Chapter 21 Chapter 20
Alpha King Kieran.
"Y-yes your majesty." She quickly stuttered, immediately getting to work.
Turning around, I returned to my chambers, my heart heavy and still confused about the incident in the council room. Why did her wolf reach out to me the way that it did? What's going on?
I arrived at my chambers, reveling in the silence for a bit before walking to my table, grabbing another set of scrolls as I prepared for a new round of work. Soon the maids arrived with Evelyn and quickly set up a tent for her at a corner of the chambers, laying her in there. They also put some water and food with her herbs as well. Once I noticed they were through with their preparations, I dismissed them. They bowed their heads, walking out and closing the door behind them, leaving Evelyn alone with me.
I stared at the tent for a very long time, before walking towards, gazing at her through the thin linen that was placed around it as I watched her sleep. She was still restless, moving and turning, her eyelashes wet with tears, her lips trembling. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her, from the marks that marred her delicate skin. My wolf howled in agony, a relentless reminder of the pain she had endured.
Clutching my chest, I stepped away from her, panting heavily as my wolf clawed to the surface, blinded by rage and guilt. Gnashing my teeth in frustration, I resisted the shift, my human body paying the ultimate price of such fight. Exhausted, I crumbled to the floor, grabbing my forehead as tears sprang in my eyes. Breathing harshly, I gazed at my trembling hands, the weight of my decisions, my actions, crashing down upon me. What had I become?
What the hell was I doing?
Morticia.
Smashing a vase on the ground, I screamed, grabbing my hair as I tried to control my anger, my heart racing in my chest. What the hell? Although, I wasn't there, I had heard rumors about what went down in the Alpha kings meeting. It went like this, 'The Alpha Kings were busy with Evelyn as usual but Kieran had intervened, cutting it short and had taken Evelyn out of there.' Why? Why would he do such a thing? This is going to ruin my plans, Damnit! Needing clarifications for his actions, I decided to go see him. I left my chambers, heading straight to his.
The weight of anger and frustration settled deep within me as I made my way to his chambers. The events of the day gnawed at my insides, a bitter reminder of a battle I was slowly losing. I couldn't let this stand. Not when I had come so far, not when I had risked so much. I can't let it happen, I just can't.
My footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor, each stride fueling my determination to confront him, to demand answers. I had been the Alpha King's mistress for far too long to be treated with such indifference, such disregard for my wishes. The rumors whispered in the palace corridors about a newfound interest in a slave, though a former werewolf princess, only added to my fury.
Finally, I stood before the imposing doors to his chambers, the ornate carvings serving as a stark reminder of the power that resided within. I raised my hand and knocked firmly, three deliberate raps that echoed through the quiet hallway, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Enter," came his deep voice from the other side, a command that brooked no hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, my eyes immediately locking onto his figure. Alpha King Kieran sat in his opulent chair, a testament to his dominance, his eyes focused on a map spread across his desk. He looked every bit the powerful ruler, his aura radiating authority. For a moment, I stood frozen, contemplating my decisions.
"What do you want?" He asked, not even sparing me a glance. I gritted my teeth together in frustration before letting out a breath, forcing myself to be calm. This is the moment where I need to choose my words carefully.
"I heard what happened at the Alpha king's meeting. If I may ask, Your Majesty" I began, my voice laced with frustration, "I wanted to know why you interfered today. Why did you stop the act from happening." I stated, keeping my voice calm despite the anger raging inside of me.
"Am I supposed to answer that?" He asked after a while, not looking up at me.
"I would appreciate it if you did, your majesty. I do not understand why you would do something like this. It is unlike you." I added.
He glanced up, his piercing gaze meeting mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. Despite my anger, his presence had a way of unnerving me, of reminding me of the precarious balance I walked as his mistress.
"Why should I answer to you, Morticia?" he replied, his tone cool and collected. He didn't rise from his seat, didn't offer any indication that my question warranted his attention.
My anger flared, and I clenched my fists at my sides. How dare he dismiss me like this?
"Because," I hissed, my control slipping, "I deserve to know why you saved that slave from humiliation. She deserved it. It's the least she can do after killing your queen and pup."
The room grew tense, the air heavy with unspoken tension. Kieran's expression remained inscrutable, his eyes locked onto mine as if trying to discern my true intentions.
"Since when," he finally said, his voice low and dangerous, "did I start answering to you, Morticia?"
My heart sank at his response, realizing the depths of my miscalculation. I had pushed too far, too fast. But I couldn't back down now, not when my pride was at stake.
"I... I didn't mean to overstep," I stammered, attempting to salvage the situation. "I apologize for my outburst."
But it was too late. In the blink of an eye, he crossed the distance between us with a swiftness that left me breathless. His strong hand gripped my wrist, pinning it to the wall beside me, and I could feel the coldness of the stone against my skin. Almost immediately, his huge hands encircled my neck, cutting off my breath as he glowered at me.
"Apologies won't suffice, Morticia," he hissed, his eyes narrowing. "You forget your place."