CHAPTER FOUR

Opening my eyes to the flickers of candles that surrounded the room, everything felt soggy as I pushed myself to sit up on the bed; my head hurt.

The room seemed different, more spacious, and adorned with swords and dark furniture, and the bed was big enough to occupy the previous room I was assigned to. Trying to recall how I got here or whose room I was in, panic surged through my veins, and my hands flew to my face; I could still feel the pains slashing across my face, the last sound of his slap on my face.

“What kind of mate slaps his Luna on the first day, what kind of a beast is he?” my thoughts ran far and wild as I hurried myself up, just immediately, there was a soft knock...

I watched as the door creaked open and a maid stepped in, she looked like the one that had attended to me before, “must be my maid, I need to know whose room this is” My thoughts raced as I watched her approach quietly with a tray on her head, putting it down carefully, almost too perfectly. She strolled towards me with caution; how wonderful that was because everyone in this kingdom was already scary to me, but the worried expression on her face made me feel relaxed, at least she knew her mistress was in pain.

“My queen, thank goodness you’re awake,” she said slowly, her voice was soothing to hear, as she placed her hand gently on my shoulders almost making me forget the pain, her slender hands were tender as she asked again

“How are you feeling, my queen?”

My powers were already settled but I couldn’t understand this pain as my mind went back to the sharp pain, I felt from the Lycan’s slap, fear mixed with a quick impulse, I let out a scream before I could stop it

“Get away from me” I stood up swiftly, pushing back the blanket cover

My body felt different; quickly I rushed to the gigantic mirror behind the cupboard; the slap left a mark on my face; as big as his hands were, it was visible; my hands traced it down to my chin, trembling from the slap's retained pain under my fingertips. The sensation of his hand still burning against my face, and my skin feeling hot and swollen, but something strange started happening as I touched my face

My eyes turned greenish, as I felt a cool tingle of magic spread beneath my skin, the marks fading slowly, each of them, and just like a blink of an eye, the marks were gone, and pains were nowhere to be found

I hoped to scream and say this was not my doing, but I couldn’t, still I heard the screams, but they came from the maid, my maid shouted and wailed as she ran out of the room

“She is a witch, a deadly witch”

“Take her away, no I don’t want to die now”

The wailing ended when she ran to the other part of the quarters, I waited for them to come and take me away already, for them to take me back to where he picked me from, I waited for the guards to surge in and bundle me back in chains to wherever I was picked off from and I waited for the owner of this power I feel to come take it away from me already.

I waited…

But no one came to my rescue, the room fell quiet again and my body grew too heavy with powers again, I fell on my face to the ground, and the burning in my chest lingered again, how could a witch's power be this much and still hurt so much,

“Just let me go!” I screamed in pain

“Please just let me go, I beg of you” The screaming turned to sobs slowly, the pleading came in and I went quiet as another maid came in again, I knew because her voice was different, still soothing but different

As I lay on the floor, back against the door, she took a few strides towards me, hovering over me, she stretched out her slender hands to pick but hesitated for some time

“My lady, are you here?” She inquired

My eyes were on her face, but I tried to speak,

“Yes, help me get up”

She was scared but still did her job, it took time for her panic to subside as she picked me up from the floor, I could hear her heartbeat so fast, I could do that with the help of my powers, my body was shaking slowly, I had to lay down on the bed to get my momentum back.

She ran off from the room and came back almost immediately with a small piece of cloth in her hand and water; she knew I needed to be calm.

After giving me a few dabs on my head, she placed the piece on my forehead and picked up the tea

“Have some tea, My lady” I watched as the liquid in the cup danced slowly, her hands were shaking from fear, how could they be so fearful of me, because I healed from the pain that was cast on me by the Lycan King, it would be very unfair of them to think that I was the one in the bad side.

“Thank you” I took a sip at first, but it tasted great, creamier than tea should be, but I took it all in at the second gulp

Handing the cup over to her, she stood still, waiting for the next command.

“Whose room is this”? I knew the answer, but I needed to confirm

“The... the... Lycan King’s, my lady” She stammered because she tried to look into my eyes, they still shone greenish and I tried my best to tame the power so I could get back to my normal self

“You do not have to feel scared, please I need your help”

She gave me a nod. That was all I needed as I strained to sit up, hurrying to help me up, i knew she was worried

“Why was I brought in here” I tried to not look at her, at least she was getting calm, I could feel her pulse slowly reduce

“The Lycan ordered you’d be brought here for safety and cautious watch”

My eyes narrowed

“Safety"? I was meant to only give it a thought, but I had already said it out loud; I hardly felt such safety since I got here.

“Take me to him, please” my voice came more as pleading, I had to get out of here

“Come with me,” the maid urged, gently guiding me out of bed and into the halls. The grandness of these quarters was different, my footsteps echoed softly on the cold marble floor as the maid led me through corridors, explaining parts of the castle, I made sure the words registered, as I narrowed my eyes to every part she pointed out, I have to be sure of the in and out of this palace so I can escape without getting caught.

I kept inquiring about every nook and cranny of the palace, and at some point, she was feeling uneasy, but she had no choice but to tell me, after all, I am the Lycan’s Luna now; with time, they would crown me, Queen.

Just as we approached a chamber, she pointed to the huge closed doors

“The Lycan is in a meeting with the elders and he has instructed not to be interrupted, My Lady, I'd advise you to wait for him” She bowed

I nodded and signaled for her to leave, she dared not see what I had in mind to do to their lovely Lycan King, a scoff escaped my lips at the thought of it

Taking a step to open the doors, I heard muffled voices as I stepped closer, my curiosity getting the better of her,

Inside the chamber, the elders' voices rose with rage

"She’s a cursed witch! She has no right to stay among us!" a voice snarled. "How dare she think she can be the mate of our king, much less bear the heir of the pack!"

My fingers tightened around the hem of my dress, the fury in me stirred with my powers

"Enough!" came the low, commanding voice of the Lycan King. His tone was steady but simmering with anger; I knew his voice; how could I still recognize it after I prayed to forget everything that had happened?

"I chose her. As the King of this pack, no one will challenge my decision. She is my mate."

“How can you choose me as your mate and still raise your hands to me, you have no idea who you are defending” I had my thoughts

There was a moment of stunned silence before another elder's voice rang out. "Your majesty, we beg of you to reconsider. The blood of witches runs in her veins. She brings a curse with her. You cannot let her be the one to—"

"I will hear no more of this!" the Lycan’s voice was firm. "She stays. That is final."

My heart tugged with anger, but I still felt at ease; at least he defended me in front of those bastards; feeling the weight of their argument, my throat tightened as the reality sunk in. I am trapped in this place; bound by a fate I never chose. The overwhelming urge to flee clawed at my insides.

I wanted to run away, away from everything, but my feet remained rooted to the spot. I couldn’t stop listening to the debate about my future. How could I not have a say in what will happen in my life? The fear became clear again as the truth became clear: I was unwanted by the pack, feared by the elders, and bound to a man I didn’t understand if he loved me or felt better hitting me.

I tried to move, but my feet didn’t let me, I had to resume the tour of the castle, but my mind raced with thoughts of escape. Questions ran through my head as I stared at the door, my mind was clouded as I lost myself in thoughts

"Where does this hall lead?"

"What lies beyond that door?"

They had finished arguing but I still heard the Lycan admonishing the guards

“Make sure you keep an eye on the Elders and tighten the security at each post, especially around our rooms, I do not trust anyone, she has to be safe, she is mine”

I stood at the door, confused and angry; how could someone meet you for the first time and choose to be his Luna? How could he save you still?

“But he hit you” the voice came

Maybe I screamed too much, maybe he just wanted to show me he had taken me as his own, and I was just too stubborn to see it, maybe he didn’t mean to hit me, surely, he would apologize about all this and let me go soon

I have to see him

So, I stood at the door and waited; minutes passed, and the guards came out; I knew he would be out soon, so I waited.

Just the sight of him, I froze

I never realized seeing him would make me weak in the knees as I lost every sense of anger and pain in me, if he could defend me in front of everyone and make such efforts to keep me safe in his kingdom, then I would let him take me

He stepped closer, and I kept my stand, staring at the guards, he signaled for them to leave, and as I turned to face him,

It was just us, and the world went round, his heartbeats increased as he stared at my eyes

“Take me” my voice echoed in the hall.

“Please, take me”.