "You seem it wise to let your enemies defeat you and take over all of your possessions simply because you refused to give out something simple."
"It's not a simple jewelry!" Zeidan roared back but had to calm down as he exhaled, remembering the purpose of his visit.
Sitting back down, he faced Styx squarely.
"I propose something better. You'll have part of the Onyx but only till we defeat the Werecats. After the war, you must return the Onyx. To honor our alliance, I'll marry one of your daughters."
"Well, here's an addition to your lackadaisical proposition," he twitched his lips. "You'll do one more thing before I can release my army."
Dropping the basket full of her siblings' clothes on the grassy floor outside on the lawn, Lyne's thoughts wandered back to what had ensued between the strange man and her.
What is the man doing in the palace? Is he one of her Father's acquaintances? If so, she might be in big trouble. She bit her lips, her face looking worrisome.
"Hey!" She was startled by her annoying twenty-six years old brother, Charles. He is one of her biggest bullies and never ceases to remind her of how useless and irrelevant she is to the family.
His blonde hair sits beautifully on his head and although they're both not on good terms, Lyne will still give him credit for his good looks supported with green eyes and pink lips.
He was wearing his hunting attire and she wondered if he went hunting as a human, contrary to the rules of the pack or if he shifted from the hunting attires. But if that was so, the attires would be trashed by now because they always tear off. This is why wolves are urged to wear sheets or linens to cover their nakedness when shifting.
"What worries my beautiful sister?" He asked, tone indicating pure mockery.
"It's none of your business, Charles," she picked a blue sheet from the basket and clipped it to the lines where they always spread clothes.
"Just as spreading our clothes isn't any of your business. It's the work of the maids," Charles giggled annoyingly.
"But you all make me do it anyway," she shot at him before resuming her work.
"That's why you must tell me. It's none of my business but I gotta know anyways." He spread his hands as if awaiting a hug.
Lyne swallowed before giving in.
"I'm just wondering who that strange man is. Why is he here?"
"That I don't know. But I must say, he's not a friend to us but a foe. His people have caused more havoc than you can ever imagine. If you come across one while you're defenseless, they won't think twice before killing you."
"What?" Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how he threw an arrow at her. She could have been killed by a man whose looks she almost fell stupidly for.
"He is the King of the vampires."
"Lies!" Her eyes were now laced with tears.
"Oooh!" Charles whistled. "Is someone having feelings for an enemy? I've always known you're a freak."
"No, not that! He almost killed me, Charles!"
Her brother's eyes darkened and his fists were clenched for the first time. She saw her brother trying to stand up for her.
He turned and made his way towards the palace while she sat on the grass crying hard and wondering how she escaped from death narrowly.
She sniffled and rose, following her brother to see what he was up to but had to stop at the entrance behind him. They both stood there, eavesdropping on the King and Zeidan's conversation.
"I'm wondering why you want to marry any of my daughters." she heard her Father say to Zeidan who shot him a deadly look.
"That's because I'm cutting down on your interest," he replied tilting his head to the side.
Who will Father be giving out this time? Obviously as a prey. Her heart clutched hard and her breath held as she listened intently.
"Impressive!" Styx inquired.
There was silence for a while before he spoke up again.
"Who among my daughters are you taking? And I hope you do know she's the only partner you'll ever have. That's the vampire rules, I hear."
"Anyone of your daughters is fine by me."
Styx laughed heartily but his laughter sounded like poison and sounded more like a spear through her heart as she heard him mention her name. His eyes filled with delight as they gave unspoken words that showed he has now gotten what he wanted. The Onyx. However, he can only give to the Vampires someone who isn't worthy of staying with the Pack. Someone irrelevant.
"Lyne," he muttered and Charles turned to go, leaving her to her fate.
With her heart in her mouth, she slid her back down the wall and sat on the floor.
So as not to make noise, she bit her sleeve and sobbed hard.
What fate has for her with the Vampire king, she doesn't know yet, but she knew she will never forgive her family for leading her to the slaughter altar.
Later that night, Lyne barged into Styx's room, her face full of rage. She has had it up to the extreme and she felt it was time to stand up for herself.Her father was sitting on the edge of the bed going through a sheet of paper."Is this how much you hate me?" She yelled, attracting stares from the guards standing at the entrance."Get out from here!" Styx roared at them and they scurried away."What are you saying, my dear?" He turned towards Lyne who wasn't having any of his act.She crossed her arms over her chest. "The agreement between you and your guest was about what?""It's none of your business.""I don't think so. We are talking about my life here. You want to throw it all away for a piece of jewelry? You will hand me over to your worst enemy?" She was crying already. Her head pounding with a million unasked questions in her head."Is that it?""You both agreed to use me for your dirty games? You want me to get married to a vampire?!" She pointed towards the door, her eye
The light from the sun illuminated the room giving it a serene look perfect for having time alone. Music sounded distant in her ears and all she could see is darkness and emptiness.Inside her as she closed her eyes, oblivious of her surroundings. It felt like she was been thrown into a bottomless pit where she kept falling.Suddenly, a light emerged from the end and her face was lined with smiles. Finally, it was here. But why does it still feel like she's in the darkness?The song had begun to echo like it was a dirge made for someone and when she turned her head, she was whirled by what felt like the wind into another dimension where she stood in the middle of the forest. Her forehead was laced with beads of perspiration. The air was misty and her throat sore."Hello?" She managed to call but there was silence t first."Who's there?" She heard shuffling footsteps, almost like the owner was trying so hard to walk unnoticed or unheard."I know you're somewhere hiding! Whoever you are
A bright light emanated from the corridor, coupled with speckles of golden dust and smoke. After a while, it subsided and a man with a black hat and grey coat emerged. He removed his hat and entered the guest room where Zeidan kept his belongings.He moved to where he kept his boxes of clothes and started searching through them. After a long moment of cursing and moving about, hands on his waist, he sighed in despair."Where the hell did I keep this thing?" His frustrated voice held in hushed tones like a confused woman who doesn't know where she kept her baby.Lyne walked in carrying a basket full of trash. She was cleaning everywhere. He was startled."Mr. Wikh?" She called at the man who looked at her mischievously as if he had done something bad."Are you ok?"Dropping the basket, she searched around for the trash bin while Wikh stuttered looking for the right word to explain why he was searching for his master's bag."I was looking for my medicine," he managed to say."You're on
It was night already and Lyne lay on her bed sulking and sobbing softly. Her room gave off a feminine impression with the red and pink fabrics covering everywhere. Cosmetics and deodorants fill the dresser and a rack of beautiful dresses lay on a brown wooden rod placed above on the other side of the room. Candles surround everywhere giving the room a beautiful scent.On her bed, a big pink net covered the bed, leaving only a slight space open at the front. It made it look like she was under a tent.With her knees under her chin, she cried hard. She knew she would be a second choice yet again and she wasn't ready to dive into it again."Lyne?" She heard a deep but warm voice call. It was calming and assuring. She didn't get out of her bed. She didn't want to see his face for fear that she might forgive him instantly. His face was too good-looking.She sniffled."Are you okay?" She heard him call again. After a minute of silence, he spoke up."I was wondering if we could talk before th
It is almost morning and Luana stands at the gate that guards the vampire city. She was now wearing her fighting gear of black pants, boot heels, and a brown leather jacket. Her hair was worn up.Before her, several men stood with glowing cat eyes and fangs out. Their faces have the tribal identification Werecats are known with, stripes.She grabbed two long swords from her back, one on each hand, and swirled them."Let's say we strike a deal, cats. You get outta here and I'll spare your lives or we do this the hard way." Her mouth twitched and her eyes were expressionless giving out an air of confidence."The only deal we shall strike, Luana," she heard a voice call out from behind the men and her face looked frightened. He walked up to her front and tilted his hat like a cowboy. "Is about the treasure.""Shelbrooke?" Her voice was shaky as she saw the man with a deep-cut scar running diagonally across his face."Long time no see, my Lady." He smirked. "I've waited this day for a lon
Lyne looked up at Zeidan. She wasn't ready for the marriage yet as she hasn't fully prepared. Looking at her father with a plea in her eyes, she was shocked to hear him say so at such short notice.Styx raised a brow. "I was not aware you would be interested this much. You must want her badly."A flush colored Lyne's face, but then it occurred to her that all the wedding arrangements only fall on one reason, to get an army. "I don't even know how to prepare for this. I'm worried sick about this. How do I tell my people?" "You need not worry about a huge ceremony. I'll ensure I give her the best celebration once we get to Vampire city. What matters is I fulfill my part of the agreement." He gave her hand a slight squeeze. "My city is in trouble. Please, let me marry her tonight.""You have my consent." She could hear her siblings mumble behind her. Part of her was jumping in excitement as she would now be free from their teases and bullying. Zeidan observed her from the corner of his
The moon descended in its glorious form, and all other sky objects were beclouded. The jungle roared only with the melodious beats that follows the rhythm of Lyne's heart as she stared at herself in the mirror in the room where she sits to dress up.Outside on the lawn, the wedding ceremony is going on. By the right-hand side close to the palace, the royal siblings all sit in their beautiful clothing while their father sits on the throne, his face holding a sly smile like a fox that has just caught its prey.On the other side, some guards stood there, watching the whole activity. Beside them, the drummers sat. In the front of the palace itself, there is an entrance temporarily made, covered by a thick golden curtain that indicates where the bride will come in. While a red carpet of six feet length is spread in front of the entrance, Zeidan stands at the other end, expecting his bride. Beside him Akeila stands, holding a scroll in hand."We welcome you all to this glorious..." Akeila s
A sigh escaped Zeidan's lips as he stepped backward. His hand bled as he held the knife hardly by the tip and looked down at his new bride who looked ignorant of everything going on.Poor Lyne. He thought.Everyone has stopped walking around."What was that for?""What was what for? You kissed me." Lyne thought he was talking to her since his eyes are still locked with hers."I wonder how much freaky magic you can do." Charles' voice made Lyne turn towards him. "So many powers but you can't even fight your people."Lyne looked at Zeidan and her face caught blood dripping down his hands as he held it. That was when it dawned on her that Charles had thrown it at them while they were kissing. She covered her mouth in shock, tears rolling down her cheeks for two reasons. He just risked his life to save hers and he looked like he cared for her."You even had to settle for less all because you need an army to fight your little war. How cheap of you." Everyone including the Alpha is quiet,