5

KING DAKARAI’s POV

“What’s the situation?” I asked Nigel as he entered my office.

“They are unharmed and are downstairs”

“How many in total?”

“Sixty. One werewolf and ten half breeds”

“And the humans?”

“Mostly males this time. I’ve instructed Hilda. She’ll take the human women and give them rooms”

“And the men transporting them?”

“They attacked us viciously and we defended ourselves. None of them made it out alive” I growled at his words.

Yet again, we’ve allowed them to slip out of our fingers. This backyard trade of humans especially has been going on. Someone was selling them to the witches and it was unacceptable.

“The owners of lands in that area, have them questioned. Inform the cabinet, we’ll meet in a few days and be on the lookout for more wagons”

“Yes my king”

“You may leave” he bowed and walked out of the office.

I walked to my window overlooking the castle grounds, my head filled with thoughts.

This was the first time half breeds were rescued not to talk of a werewolf. They were getting bolder. How were they able to knock a werewolf out and who was behind this madness?

“Are you so worried you didn’t hear me come in?” Finnian breathed down my neck and I jerked in surprise. I didn’t even hear him come in.

“It’s bothersome. I need to put an end to it”

“And you will. Have you seen them?”

I turned around. “No. Have you?”

“No”

He was never interested in seeing them. He didn’t associate with humans. I was king and it was part of my responsibilities even though I hated them as well.

“I have a strong urge to” my head snapped up.

“You do?” He nodded, staring blankly at the wall.

“But I don’t want to. What if the urge to rip into one of them becomes too strong and I’m unable to handle it”

“Then don’t see them. I’m sure there’s nothing special to see”

He hummed. “I don’t know. Maybe I should. What’s the harm?”

He may lose control. That was the harm. I didn’t want him to lose control. He’ll be a completely different person for the next few days.

“You want me to come with you?” Maybe he wouldn’t lose control if I was with him.

“You will? You hate them more than I do”

“I’m still going to see them anyways. Let’s go” he walked ahead while I stayed behind him but close enough.

Only a handful of people were at the field when we arrived. Mostly men. I caught a whiff of a sweet smell. It was very faint but it awakened my wolf.

“My king” Hudson bowed as I arrived.

“King Dakarai” a girl rushed forward. She was a werewolf. Most likely the one that was rescued.

She reached out to touch me but I stepped back, bumping into Finn who was behind me now. He slowed down as we arrived at the field and it was clear his mind was somewhere else.

“She is the werewolf we rescued. She says her father is a member of your cabinet” Hudson explained. I arched a brow.

“Alpha Grant of the dark meadow pack in the south”

“And you were rescued in the west? That’s far from your home”

“I know… I can’t remember how I got there” she drew closer but Finn stopped her this time.

“Watch yourself” his voice was harsh and I hid a smile.

“That’s a common thing with all of them. They cannot remember where they were picked up from”

“Magic?”

“We can’t smell it on them. It may be something else”

“Find out what the fuck it is” two guards walked passed me and I got a whiff of that scent.

“Stop,” I said and turned around. A thin man was standing in the middle of the guards with his head bowed. The scent didn’t belong to him.

He must have come in contact with the owner of the scent.

“Who have you been with?” He looked confused.

“The scent you have on you”

“One of the girls,” he said simply. I nodded and they continued away.

“Is something wrong my king?”

“No. Find out everything you need to and report back to me”

“What happens to me, your majesty?” I had completely forgotten about the girl.

“Ummm…”

“Ashley. My name is Ashley” she smiled widely.

“Hudson, return Ashley to her father”

“No. Please”

“What?” I snapped, feeling impatient.

“I’ll like to stay here for some time. I think the castle will be a good place to learn”

“About?” Finn asked annoyed and I grabbed his arm. He needed to stay calm.

“Anything. I just…. It’s a wonderful place”

I rolled my eyes.

“Return to your father first. We can make arrangements for you to return in a few weeks”

“Yes, my king. Thank you so much”

I turned away, pulling Finn with me.

“You know she wants to fuck you right?”

“I have no interest in her”

“Good” I couldn’t help but laugh, ignoring Finn’s glare now directed at me. I found his possessiveness cute. But I had no interest in another. Just him.

“That scent….” He started but he trailed off.

“I thought I was the only one”

“I’m curious. I want to turn around and ignore it but I can’t. I’m going to where the women are”

“That’s a bad idea, Finn”

“I know that. But I can’t help it. I don’t know if you feel how I’m feeling. It’s like a burning force I can’t stop”

I didn’t feel it as strong as he did but that didn’t mean I wasn’t affected by the scent or curious.

“Let’s go”

“Where are the rescued women,” he asked the first guard we passed.

“Down the hall. Second door to the left” Finn thanked him and hurried down the hall while I followed him at a normal pace. When I arrived at the room, he was still standing at the door.

I stood behind him, our bodies touching and I stared into the room.

My eyes instantly landed on her.

“Mate” my wolf growled.