1. SERAFINA

CHAPTER ONE

SERAFINA

      Dead silent, just like a graveyard. 

And the main reason for that choking silence was the thick tension that existed in this meeting room; the tension was so whole, you could almost slice it with a knife.  

The meeting was supposed to have started two hours ago, but they were waiting for the final guest to arrive. Nobody had said anything for the past two hours; they just sat on their seats and you could practically see it written all over their faces that they were trembling deeply within. 

    The Five Great Kings had gathered around for an impromptu meeting due to the never–ending attacks from the Lycans and Wolves. Ever since they got their freedom and were set free from the bondage chains of the humans, they've been getting back at us, hard and brutally.

Occasionally, their gazes would swivel to the empty chair at the table, the one reserved for whoever they were waiting for. With every look they took at that chair, you could see their apparent fright skyrocketing heights and you could feel the strangulating tension tripling.

And there was only one question on my mind…

Who the hell was this person who could nonchalantly keep five Great Kings waiting and have them shaking like a two-year-old about to take a needle shot while waiting for his arrival?

   I just sat there clueless. I didn't quite understand what I was doing here; meetings like this were discreet and highly reserved for ONLY The Five Great Kings. Even their first sons weren't allowed to be present. 

     But here I am, the princess of Alserafina, present at a meeting for powerful Kings. My father, the King of Alserafina, had mandated I come with him to this meeting for reasons he has strongly refused to disclose to me. 

   Curiosity took another deep bite into my flesh and I leaned in, whispering into my father's ear, "Father, why am I here again?" I was asking for the umpteenth time. 

It was the Lycan and wolves' third attack in two weeks. They would attack with the might of their cruelty and a lot of bloodsheds would follow. They would show no mercy, ruthlessly slaining the men and abducting the women and children as slaves. 

I was supposed to be back at the Kingdom, helping in whatever way I could by helping the victims of the last attack, which was just two days ago. 

My father looked at me, I could see all shades of worry creased on his forehead. "Not the time, Serafina. Please, be quiet." 

   I nodded and dismissed the subject. I was given a speech that lasted a million–and–one minute by my father on how I should be primly behaved at this gathering and not speak, at all, until I was asked to. Regardless, it's hard to keep your mouth shut when you're at a place you're not supposed to be at by all standings.

    My thoughts were driven to a complete halt when the sound of the door being opened had intercepted, and everyone's heads turned in that direction. The instant fear that gripped me was nearly crippling. 

I quickly acted in urgency and rose from my seat, about to sprint out of this room, jump out of the window, vanish, whatever it would take me to get away from what had just walked in through the door. 

It was one of them. They were here. 

Not only me, but the five Kings too had fear written in all its bold intimidated letters expressed on their faces. Despite that, they weren't running away for some reason, and neither did the soldiers in the room attack who just walked in. My father had even halted me, by grabbing my hand and sitting me down. 

   Saying he was huge wasn't accurately encompassing how big the man who just walked in was. I didn't need a soothsayer to reveal to me that he was a Lycan, a higher one than the Lycans that attacked us—they were brawny and big, but the man that just walked in was way larger. 

He looked beastly and dangerous, he had a ferocious glint in his eyes and a sinister scowl that made my nerves vibrate with sheer fright. 

He was in Royal regalia, accompanied by two of his soldiers. Advancing towards us with a thread that spoke dominating authority, the intimidation it caused was enough to make me tremble. I had never seen a man as large and menacing as he was, I gawked at him in awe and fright. 

What was even more confusing was that I found him oddly familiar. 

   The previous tension evaporated at his entrance, and a new chilly sensation took over, marring my skin with goosebumps. He gave no form of acknowledgement to the noblemen already seated and he just sat down on the reserved seat. 

    His cold gaze settled on me and I flinched, instantly panicking and feeling so small under his threading gaze. I swallowed down nothing in nervousness and felt my heartbeat thumping hard against my ribcage. Then, his eyes left me and he faced the King. I could feel my heart again, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. 

"I have no problem with ceasing our attacks on your people, provided the condition I had given in our last meeting has been met." The Lycan stated curtly. He didn't have to raise his voice, yet you could still feel hostility etched in his tone.  

    My brows furrowed, had the kings met with this Lycan before today? How come I'm just knowing about this? I turned to my father, he had his full attention invested in the Lycan and what he was saying so I looked away; I had so many questions to ask my father.

"Speaking on behalf of the Five Great Kingdoms, we have unanimously agreed to give you our riches. The five kingdoms would give you a large share of our wealth. Also, Alserafina is a natural resources treasure, we have so many rare diamonds and crystal stones worth a whole lot—they're priceless. You can have as many as you want, any you'd like." My father offered and the rest of the Kinga nodded, agreeing to it. 

"No. That wasn't the condition I laid out. Unless that is fulfilled, my people and I will continue to attack until the whole human race is wiped off." The Lycan sternly refuted and the Kings looked at each other, you could tell their apprehension had just increased. I've never seen my dad this restless and fidgety. 

    Again, the Lycan's eyes centered on me and it was like everything about me stopped momentarily. I froze. Then I started to melt within, the fiery appeal of his scrutinizing gaze seeped in and I was paralyzed with fear again. 

"Please. Please, I beg you. I don't think I can offer you what you want—" The Lycan now glared at my father and I saw how fright gripped him. Clearing his throat, he corrected, "What I mean is that, your condition is a really tough one to fulfill and I…I can't." I heard my father's voice crack at the end and he bowed his head down—it was his behavior whenever he didn't want us to see his weakness, he would simply hide his face. 

  I looked at the Lycan, what was it that he wanted that was far greater than the riches of the Five Great Kingdoms?

The silence returned for a moment, and when nothing was said, the Lycan got up from the seat and looked at each of us, his gaze lingered on me for much longer and then he spoke. 

"Since you all are adamant about fulfilling my requirements, I hope you have enough graveyards." The Lycan said tersely and I gasped, looking at my father again. 

"Dad, do something." I whispered to him. 

   My father looked up at me and said nothing, I could see a hard resolve forming in his eyes but I couldn't place what it was about. I was confused. He turned to the Lycan, who was already on his way out.

"Wait!" My father yelled and the Lycan paused. 

"What?" 

My father turned to look at me and exhaled in surrender, a downcast expression took over his features. 

"Serafina, I'm sorry. You won't be coming back home to the Kingdom with me. Instead, you'll be leaving…with him." 

My whole world crumbled.