CHAPTER II:

SEA OF THE DEAD

MARITIME BORDER BETWEEN

CRAENIA AND ASMAX.

Long ago, when he was a little boy, his father once told him that there were always sacrifices to be made, and that in the face of these, when life puts you to the test, there were only two options, go straight ahead or turn back like a coward, or a wise man.

«Everything will be fine, calm down», whispered the she-wolf calmly wagging her tail, lying on the ground, Axe could observe her in some kind of meadow in his mind, like a personal oasis, he took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on her beautiful white fur and blue eyes, «I am with you, live or die, but always together, remember», Axe nodded, it was a real thing.

Once the pups reached the age of twelve to fifteen and manifested what would be their caste for the rest of their lives, they would work on contacting them with their inner wolf, until there was such a strong connection that they would act as one, even taking a life oath in which the wolf and human pledged to always look out for each other, or else, if they did anything that would endanger the other party they would die.

Axe knew that his she-wolf would never let him drift. However, his tranquility only filled him with an overwhelming and gloomy uncertainty when until hours ago, before crossing the black sea and finally being close to the waters of Craenia, he was still as reluctant as he was to all this, and there he was, not far from entering the lands of Craenia, knowing that his world would take a turn of one hundred and eighty degrees forever, the worst part was that he didn't know how positive or negative these changes would be.

This was a simple political agreement, an alliance forced by fear and uncertainty, fueled by desperation and a threat of war, agreed by the incentive to emerge victorious from an unstoppable struggle, neither the kingdom of Craenia nor the kingdom of Asmax wanted such a union, he still remembers the indignant cries of his people when his father made the announcement, he does not want to imagine then those who accompanied the subjects of the crown of Craenia.

Craenia and Asmax have been enemies for years, they have not enlisted cannons or raised their weapons, neither have they unsheathed a sword, but it is known, the tension is noticeable, it is a silent war that has advanced for decades and does not augur to end, for Asmax those of the throne of roses are nothing more than scum, for Craenia those of the golden throne are nothing more than barbarians, an enmity that began with the fracture of a great brotherhood and the death of two Lycans, no one knows what really happened, but it was important enough to reach the present day.

For years Asmax was open to new people, being a people of Lycans, however, contrary to many, they had not lost contact with their wolves, they were proud to have that intimate and ancestral bond granted by the goddess moon and Fenrir, something that for the kingdom of Craenia was an aberration, Axe is not fooled, he has met wonderful people in his travels to other continents, perhaps among the subjects of Craenia there are, but his royalty is so archaic and closed that he begins to doubt it.

His mother put the cry in the sky, his father had flexed only because otherwise they would be lost, his older sister tried to take his place to save him from such a fate, however the king of Craenia was precise, only the omega son, to unite in marriage with his eldest son, Axe knowing this cried for days, yes he did, however, it was an absolute truth, marry or many lifeless and bloodied bodies would be the picture that would haunt him all his life.

"We're finally here, Axe" he nodded at the sound of Cedric's voice "You'd better get ready, prince".

The young omega stepped away from the edge and stood amidships, his dark blue eyes glistening, subtle makeup only highlighting his beauty, black hair, long and straight flowing loose all over his torso accentuating his silhouette and features, fine features of white skin, small and thick lips kissed by the subtle lipstick, the slender body wrapped in a simple black kimono of fine fabric and small drawings in the form of dragon, with a diamond belt that covered the entire waist embedded in the dark fabric emphasizing her hips.

As they approached the boarding and the waters moved, so did the fabrics of her garments, intertwining both hands low on her belly, the coolness of the rings matching the long diamond and gold earrings, and a silver pendant creating shivers on his skin.

The ship arrived at the shore, the anchors were dropped and the board set for her entrance to Craenia's lands, he took a deep breath to her lungs, his wolf nodded and taking that as support he took the first step followed by his guards and court ladies, every step he felt she was dying, he was afraid, he was trembling, he felt like turning around and leaving without looking back.

However, he would not do it, he controlled his scent avoiding leaving himself in evidence, those tears and escapes would only make his look weak and he was not, the omegas of his people are warriors, strong lycans full of courage and he would not be less, he was in front of the enemy, marriage or not, political agreement or not, they were enemies.

He took the first step, the one that would mark a before and after.

"Welcome prince omega of Asmax" saluted a gentleman in a dark green suit, elegant bearing, wrinkled eyes, white skin, haughty aura and mustache "My name is Abraham Poatta, I have come to greet you on behalf of the crown of Craenia."

Axel looked him up and down, subtly inhaling the air around him, grape, he tried to pick up on something else however it wasn't necessary, Abraham is a beta, Axe smiled in total hypocrisy as he sensed how his she-wolf seemed interested and slightly annoyed, Axe had been taught that when a visitor came to the kingdom they were to be greeted by someone of royalty, not just anyone supposedly representing royalty, and the fact that no one from Craenia's monarchy attended to greet him was a clear sign of what awaited him, in other instants Axe would have created a scene and demonstrated his character, however, there, it would lead him to nothing except to give veracity to the inaccurate thinking they had about Asmax and his people.

"Why have the kings not attended my reception?" he asked to which Abraham looked at the others before giving him a smile.

"They are waiting for you in the palace your highness, they had important matters to attend to" he raised an eyebrow looking at the man.

"Important matters?," the beta nodded "You mean I'm not?," Abraham seemed to panic and quickly denied, the ladies and guards looking at him with amusement "Well, take me to your highness."

Abraham watched the omega prince with what could be said surprise and curiosity, since it was made known about the political agreement there was no talk of anything else and it was seen when every meter the car moved forward there was some talk around, alphas, omegas and betas, many surprised, some interested and others horrified by the presence of someone, no, of the omega prince of Asmax there, because it only meant that it was reality the political agreement.

They arrived at the gates of the great castle, the omega prince did not even notice the structure, he only followed Abraham with a serious face, his entourage and guard the same.

"My king, the omega prince of Asmax, Axe Didier Noir, has arrived" presented leaving in sight of the monarchs the young pale-skinned omega, who took a couple of steps approaching the beginning of the stairs that led to the throne with a sharp look.

"Axe Didier Noir, omega prince and second heir to the kingdom of Asmax" he stood before the kings saluting with a subtle nod of his head.

"It is an honor prince Axe, welcome to the kingdom of Craenia" answered Eric Arnaud Féret, alpha and king of Craenia with a tight smile, next to him the queen with a serious face and neat silence, the scent hit him.

She was an alpha, however the bitter tone of her scent almost made him vomit right there, she was a tall, slim, brown haired woman with green eyes, on the other side two of her three born sons, one with brown hair, with his mother's eyes and beautiful fine features, who just smelled of coffee, was a beta, next to her was someone else watching her with great attention in his showy grey eyes, the monarch walked up to the omega prince and took him by the hand.

"I know we don't have the best relationship, but I hope that while you are here, your stay will be tolerable" Axe smiled.

"I hope so, my Lord" he looked over Eric's shoulder with mock sympathy, his she-wolf growled and Axe vowed to see her smile only as a wolf could.

Tension was in the air, everyone silent and alert, Axe knew it, he had entered a battlefield, one he didn't know if he would come out of unpunished.