The punishment.

Catherine's POV 

“I wasn't aware the Lycan King traveled,” I grumbled, trying to get out of bed. “He had those men pick me up in a hurry while he wasn't home. Then he can wait until I've had a good breakfast!” 

Mia gasped, shaking her head so fast, I almost thought she would have a seizure.  

“No, please, Luna,” 

“I am not your Luna!” I yelled, shoving her away from me. “I am Catherine Lionheart! And if I want to eat breakfast, he can wait!” 

Mia dropped to her knees, rubbing her hands, begging. Her eyes were clouded with tears. “Please, please, Miss. You have to see the King in an hour,” 

“It's my choice to go, Mia-”

“I'll be punished!* She cried, grabbing my night robe. “I'll be punished. I was just punished two days ago when you wandered round the castle, I don't want to get punished again!” 

My eyes widened as she sobbed at my feet. I leaned down, cupping her face in my hands. “Hey, it's okay. What do you mean by punishment?” 

“It doesn't matter,” She replied. “Please, my life depends on your compliance. Please Luna.” 

My chest tightened. I had hoped the rumors about the Lycan King weren't true. I had hoped that he would turn out to be a kind man, misunderstood by the public, by everyone on the continent.  

I was foolish. He wasn't that way. With the way Mia currently begged at my feet, he was every bit as monstrous as everyone described him.  

“Fine!” I grumbled. “I'll go. But I'll also give him a piece of my mind.” 

While in the shower, I tried to recall how I had landed in bed. Mia had mentioned that I wandered round the castle. I couldn't remember it. The last thing I recalled doing was walking into the bathroom.  

And yet it felt like a pretty big chunk of my memory was missing. 

Why was I asleep for two whole days? Why was my memory fuzzy? 

Mia helped me get dressed, rolling out a rather impressive red dress. I had to admit it was beautiful. By the time she was done, my blonde hair was tied up in a high bun, some mascara and kohl had my blue eyes popping.  

I followed her out the door as she led me down a flight of stairs and towards the throne room. 

I tried to keep the stoic look on my face, tried to ignore the nervous flutters in my belly. I clasped my hands together, trying to stop them from trembling so much. I was going before the monster.  

We approached the doors, guarded fiercely by four guards. 

I almost snickered. If the Lycan King was the monster he was feared to be, why did he need guards? If anything, people needed guards from him. 

Two courtiers dragged open the doors that led to the throne room and Mia stepped aside. I took a deep breath and walked in.  

Then halted when my breath seized.  

The most beautiful man I had ever seen, sat on the throne. He was huge. He filled out the large throne he sat on nicely. He had a simple shirt and jean trousers on, but they clung to his muscles in a way that had my lower belly stirring.  

Long brown hair fell in cascades around his face. Brown eyes stared at me warmly, watching me with rapt attention as I watched him. This was the Lycan King? This beautiful specimen of a man whose eyes reminded me of sweet caramel toffees?

I blushed, cheeks filling with color, when I realized I was staring.  

“Your Majesty,” Damon's cold arid voice filled my ears and there was that smell.  

Sandalwood.  

He stood beside the Lycan King's throne, gesturing at me.  

“Behold, your bride. Camille Lionheart,” 

My brows snapped at the name. “It's Catherine,” 

“Does it matter?” Damon scoffed, folding his arms. “You're Lionheart all the same-”

“Silence,” 

He hadn't yelled. The Lycan King had spoken as if he were mumbling. Yet my back went ramrod straight. And so did Damon. For the first time the messenger didn't look like the arrogant know it all he had proved himself to be.  

So this was the power of the Lycan King.  

His aura was commanding. I could feel those powerful eyes stroke my skin, as if assessing the goods he had purchased. I hated being under his scrutiny. I hated that I was weak.  

An image of a fang tattoo flashed through my head and I cleared my throat.  

“Do you have something you wish to say?” The Lycan King asked, his voice hard and raspy. It washed over my skin, caressing parts of me that were intimate.  

I wanted to ask a question. I couldn't remember what it was. So I stuck with Mia's words. 

“What punishment did you give my maid?” 

He frowned, as if he didn't understand what I had said, then looked at Damon, who shrugged.  

“I have no idea what she's talking about,”

“My maid is traumatized-”

“Of what importance is this maid to you?” He asked, leaning his head to the side as he took me in. “You just met her, didn't you?” 

“True,” I scoffed. “But it is crazy that she gets punished for something she did not do.” 

There was an immediate shift in the air. The king who had looked so laid back, suddenly stood up, glaring at me.  

“Never use that word with me!” 

I wanted to yell. To scream at him that he had treated Mia unjustly and I had no idea what word he was referring to.  

But my wolf whimpered, holding me back. Wait a minute, my wolf? Hadn't she been dormant for a long time? I still could not communicate clearly with her, but I could feel her. I could feel her anxiety at the Lycan king's anger.  

“I apologize,” I replied, gritting my teeth.  

Someone cleared their throat and a small diminutive man I hadn't noticed before, dressed in priestly robes, stepped up beside Damon. He bowed before speaking.  

“Your Majesty, The arrangements for the mating ritual, has been concluded.” 

“We’re to be mated?” I gasped in horror.