Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Chapter 17

Hades entered the dungeon, putting on a grim expression. Days passed but this stubborn creature refused to transform himself. In the end, Cohen gave up trying and went straight to call the king. Today the king had a special event at night. Cohen didn't want to disturb him naturally but the decision was necessary. Keeping a wolf without knowing his identity was a danger, especially in Red Darkling where people waited greedily for the power of a king.

The sound of a metal door slamming echoed in the air. King Hades Lysander stepped inside in all his kingly aura and glared down at the beaten wolf. Yes, Axel was beaten until Cohen was tired, and his hands got burning pain from the chain. Still, he refused to show off his human face.

" So stubborn huh?", Hades growled, circling the lying blue wolf on the ground. Axel had to do everything to keep himself restrained. Hades was so close to his claws yet he couldn't do anything. Even if he managed to escape the dungeon after harming King Hades, Edwina was going to suffer for his own mistake.

" How did you turn into a blue wolf? I have never seen something like this before.", Hades continued talking, hissing in a suspicious voice. The consistent refusal from Axel was sparking more of his suspension.

Axel was a little scared this time. He wasn't mentally prepared to face these questions. Besides, shifting into this blue wolf was a repulsive decision.

How could he deceive a king like him?

Hades lost his last ounce of patience. He stepped on the wolf's leg, putting pressure to hear it howling in pain. Hades blurted through his gritted teeth,

" I command you, as the king of all werewolves, shift shifting front of me NOW!"

As a werewolf, it was impossible to deny a king's command. Hades's voice was laced with power, determination, and a chilling aura. Axel's wolf purred in fear, already hanging his head low to submit under his command. Right before he took the final decision to transform, a voice burst from the half-closed dungeon gate,

" NO!!!"

Everyone froze including Axel who was shocked to see Edwina at the doorway. Edwina stood there panting for breath. She had to rush here from her chamber as soon as she heard his howl of pain. As Axel's pack Alpha, Edwina had a strong connection with him. Hence, she easily detected that Axel was facing some harsh trials.

Hades turned himself around, his cold eyes narrowing at Edwina's unexpected reaction. Edwina quickly composed herself, knowing that she was exposed, and pleaded in a casual voice,

" Alpha, the past incident has already scared everyone. Please.. please don't go on harsh punishment with this wolf. Maybe, you can just interrogate him."

The air inside the dungeon had thickened all of a sudden. Naturally, no one believed Edwina's words since she rushed here. Reminding Princess Laura's advice, Edwina bowed her head longingly to add further,

" I..I am just not used to this kind of harsh treatment, My King!"

Hades's eyes almost gagged out of its coat in disbelief. Until today, Edwina had never called him 'her king'. But to be honest, his wolf was more than satisfied when she addressed him like an obedient peasant. Still, the doubts didn't go unclear from his mind.

Hades's lips curved up into a sly smirk. Approaching Edwina silently, he pinched her chin up to look straight into his eyes. Edwina gasped shortly after he held her chin tight. With all his might, she forced her heart to stay calm. Hades emphasized each one of his words very calmly,

" If you are lying in my face about this wolf, this wolf will die, Mistress Edwina."

Edwina didn't say anything. His hand that held her chin had outstretched his thumb, brushing over her quivering lips. It was rosy, so smooth and caressing that suddenly, he was feeling the urge to kiss it.

The intimate act didn't miss the attention of Beta Cohen who was shocked and embarrassed at the same time as his king was forgetting his place.

Edwina sucked a deep breath, feeling too vulnerable under his watchful eyes as if he could see through her lies. But to her surprise, Hades let go of her chin and ordered whipping his head back slightly,

" The trial is dismissed! We will see what we can do with this stubborn brat."

After that, Hades came out of the dungeon, dragging Edwina behind him all because he wasn't okay with the fact that she was caring for an unfamiliar creature. Something was very wrong with his emotions these days.

__________

In the blink of an eye, the night of the Moon Gala soon arrived, bringing a lot of rumors around the castle because Angelina wasn't attending this year.

Alpha Duncan made a dashing appearance inside the king's chamber and was even angrier when he saw Hades dressing up for the Gala. Duncan roared, storming inside the room,

" Hades, what am I hearing? You are taking that bitch with you, not Angelina?"

For the first time, Hades was offended by Duncan's behavior. He broke into his room like a madman now even questioning his simple decision to take Edwina with him.

Hades controlled his temper, walking on the dresser to put something on his wrist,

" Yes because Angelina lacks etiquette. I don't want to become a laughingstock in front of other kings. Besides, both of them hold similar positions in my castle. There is no difference in taking Danika or Angelina with me."

Duncan refused to hear anything from Hades. He did know very well that Moon Gala was one sort of public appearance as a queen. If Angelina couldn't make a remarkable impression on the peasants, it would be far more difficult for her in the future. Duncan roared, storming forward behind Hades,

" There is a difference, Hades. Angelina is your future queen. That Edwina is just your whore."

" ALPHA DUNCAN!", The room erupted with Hades's high piercing voice. His wolf took control in a snap of a moment. His eyes were glowing red in anger, representing the control of his inner wolf. Duncan was so shocked and terrified that he backed several feet away from Hades.

Hades's wolf growled, speaking in a low, guttural voice,

" YOU DO NOT DISRESPECT MY MISTRESS!"

Duncan gulped hard several times but couldn't open his lips anymore. Facing Hades's wolf was equal to facing death. Hence, he fled away like a frightened kitten without speaking anymore. Once, he was gone, Hades took control of his human emotions. He dropped onto the bed frustratingly, exhaling through his mouth. Later, he kicked the bed hard to hear it breaking.

Why can't he control himself when it comes to Edwina?

_______________

" You look like a goddess!", Princess Laura gasped, admiring the beauty sitting in front of her. Edwina was adorned with a sleeveless maroon gown, crystals glazing on it through the layer of semi-darkness. His lips, eyes, and face had all the makeup done by Laura today. Although Edwina refused to appear like a goddess, Laura insisted on doing makeup on her. But Edwina kept distracting herself since Axel wasn't out of the dungeon. She feared that Hades was going to find out his identity soon.

" Thanks, Princess!", Edwina thanked Laura, getting up to take a better look at her outfit. It was true to be told that she didn't wear such an expensive dress before. Most of her life was spent, training the warrior wolves or discussing politics with her pack members. At some point, she nearly forgot that she was a woman who had to wear these fancy clothes.

Laura chuckled, dropping the hairband aside,

" No worries! I have done nothing! You are just too pretty, Edwina."

Laura stepped outside after a guard informed her that someone had come to see her. After Edwina was left alone, she was restless because of Axel. She was lucky to save him today but what about the next time?

An idea crossed her mind. Tiptoeing to her cabinet, she brought out some papers and a pen to write down something. Then she came outside to find the new maid who was sharing the same room.

" I can't do this! The king will kill me if he finds out!", The maid named Flora was startled to hear that Edwina wanted her to send the letter into the dungeon. Edwina begged, squeezing her hands together,

" Flora, the king will be outside tonight. We don't know when we will return. Please do this for me. I promise that I won't ask anything from you ever."

Flora hesitated before nodding slyly. In her days with Edwina, she understood that Edwina was a good girl, trapped in the king's wrath. Thus, she pitied her and agreed to deliver the letter. But unfortunately, Edwina didn't know that a castle has no secrets even if the walls can hear your words.