ARTHUR Arthur bade farewell to Rah, and came back through the portal that Mila had kept open. “Took you long,” Mila smiled as she saw Arthur come back safely to her. “You had me worried for a while!” “Worried, why?” Arthur asked seriously. “It is midnight, who knows what lurks in the shadows in the middle of the night,” Mila smiled again. “Red wolves, perhaps?” Arthur muttered with raised eyebrows. He was curious before why Bash saw a red wolf in Mila’s head, but now he knew it was Mila’s wolf that Bash had seen. Mila’s wolf, a part of her being that she had been hiding since day one of their meeting. She knew how desperately Arthur wanted to know if she too was a wolf, for Bash’s sake, but she had hidden it, and why? Just because of a color? A color, the story behind which was a myth and superstition now? Mila’s smile disappeared suddenly at these words. The color drained from her face and she looked miserable. Arthur waited, hoping she would confess, but – “Red wolf?” Mila
MILA It felt to Mila that Arthur had not just slapped her, but he had slapped her repeatedly over the course of the conversation. Yes, he didn’t know that it was her, Mila, who was the red wolf, but still! How could he be so narrow-minded? How could he believe that Grace was an incarnation of devil himself? That Grace was the deadliest, most dangerous and darkest of all beings? “But he didn’t know about us,” Grace spoke. “If only you would tell him!” But how could Mila tell Arthur, especially now when she knew what he felt for red wolf? Yes, there were a lot of superstitions linked to her wolf, and he was right, every superstition has a base, has a reason, but how could he believe that so bluntly? In so many days, weeks, together, he never hinted he had a problem with old superstitions? “Bash saw me, Mila,” Grace admitted. “He was drawn to me, and I to him. Only I knew how I had controlled myself.” Mila shook her head at this. What was Arthur thinking, Mila needed to know. But
MILA As Mila lay beside Arthur, her heart pounded indecently. She could still feel him inside her head. Had their minds linked? “I don’t know,” Arthur panted beside her. He too was out of breath. “But whatever it was, it was incredible. If superficial sex is like this with you, I wonder what actual sex would be!” “He means ‘magical’ sex,” Grace guffawed in Mila’s head and Arthur’s head jerked in her direction. “What was that?” Arthur demanded. “Well, it was not superficial, it was ‘magical’,” Mila replied audibly, trying to mask Grace’s voice. Arthur stared at her with narrowed eyes and Mila knew what he was wondering. She could hear his thoughts loud and clear. Arthur closed his eyes and stopped thinking abruptly. Mila too stared at the roof and relaxed her breathing. As she deeply inhaled and exhaled, it felt like something was slipping out of her grip. As she controlled her emotions, as she detached herself from the moments she had been intimate with Arthur, the connection
ARTHURArthur knew this already. He knew all this already. He knew that Mila was a wolf, how else their minds would link. He also knew that Mila’s wolf, Grace, was a red wolf. He had been trying to get her to confess for the whole night. But then why, why oh why, was he shocked?He stared at her hand in disbelief, a part of him, mostly led by Bash, wanted to get ahead and touch her wolf’s side, but another part of him, that could hear his father’s dire warnings and that caretaker’s threats about how Sharpe clan wolves devour other Alpha’s sons whole, was not letting him step closer to her.A loud rap on the door brought them both to their senses.Mila shook her hand and it was back to her human self in front of Arthur’s eyes. He was impressed. He could never do partial transformation before. His father could, but he was the Alpha. And as far as he knew, only true alpha of the clan could do this. This power came with the spark that raised the normal wolf above all others.Still wonderi
ARTHUR & MILA Arthur and Mila stared at each for a long moment, where both minds had a lot of things running through. Arthur was worried about his people. Sharpe clan, though a legend, had been the deadliest of all clans. The monstrous acts that the alpha of Sharpe clan had committed in his time were legendary. It was because of him that werewolf population was limited in present time… How could he make a Sharpe woman his queen? Mila was worried about her future with Arthur. The look Arthur wore on his face said enough to Mila that she just crossed her legs and sat up straight. Her fears were real, and it didn’t matter what Arthur had promised her, what assurances he had given her with respect to his love, but Mila could see his faith dwindling. She could see fear in his eyes. She could see that now Arthur didn’t just look at her as his mate, but as the descendant of a devil housed clan! “Mila, I think –” Arthur started but Mila just shook her head. They both were naked, they both
MILA Mila stared at the spot where she had pushed Arthur moments ago. Arthur, her mate, her love, her source of happiness. She didn’t know if their parting happened on the right moment or not. What if they have had sex properly and then he had left her? What if she was pregnant with his child? At least then she would have had someone to call her own? But then the sting of betrayal would have been worst, like it was for her mother. But proper sex and mating would have allowed her to show her skin to the world. She could live properly. She could breathe freely without fearing that she was enchanting others! But then she would have heard all the thoughts that must be racing in Arthur’s mind. How must he be feeling? Angry? Hatred? Scared? Would she be able to hear such emotions? No, she could not. Especially not his hatred, it would have devastated her. She didn’t know for how long she sat in the water, staring at the same spot, but a loud knock on the bathroom chambers brought her back
ARTHUR Arthur stood rooted on the spot where the portal had just closed. And it was not only Mila who had vanished from front of his eyes, but she had also vanished from his senses. Suddenly, like in an instant, Arthur stopped feeling her presence and it felt like someone had stabbed him in his chest. A deep, impenetrable hollowness was engulfing him, like there was a massive hole in his heart, which could never be filled. Arthur’s eyes welled as he kept on staring at the spot. He swayed on his feet, and found a bed. A very uncomfortable bed upon which he had kissed Mila fully once. He suddenly realized he was in Mila’s hut. He had forgotten about it. “Mila,” Arthur called, “are you here, Mila?” he asked. But he knew it was all in vain. If Mila was even remotely closer, he would have sensed her. Arthur tried to reach out to Bash, but it was as if Bash had turned his back to him. Bash was furious. And he was right. Bash had not rejected his mate, it was Arthur who had made this de
ARTHUR “You have revoked your mate? Why would you even do such a thing?” Both Arthur and Rah jumped at these words. Arthur had no idea that his confession had an audience. Arthur and Rah whipped around and saw Arthur’s father was standing there, and he had the most confusing expressions on his face. Arthur couldn’t tell if he was angry, or if he was worried, or confused. “My lord,” Rah bowed deeply and sat on his knee to address the Alpha. “Leave us,” Arthur’s father ordered, and with another deep bow and a worried glance towards Arthur, Rah left the room, taking with him empty food tray and plates. “You have got yourself a good servant,” Arthur’s father commented as he saw Rah close the door. He then looked around and nodded. “Your chambers are clean and well maintained. All good traits of a good servant!” he appreciated. “Yes, Rah is good,” Arthur nodded, “and he is not just my servant, he is also my friend and confidant!” “I realized as much, given how you just confessed yo
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER “Oh, no… not again,” someone thumped the door. “Mom… dad… you are causing thunder again. What are you even doing?” Mila, who was pinned under Arthur, and was crying loudly as Arthur pounded himself hard inside her, bringing her to the precipice of bliss, did not respond. “Control yourself,” Arthur scolded Mila as he continued to move inside her. “I am about to come,” Mila cried. “Come for me, love,” Arthur too closed his eyes and moved violently, and Mila knew he too was about to find his release. “Mom… dad…” the pounding continued. “Don’t stop!” Mila cried, as her body quivered and Arthur felt her spasm as her orgasm hit her with full force. Arthur moved a few more times and fell on top of her. He knew Mila had climaxed, just went he did too. “When would you learn to not lose it,” Arthur scolded her as he wrapped a towel around his waist and walked up to the door. He removed the cushioning charm from the door and walls – which made the room sound proof – a
ARTHUR & MILAOnce Mila and Arthur were sure about the terms of the alliance, they called for the alphas - Canon Lapiz, David Keplins and Motif Rivera. David and Motif signed without even reading, well, they were under the control of Mila fully. But Canon read through the document and discussed every point in detail. Canon was not worried about his son, he knew that if Canon would survive these terms, his son, Martin Lapiz – fated mate of Chloe – would also survive the terms.“By the way,” Canon grinned as he signed, “this is very one sided. No where it is mentioned what kind of protection you would offer?”“I think she saved your kingdom from Shana, that is enough,” Arthur spoke gruffly.“She is yet to save us fully. Shana’s men are horrible, why else was able to control everything!” Canon pointed.Mila nodded and willed Shana to call for all her men from across the kingdom while Mila visited the dungeons where Canon wants the men to be held.“You have a roomy dungeon,” Mila sighed a
ARTHUR & MILA“Help me, and I swear my fealty to you, Mila – Daniels – Sharpe – Collins. Lapiz kingdom is yours,” Canon Lapiz’s voice boomed in the halls.“Eh!” Arthur spoke as he looked around, “Looks like you have some renovating to do,” he laughed.“With pleasure, Arthur,” and Canon extended a hand.Arthur did not take it though. He looked down at Mila and asked, “Are you okay?”Mila rubbed her neck and twisted it to gain some movement. “Wow! That collar is horrible. It was like I can register everything, think what to do, but then puff, the thoughts would erase from my mind.”“Whoever created this –” Arthur started.“Must be very stupid,” Mila nodded as she looked for the collar, but Rah was holding it.“I will keep it safe until you decide what to do with it,” Rah assured.Arthur and Mila nodded in unison.“Chloe, go back to your room and take your mate with you,” Arthur ordered. “David, you should go with her and discuss what you both want to do. We will support you in whatever
ARTHUR“And where are all the girls of your kingdom,” Mila demanded finally.Shana looked at Mila and without even blinking, without even taking her eyes off Mila, Shana jerked her head. Before anyone could react or even comprehend what had happened, a few men appeared at all sides, Arthur, Motif, David tried to fight them but they were suddenly overpowered, and a collar had been placed on Mila’s throat and her mouth was gagged and her arms were bound.“Enchantress,” Shana laughed as Mila’s eyes glazed over and her knees buckled. As Mila fell to the floor, Shana whooped with joy and literally jumped on her heels, clapping merrily. “A were enchantress,” she added as she walked up to Mila.Arthur tried to fight off the men but couldn’t. He felt ashamed. He was ambushed and he could not fight. His whole attention was at Mila and the anger that was rolling off her had him fully distracted.Now he was forced to submit because not one, but four men had spears pointed at Mila, and though he
ARTHUR & MILA “How would we know if it is time to go back,” Arthur asked as he twirled Mila’s red hair in between his fingers. “We cannot know here,” she laughed as she lay back in bed and stared up the sky. The peace and quiet of the moor was impeccable. “Oh, I could live here forever,” she groaned as she got up to get dressed. “Me too, I know you have your responsibility but I am sick and tired of worrying about others. I sometimes feel that I just want to worry about myself and my loved ones, that’s it. No people, no clan, no kingdom, just you, me and my father…” Arthur spoke as he didn’t even bother moving. “Where is it coming from?” Mila asked surprised. “You love your people,” she added. “You literally disowned me for your people.” “And I cannot apologize enough for that lapse of judgment,” Arthur spoke earnestly and Mila knew he meant it. “What changed,” Mila shook her head. “Why do you want to shirk your responsibilities now?” “Maybe it is because of my recent death expe
ARTHUR & MILA Arthur’s smile was the only thing that Mila needed to breathe properly. “Oh, Arthur,” Mila cried as she fell to his side and kissed him on his lips. “I love you,” Arthur spoke to Mila, “I love you so damn much!” Mila blinked as she pulled back. “Are you talking to me in my head?” Mila thought as she stared at Arthur. “I guess I am,” Arthur grinned broadly. “So, our minds are linked again!” Mila felt embarrassed as a very naughty image flashed in front of her eyes. “Yes, because I just saw that,” Arthur grinned as he sat back. Rah rushed to assist Arthur, but Arthur did not need any help. “How do you feel?” Rah asked Arthur seriously. Arthur stood up and spoke, “Different but quite good.” And he smiled. Mila’s heart swelled with happiness as she saw Arthur well and happy. Arthur stared at her with same affection. “Umm, why do I sense I am missing out on something,” Rah spoke tentatively as he stared at the pair. “Nothing,” Arthur grinned. “Tell me everythi
MILA Arthur’s eyes flicked open but they were blank. “Arthur,” Mila cried in shocked surprise and withdrew her hands from both Arthur’s body and the wisdom tree. At once, Arthur’s body – which was levitating in the air – fell back to the ground with a thud and his eyes closed again. “What just happened?” Raul Collins demanded as he rushed close to his head and touched Arthur’s face. “He is not awake, Mila, he is not awake.” “But why is still glowing?” Rah asked in alarm. Because Arthur’s entire body was still glowing a bright burning torch. “I don’t know,” Mila spoke, feeling scared now. “Osho, what is happening?” she looked at Osho in alarm. Osho too was looking shocked. It was as if something new for him too. And these expressions scared Mila more than anything else. “What is happening, Osho?” Mila demanded. “I don’t know, my queen,” Osho muttered. “But you are all knowing, you have seen the past, the present and the future,” Mila spoke in shock, “How do you not know!” Os
MILA “Can I go and visit Arthur?” Rah asked Mila tentatively. She was literally dragging her feet as he walked back to the kingdom. Mila nodded. “Where is he?” Rah asked expectantly. And without any explanation or answer, Mila slashed the air with her hand and they saw Arthur lying unconscious on his bed. “Son,” Raul Collins cried as he crossed the portal and hurried to his bed. Rah and Ajax followed. Mila started at Arthur’s limp form for a moment, then followed. As the portal closed behind her, she stared around. “Arthur, wake up son,” Raul Collins shook Arthur but it made no change in his condition. “He does not look hurt,” Ajax spoke softly. “Not superficially,” Mila spoke, stony faced. “I healed his wounds and cuts that Motif made, but I am unable to wake him up.” “Why is it?” Rah asked. “You can cure almost anything, why is it you cannot heal him?” “I don’t know,” Mila sniffed. It seemed like her entire being was dying with Arthur. “You must be devastated on the insid
MILA “Mila,” Rah spoke warningly. “War is not the answer to the problems!” “They all accompanied him here, didn’t they?” Mila roared. “They all jeer when he kills.” “Look at them, Mila, look at them,” Rah spoke imploringly. “Why don’t you check with them, if they really are loyal to Motif. You are supposed to unite all nine kingdoms, you are supposed to be their queen. Your first act cannot be annihilating them all.” “Mila,” Raul Collins spoke with a sad sigh. “Rah is right.” Mila glared up at Motif and though he was unconscious, he twitched mid air. “Incendi,” Mila whispered. “NOOOOO!” Rah screamed as he saw Motif’s flesh catch fire. Suddenly Motif was awake and was writhing and wailing in pain. Everyone retreated as flecks of fire rained down on them. Even Mila’s shirt caught fire but she did not wince. She was feeling the savage pleasure hearing Motif’s screams. “Mila, no!” Raul Collins spoke softly. “You are not a killer, Mila. Don’t go there. Arthur does not want you to