Chapter 30 Take Evyths back
Questions hung in their minds like a blade cutting through veins.
Was that Evyths? Was it truly her? Why was she dressed so beautifully? Had she been changed into a vampire? What was she?
The werewolves asked a dozen questions, all left unanswered.
Valerio turned to her, his soft gaze unhidden and unpretended.
Everyone saw that the prince openly had a soft spot for her.
“I did send for you,” he began calmly, as if he were not the roaring lion before she stepped in. “Your pack members have come, especially your Alpha King. It is only courteous to… honor his presence. He remains your king—”
“I do not want to—”
“That is not your choice to make. It is an order! Greet your king…” Valerio ordered, interrupting her defiant refusal.
The memory of being handed over to the vampires as proof of their treaty dropped into her mind. She was forced to live with it.
Evyths forced her gaze away from the Prince, her feet barely finding their strength.
All that rang in her heart was anger and vengeance, staring at the very werewolf who had made her life a living hell. Alpha Ryker.
“Greetings, your... Majesty!” Evyths finally said to the Alpha King, averting her gaze from his searching one.
“Hm!” was all the King let out.
A stark reminder of their hatred for her, especially since she was merely an omega.
Evyths shifted her gaze to the Alpha King’s son, Ryker, and Selena.
Not even a word sat on the tip of her tongue. She did not want to speak.
When Selena attempted to speak, Valerio instantly interrupted.
“Enough!” he ordered authoritatively. “You have seen her. You can tell that she is well-fed and kept. Drag your paws and leave…” he stated.
When Evyths turned to leave them, Alpha Ryker grabbed Evyths by the wrist.
His action triggered Valerio. He appeared right in front of Ryker, snatching Evyths’ hand away from him.
At the same time, Valerio clenched his fist, strangling Ryker without physical contact, as if draining the life out of him, not minding whether his actions were questionable or suspicious.
“I will not repeat myself, pup! Defy my words again, and you plead war…” The Prince warned fiercely, his words bleeding with anger and fury, hinting at danger.
Evyths whimpered in fear. She did not expect the turn of events.
The werewolves stood in position to attack, as did the Vampires, when Alpha King Leon interjected.
“Stand down,” he told his subjects, shifting his gaze to Valerio. “Pardon my subjects. They are… hot-headed…”
“Vance? Lead them out of the palace until their feet leave no prints,” Valerio turned on his heel to leave, taking Evyths with him.
“Prince Belmont, we bring news to your captive. A prophecy from our moon goddess.” The Alpha King’s son voiced out, halting the Vampires’ light steps.
Evyths and Valerio stared at each other unconsciously as Evyths gently spun toward the Alpha King, shock lacing her expression.
Chaos and uncertainty flowed through her gaze.
The moon goddess had never communicated with her, no matter how hard she tried, and now there was a prophecy? Evyths’ mind rattled in silence.
“It is important that we speak with her, or a curse suffices if the matter is neglected,” the Alpha King added without contempt, as Octavio, for the first time, spoke calmly. His sleek voice gently chimed in.
“A prophecy from your moon goddess cannot be ignored, my Prince. Let us give them time—an hour or two at most, but… they must discuss our fortified walls.”
Valerio consented with a slight, invisible nod as the Alpha King quickly interjected.
“I must decline for the sake of my king’s safety. Bats cannot be trusted. Besides, the captive is ours—”
“She is only yours after the treaty’s duration is over. She remains a property of Ravenvroft and you will abide by our laws. Or, drag yourselves out. Let the Alpha King decide your fate.” Valerio stated coldly yet his tone carried fierceness and directness.
Valerio exuded the power that even Alpha Ryker loathed. After almost taking his life earlier, he knew better than to cause a war.
“I agree to your terms. We are in your territory unannounced and so… we would respect your laws,” the alpha king said, his expression turned firmer.
“Of course!” Valerio said as he gaped at Evyths who was clearly against the idea of speaking with the pack.
Valerio shot her an approving gaze as he strutted away with the rest of the vampires, leaving behind Evyths and the other werewolves.
…
When the vampires were totally out of sight, Octavio approached Valerio who was headed to the war room to attend to the pressing matter that Vance had tried to explain to him earlier.
“Where is the commander?” Valerio asked the officials with him.
“He will be here with the map leading to East Demklov,” Vance said and Valerio gave a nod as they all gathered round, muttering between each other.
Octavio leaned beside Valerio, “A word?” he asked. His calmness was a bit unusual to Valerio. He knew his best friend, he was a man of many words and now, he barely said anything
“We are left behind, Octavio. There is no time to mourn the dead—”
“It is not about mourning the dead.” Octavio interrupted the ptomce, his gaze was sharp and somewhat pensive. “Let us talk outside,” He pressed, walking out of the war room as the prince followed suit.
Once they stood outside the war room, Valerio crossed his arms, his muscles clenching into big chunks that popped out.
“What now, Octavio?”
Octavio gave a tight smirk behind a menacing expression.
“Lightning struck in the daytime. That is a bad omen,”
“Quite. What do you see?” asked Valerio offhandedly. Valerio could tell what his friend was about to say, he sensed the look in his eyes and how he looked at him and Evyths.
“An abomination, your highness…” Octavio snapped. “We both know that it is not about the hunters making their first move. It is about you and the hound,”
Valerio huffed, “What about it?” he snapped back.
“I suspect that you have lain with her and—”
“Octavio, I see that you have been lurking longer than you should have. Should I be worried? There are more pressing matters to discuss than discussing the hound!” Valerio blurted out with a straight face, turning to leave and Octavio interjected instantly.
“If my suspicions are correct, you have brought upon us a curse,” Octavio said behind gritted teeth, his jaw tightened. “I thought that you were noble? You swore to leave the hound untouched—you even tossed me away from her but I see that your selfish desires have defied Ravencroft. If you claim that you have honor, why choose the hound?” Octavio boldly asked with no ounce of fear in his tone. Valerio remained still without a word.
After some seconds, Valerio scoffed, shooting Octavio a daring gaze that represented a warning.
Valerio said nothing but walked back into the war room, leaving Octavio oblivious.
…
Meanwhile,
The ballroom was silent except for the heartbeats of the werewolves that sounded louder than a thud.
Only the Alpha King was seated. Evyths stared at each of them with thoughts behind them.
The Alpha’s son looked curious, obviously, he had lots to say. Knowing that she was an omega only stood as a barrier between them.
For Selena, she could not believe her eyes. The girl she had once stepped on had effortlessly gained the vampire prince’s favor. She thought that she would see Evyths in rags or in a horse’s stable or probably dead but her beauty, her clothes, and her body were quite the opposite.
Evyths was different.
To Ryker, he was left speechless. Evyths was certainly not the girl he spat on.
One thing stood out, baffling all four of them; Evyths transformed when it wasn't a full moon.
“The moon goddess has opened our eyes, we have been ignorant and blind. The one we have rejected holds our fates in her hand. How ironic,” the alpha king’s words were more of mockery than the truth.
“My king,” Evyths bowed her head, averting the king’s gaze. “How do you mean?” she asked.
“You have been chosen by the goddess to save our packs,” he said.
“How?”
“We do not know.” he snapped, drumming his fingernails on the red bark table.
“Moments ago, you transformed before the vampires—your enemies and remained still. Have you forgotten our ordinances? Have they bewitched you to do their bidding?” the alpha king questioned but Evyths said nothing to him. “You have value to us than them. No matter how long they keep you, it is only for a while. Vampires are cunning and manipulative, they exploit and destroy. But, with your pack, you hold something honorable. The goddess has destined you to serve your kingdom, will you deny your service or let these… blood sucking demons drink you dry?” he paused, his sharp words stung Evyths. She hung between the balance of bad and ugly.
“Your ma- majesty! There's an existing treaty. If you take me with you, that is breaching the treaty and it would lead to war—”
Ryker’s hysterical laughter interjected.
“Were they that generous to teach you so much about politics? I remember vividly that you could not recognize a sentence let alone a word…” he said.
“Perhaps she is going on a secret fang,” The alpha king’s son mocked as well.
“Well? Look deeper into yourself, what is your service to our kingdom?” he asked as her eyes met his, swallowing hard.
It did not sound like an honest question it sounded like a command.
One thing was clear to Evyths, no matter what she was or who she was to them, she would never be regarded with value. To them, she was merely a footstool to trample on.
“I do not know what I am. I have not seen a thing—”
“You would never see a thing with that… sheer dress you have on.” Selena swiftly interrupted, her hefbreathy voice echoed in Evyths’ ear. Loud and familiar. “You live with bats, adorned with pins to make you feel like a neatly heated turkey. The prince’s enchantments cloud your thoughts. Tell us, how can you see a thing?” Selena asked.
“Does it bother you?” Evyths asked, her brows crumpling lightly.
Selena chuckled dryly. “Bother me? I would rather eat shit than let these fantasies bother me,” her eyes rolled, crossing her arms defiantly.
“Enough!” The Alpha king interjected firmly as the hall fell into silence again. His grey gaze shifted back to Evyths again. “If you have not found or seen anything yet? We will make that happen,” the king vowed and the others let out a sinister smile that alarmed Evyths.
She could feel their wrath. Their anger. Their desperation. Like always, they did not have pure intentions.
“Bid the prince farewell. At least, for his hospitality. You are leaving with us, you must perform the duties that the goddess has asked of you in our kingdom.” he ordered, leaving no room for objections.
Evyths’ chest clutched, her lids fluttered in confusion.
“I-” the rest of her words hung. Her silence stood like a tower, consenting to the king’s demands whether she agreed or not.
When the Alpha King and his son went aside to talk, Selena turned to Ryler whom she caught staring at Evyths.
Selena hit Ryker angrily, her disappointment was palpable.
“You fucking shit, have you finally realized that she is the one you want?!” Selena barked at him, angrily walking away.
Evyths walked off with a frown on her face. The Alpha King’s sudden decision to take her away damned her.
Not that she was treated any better in Ravencroft but she could not leave the prince either.
To her, he had been kind to her and her people were stirring up a war since the treaty was not yet over.
The werewolves were clearly breaching the treaty they swore not to.
Turning to her right where she busted into a hallway that also led to the war room, Evyths’ heart hung heavily in her chest.
The crisp smell of oak leaves and sand swept her nostrils, the air mixed with tension and dust.
Nothing made sense. Nothing at all.
If the goddess truly chose her as her servant, why did she let the werewolves torture her and the vampires trample on her? Evyths thought all through.
“If you care, say something!” Evyths stated under her breath, stifling her screams.
Suddenly, she heard fast footsteps racing towards her. It was any of the vampires given that their steps were extremely light and mostly unnoticeable.
“Evyths?” she heard Alpha Ryker’s voice strike the silence, his familiar deep voice echoed in the hallway as she stood still.
She rubbed her face across swiftly as she spun to face him, braving herself.
“What do you want?” she asked, her shaky tone was firm and decisive.
Ryker drew closer, baffled by her resilience. She used to be slow with words, timid with actions and now she dared to question him.
He closed the distance between them, staring at her with a condescending look.
“What do I want?” he reiterated. “You look… refined. What has the morgue offered to you? Worms? Blood? Frost?” his mocking tone sharpened.
“I have to meet the prince,” she snapped turning to leave as Ryker grabbed her arm tightly. Her gaze split between his fingers and his dreadful eyes. “You do not want to do that if I were you,” she barked at him.
He chuckled dryly. “Why? Is he coming to save you? Or… are you going to show me that… pretty little wolf you hid inside you?”
Evyths snatched her arm from him, straightening herself.
His warm fingers trailed her arm up to her collarbone while she tried to keep still. “No matter who you are or what you are, you cannot escape my grip. You will always be mine!” he whispered in her ear, she caught the familiar smell of sandalwood.
He was the same. The evil charisma. The deadly eyes. His venomous words.
Everything he did reminded her of his cruelty.
“We have nothing in common, Alpha Ryker. Our fates have long been depleted and it was better that you move on. Stay away from me,” Evyths warned even if he laughed it off like a maniac.
“So much guts for an omega like you. That always gets you in deep trouble, Evyths! You keep too much…” he snapped at her, waving his fingers dismissively.
She strutted away, fastening her steps to avoid his rants.
“You will always be my prey!” his words lingered in the hallway while she walked, ignoring all he had to say.
When Evyths reached the war room, she saw Vance talking to the guard in front of the door.
She ran towards them, begging the soldier to speak with Prince Valerio but Vance’s words were clear, it was a no.
However, Valerio and the others heard noises, forcing the meeting to halt. When Valerio stepped out of the war room, Evyths instantly bent respectfully, averting her wet gaze.
“I have come to bid farewell and thank you for your generosity. My king has demanded that I follow my pack back to Davendale to offer my service to the kingdom. It is the goddess’s wish,” Evyths managed to speak, her courage withered and her wet gaze betrayed her strength.
Valerio did not believe his ears. To him, the werewolves were trying so hard to cause division and start a war for something he believed was a selfish reason.
“Just that?” Valerio asked her, his yo be was sharp and firm. His blank expression barely stated whether he was sad or excited or angry.
Just like the castle’s atmosphere, he was cold.
Valerio walked away from Evyths without a word while she struggled to catch up until he was standing in the ballroom where the werewolves had gathered, waiting to take Evyths with them.
“We had a deal, you signed a treaty. Again and again, dogs prove themselves gullible over a bone…” Valerio let out, his baritone echoed within the hall. His fists were clenched tightly, his gaze darkened like clouds. The tension was palpable.
“Do not insult his majesty,” the alpha king’s son blurted out with vigor.
“Before you were born, I fucked your grandmother. Clearly, you are just a kid! Stay silent…” Valerio snapped as the alpha king groaned with fury while Valerio remained unfazed. The alpha king’s son remained silent, processing Valerio’s words that seemed cruel yet demeaning.
“We have to take the slave with us, she holds no value here. With or without her, the treaty isn't broken…” the alpha king stated.
Valerio smirked, “I see. A treaty remains a treaty and she... is a seal over it. I understand that you are ready to cancel the contract but I will not break my word. Until the duration is over, nothing of yours will be taken…”
“You want war?” The alpha king roared, his claws popped out, and he clawed his scepter more tightly.
“I would be glad to. I have nothing to lose here. You have your packs to lose, your regime to blame, and your downfall. Even the hunters and their hybrids will wipe your existence off the face of the earth with wolfbane. The very toxin you can't outrun…” Valerip reminded calmly. His smirk grew thicker, his gaze narrowed. “But… my decision remains firm. The werewolf remains my captive until that treaty is over and she willingly agrees to be freed,” he added as Ryker groaned furiously but his anger was pointless.
They did not stand a chance.
“Is it war or a peace treaty, King Leon? Decide your dogs’ fate!” Valerio snapped, relishing the defeat on their faces.