Chapter 4

Red POV

I walked behind the head maid and the other maids behind me as I followed them to the dining room. This is the first time I am meeting the Lycan King. I don’t know what he looks like, but I feel nervous. He is my king, after all, and I am about to deceive him. Will he figure my lies out? If he does, I am literally dead. Deceiving the king of werewolves, a Lycan, stronger and more powerful than us normal wolves. I would die a really painful death. I sighed, covering my head in nervousness. I didn’t even sleep well. I dreamt the king killed me, and I could no longer sleep. I have been paranoid all night; I just want to enter deep into the ground. They opened the door, and my breath got stuck in my throat as I entered the dining room.

There were four people, three men and a woman. They all sat down at the table, looking elegant. I looked down at my outfit. A black hoodie, short sweatpants, and black fluffy slippers. Is that why Priscilia looked at me that way this morning? How can I wear this to meet my king? I am so dead! I covered my hands with the hoodie’s wrist; they were sweaty. I followed behind Priscilia nervously, looking at the floor.

“Good morning, your majesties and lady Yasmine,” she greets, bowing her head, and I keep looking down, not saying a word. Oh, somebody kill me; run that sword down my throat.

“This is red,” she said, and I could see her gesturing at me. I kept my head down. What do I do? What should I say?

“She doesn’t talk,” a voice said. The voice was soft, almost like he was mocking me. Is that how his majesty sounds? No, that’s not possible. Besides, the voice is closer to me, so it’s probably the dude by my side.

“Lady Red,” Priscilla said. I laughed nervously.

“Good morning, your majesties,” I said, taking a short curt. It wasn’t elegant; it looked like I had back pain.

“Really? This is the infamous red. The one I heard so much about? She seems to me like a weakling,” the female voice said. How dare she talk to me that way! I looked up at her. She has beautiful, long blonde hair, a perfectly oval-shaped face, and beautiful plump lips painted in red lipstick. I couldn’t see her gown, but her bra cups were so tight, pushing her boobs out.

“Ever heard of not judging a book by its cover?” I asked, looking at her blankly. She growled, throwing rocks at me with her powers. I gripped the rocks in the air, burning them until nothing was left—not even dust. I just got here, and someone is already looking for my trouble. But at least I know what powers she controls; then I can know how powerful she is, but I can’t tell if she is Lycan or Wolf.

“I won’t tolerate any disrespect from a anybody like you,” she snapped, glaring at me. I sighed, not saying a word. I won’t let her disgrace me in front of his majesty.

“Yasmine,” a deep voice said. The world stopped; I couldn’t breathe. That wasn’t my name, but the voice sent shivers down my spine—so deep and sexy. I was melting.

“Thank you, Priscilla; please take your leave,” he said, and I turned my head to him slowly. Oh shit, he is so handsome. Slick back hairstyle, electric grey eyes, small pink plump lips, sharp jaws, and beautiful fair skin. What moisturiser is he using? His skin is so clear—not one blemish. He is so handsome and so pretty; I have never seen anyone so pretty. He smiled at me! He smiled at me!

“Please take your seat,” he said. Oh goodness, he is talking to me! My heart fluttered, and my insides danced with joy. This is what butterflies feel like?

“She is so stupid,” she said, and I looked away, bowing my head nervously.

“Yes, your majesty,” I said, sitting beside a man opposite another man.

“This is Felix, my brother, and this is Adam, the Beta King,” he introduced. I cleared my throat softly, deciding I had embarrassed myself enough.

“Nice to meet you, your majesties,” I said, smiling softly. They looked at me like I was crazy. What can I say? I am full of surprises.

“Let’s eat,” his majesty said. I waited for them to take their food and have their first bites. Then I dragged my hoodie arm up, taking my food like a lady would. I took the napkin, placed it on my lap, and poured myself a glass of water. I eat my food quietly, making use of my cutlery. I could feel eyes on me, but I pretended they were not here. I may not have other etiquettes but I have table etiquettes; my father trained me well for that.

I drank my water softly and continued with my food, which was pancakes and bacon. I took a lot of bacon because it’s nutritious for my wolf. I cleaned my mouth with the napkin, dropping it by the side of my plates, and I waited for them to be done. I looked at the paintings, beautiful paintings. I looked at a particular painting; it was a painting of a woman, and she has red hair. She looks awfully like me, but my hair is more red. Hers is like a tomato red, while mine is fiery red. I have not seen anybody with red hair except me, which means I must be really special.

“Can I see your hair?” the man in front asked. He is the king’s brother, Felix. I looked to see if others were still eating, and they were all done. I removed my hood, bringing my hair out. At least I brushed it today, so it’s straight and long.

“Wow, so beautiful,” he said, staring at it. I smiled. I know he wants to touch it.

“Thank you, your highness,” I said.

“She has dimples,” he said, looking at me, mesmerized. I stopped smiling, wondering why he was looking at me like that, like a snack.

“Don’t mind me, and Felix is okay,” he said. I nod my head after licking my lips. I packed my hair back, covering it with the hoodie. I don’t really like people looking at my hair; it’s the first thing they notice. When Alpha saw me, I was too scared to speak. He kept asking for my name, and I just gave him a blank look, so he named me Red, and since then the name has stuck. Nobody knows my real name; the people who know it are dead.

“Is Red your real name?” he asked.

“No,” I said.

“What is your real name?” he asked, curious.

“I’d rather not share it. Red is what everyone knows me as,” I said, and he looked surprised that I didn’t want to share it. Only my pack called me by my name, but they are dead anyway, so I’d rather not bring their memories back by allowing people to call me by my name.

“That’s enough. Now let’s discuss the issue with the night hunter,” his majesty said. I sat up straight, listening to him.

“What do you know about him?” he asked. They keep referring to me as him; the hunter can be anybody, but at least that would keep me out of the spotlight.

“Not much, your majesty; I know he attacks the academy, and that is all I know,” I said.

“What makes you special? What makes you powerful? Why does everyone fear Red? And why does Alpha’s request your help?” he asked. I bit my lips; that’s a lot of questions.

“I helped my alpha with a war; I killed many; I guess that is why, your majesty,” I said.

“I heard you killed rogues who attacked your pack when you were 18 years old; you burned them all down. Is that true?” he asked. Damn that old man for spreading that news.

“Yes, your majesty,” I replied.

“Now, tell me why you did that,” he said. I remembered that day, never being more angry.

“It was anger, your majesty,” I said, looking at the wall. He hummed.

“Tell me, what could make an 18-year-old have so much anger?” he said. I looked at him for a split second; his face was blank; I couldn’t read him. I don’t know if he is genuinely curious or if he wants to know how powerful I am.

“A past lover of mine left me for another,” I said, keeping it short. Felix burst out in laughter, and Yasmine laughed with him. I looked at both of them as they laughed.

“You got mad over that?” he asked, looking at me like I was stupid. I looked at him deep in his eyes, my face blank. He stopped laughing, looking at me. I could feel him getting intimidated; he couldn’t stay still; he started sweating.

“Why don’t we have this talk in my study, Red?” his majesty said, and I looked at him but quickly looked away.

“Yes, your majesty,” I said. He nods his head, standing up. I stood up, glared at him harshly, and he flinched a bit. I followed behind his majesty, rolling my eyes. Stupid, stupid brother of the king. I am sure I am already in their bad books. I sighed. Oh moon goddess help me.