Chapter 3

“Damn it, Vera! You don’t know what kind of hell you are putting yourself into!” Mira expressed her vehement protest. She knelt in front of me, made me look at her eyes which were already welling in tears. “Vera, do you want to escape? Swear I’ll help you.”

My eyes widened a fraction then I checked the door. I heaved a sigh of relief when it was closed. I looked at her with a serious expression on my face. 

“Watch your mouth, Mira,” I warned. “You have forgotten that I dealt with the head of Cortov Organization and…the lycan king is expecting me tonight,” I uttered in my low voice.

I continued unpacking my things as Mira stared at me with disbelief. My decision wouldn’t be influenced by her even if her tears could fill the entire room. I've decided already…and as if I had any choice.

“Vera, Zephrus Saunder is a beast. A monster,” Mira said in her trembling voice as she described the lycan king, “Unlike us, he has incredible power, strength and senses. Do you know what happened back then? He killed a number of alphas…of packs. Who knows if—”

“Mira,” I called her attention to stop her.. “Calm down, okay. I’ll do my best to survive…and will find any chances to visit you.”

“I’ll do the same thing, Vera. Don’t get yourself killed,” she begged.

I raised my brow. “I might be a human but I’m a bad bitch, remember that.”

Mira must not feel the fear reigning inside me because if she saw a single crack, I might consider her suggestion and that was the least thing I would do. I did not want her to see it. I wanted her out of it. It was a good thing that the lycan king only wanted me. Besides, if there was someone who deserves to be offered that mission, it would be me. So I need to fight the spooky feeling every time they mention the name of the lycan king.

Three knocks from the door piqued our attention. That was the time I closed my luggage and looked at her.

“I want to see you in one piece when we see each other again, Mira,” I joked to make my departure lighter.

“Damn you, I should be the one to say that.” She pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’ll gonna miss you, bitch.” I smiled when I heard her muffled cries.

“Vera, it's time,” Alpha Duran's baritone voice filled the room. There was a ghost of concern when I darted his eyes but it suddenly vanished, shifted into his usual cold façade. 

Mira wanted to come along but our alpha stopped her from doing so. There was a deafening silence as we graced the floor of the packhouse. Everyone was staring at us but no one dared to make a sound. It was different from the scenario where they threw insults and profanities. Maybe, it was one of the things I would miss here.

Mr. Cunningham was waiting for me outside with his car. One of his men opened the door of the car’s passenger seat for me. I’ve remembered those nights I wish to leave the pack but it was not this way. 

For the last time, I looked up to the veranda where Mira was looking at me with her sad eyes. I smiled at her and waved my hand before I entered the car. I watched those familiar faces in the pack who have become part of my life after Luna Beatrice adopted me. None of them looked sad about my departure. Anger and happiness were all I saw.

“Vera,” Mr. Cunningham called my attention during the ride to the Eclipse Castle, where the lycan king resides. “I couldn't guarantee your safety inside the castle, but as long as the lycan king favors you, you'll be safe."

Up until now, I still couldn't believe that Zephrus Saunder was impressed by my skill after he saw me at the death race. Despite Mr. Cunningham's assurance, I still doubt that the lycan king would favor me. But I had to hold on to that thought to keep my confidence.

"Since the castle has loyal soldiers to their king, I am not able to install my men there. You only have yourself so be careful," he uttered. "Do everything to earn his trust and discourage him from working with Gregor Vatrimosso, or else we are all dead."

"How can I give you updates?" I asked curiously, "Zephrus Saunder has the castle under his thumb. I have no one to trust. If you want me to escape the castle, I'll be dead because it is heavily guarded for sure."

"You will not escape. You will not do something that can make him doubt you," he uttered. "I know, our exchange of information will be hard but we'll find ways to talk."

I wanted to complain because this whole mission might fail. If we struggle to communicate, it also means that I couldn't depend on them. I let out a long sigh, indeed, I only have myself. But what else could we do? He was right. I shouldn't let Zephrus Saunder doubt me. 

Learning that even the Cortov Organization couldn't penetrate the Eclipse Castle, it only meant that the castle was under the lycan king's control. What a powerful king. 

But damn him, why did he want to merge powers with Gregor Vartimosso! Vampires and werewolves have been rivals for many generations. Why would he trust a dangerous vampire like that monster!

We fell silent after our conversation. It seemed like Mr. Cunningham had already told me everything I needed to hear, it didn't include ensuring my life. I've already accepted it after our talk back at the packhouse but I couldn't stop the fear sending chills to my spine. The familiar fear I felt when I thought I wouldn't escape the Vatrimosso mansion when I was a child.

"You need to rest," he spoke, breaking the silence. "It will be a long ride."

I nodded and tried to sleep but a myriad of thoughts haunted me, stopping me to rest. I didn't know what kind of life awaits me at the castle. I prayed to the Moon Goddess to give me protection when I face the lycan king.

Hours passed, the car stopped in front of the huge gates with broad metallic double doors. Statues of the lycan king in his beast form lined up, scaring rogues and intruders to back off. Warriors guarding the gate were wearing metallic armor. Their posture screamed power and virility. 

One of them knocked on the window's car then our driver opened it. When the warrior saw Mr. Cunninghan  gave us his go signal to enter the castle.

I couldn't help but to notice how towers were strategically built in different spots of the castle. Like it was built not only to impress visitors but to provide security against attacks. 

We were welcomed by the thick, high brick walls of the Eclipse tower. The bricks were even and square—built with perfection and made to protect the ones living inside. It was supported by the aesthetic flying buttresses. 

"Thank you," I said when the driver opened the door of the car. 

Mr. Cunningham told the driver to bring my luggage. We were about to enter the castle when an old bald man wearing a black suit approached us. He was giving off a different energy, darker than Mr. Cunninghan. He looked like he held a high position in the castle.

"Mr. Cunningham, the lycan king would like to thank you for bringing…this human," he said in his monotonous tone as he graces me with his imperious orbs. 

"I have a name, you know. Vera Moore, but call me Vera," I said. I felt Mr. Cunningham held my arm. When I looked at him, he gave me a meaningful look—a look to tell me to shut up.

"It's an honour to follow his order, Beta Robert Saunder," Mr. Cunningham formally greeted, slightly bowing his head. 

Mr. Cunningham was not displaying formality, it was true that he respected this old man—who happened to be the Beta. I regretted my tone a while ago. I shouldn't act that way!

Robert Saunder? He might be the lycan king's relative. The lycan king chose his people very well, huh?

 "I am afraid you cannot set your foot inside the castle. You can leave the castle since you've already done your job. I'll be the one to show her to him," Beta Robert said in his dismissive tone. 

I looked at Mr. Cunningham who noticed his arrogance. He tolerated it by giving me a nod. Like he knew that this man in front of us was really powerful.

"Until we meet again, Miss Vera Moore. Enjoy staying at Eclipse Castle," Mr. Cunningham said and gave his driver a meaningful look. The driver put down my luggage and opened the door for Mr. Cunningham. The driver paid respect first to Beta Robert before entering the car.

Beta Robert Saunder and I watched the car drift away until the warriors closed the metallic door. I heard him clear his throat.

"So you're finally here, Vera Moore. Almost all of us know you after you played the death race. What commendable skills and speed you have," he said as his lips stretched into a small warm smile.

"T-thank you." My cheeks heated after hearing the first compliment from a stranger. I wondered about his arrogance. It vanished after Mr. Cunningham left.

"Come and follow me. Don't worry about your luggage, someone will pick it up and send it to your room."

We entered the grandiose Eclipse castle where its interior was screaming elegance and power. I couldn't appreciate that because Beta Robert was walking so fast that I had to catch up.

 "You will be a big asset to the lycan king…to us but the lycan king will talk to you personally for your role here," Mr. Cunningham.

Role. I've never thought I could make use of the gossip I've heard back when I was at the packhouse. Everyone in the Eclipse Castle had their own role before they embraced the comfort inside the castle. Warriors. Slave. Courtesan. I just hope that I will be a slave or a warrior because I would kill myself if the lycan king wanted me to be one of his filles de joie.

The castle was too big for me to remember the passageways. It was bigger than the Vatrimosso mansion. I could hear the noises coming from the hall—and it looked like we were going to that place.

Silence filled the room when they noticed us gracing the floor—maybe it was Beta Robert's presence. They were having a feast when we came and basing their clothes, they were warriors. Most of them paid respect to their beta then jumped their gazes at me. Moments later murmurs echoed around the room about me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat when I saw the lycan king. There was no need to ask who he was because of the way he sat on that chair in the middle of the room where women served him with flirty touches. He shifted his seat refused to drink on the wineglass when he saw us coming. 

As I pulled every step in his direction, my fear intensified. His eyes with snobbish blotches of pitchblack glistened in crimson hue for a fleeting moment when he darted me. He mustered a scowl which knitted his thin brows, creating a crease in his forehead. 

Did I do something wrong?

"My King, the human you are asking for is here," Beta Robert said and stepped back to present me. 

Lycan King Zephrus Saunder treaded with a menace in his visage towards our direction. 

My hands were shivering and I wanted the ground to devour me. I could feel him. He was so powerful. He was…scary.

"Look at me," he commanded. My eyes widened when he lifted my chin. 

He was about to continue his sentence but he gaped in words. There was something in his touch that I couldn't explain. Maybe his touch worsen the fear I was feeling. For a fleeting moment, I saw his eyes glistened in crimson hue again. A shade I'd fear. 

Zephrus Saunder gritted his teeth as his sharp nails dugged in my skin. He mustered an impish smile and said, "You, of all players on that game, are a human. A weak entity compared to us. How dare you bring shame to our kind?"

He pushed me, gladly Beta Robert was  there to catch me. 

"Bring her to her room. Let's see if she can beat one of my warriors tomorrow!"