Chapter 4

"Consider his request as a test for the authenticity of your skill," Beta Robert said when I was about to open the door of my bedchamber. "He meant nothing bad when he set a duel for you."

His attempt to cover up the cruelty of the lycan king made my brows fuse. I turned to him with a hint of confusion on my face. 

"He doubts me," I spilled the truth. "Even if he watched the death race. He wants to see it over again because of his stumped ego."

I saw his eyes widen a fraction then his lips curled into an amused grin. "You know how to read the lines. I guess there's no need to sugarcoat his harsh action a while ago."

"I've heard things about him. Believing that my skills impressed him was a joke." My jaw tightened. "I guess, he requested me to punish me here for beating his bet on the death race."

He chuckled but it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't think so. He wouldn't threaten those interested alphas only to make you suffer."

"What do you mean?" My forehead creased.

"My point here is our king has a better plan for you. He wants to see how you can benefit him. Be it his warrior, his slave…or his courtesan."

I swallowed the lump in my throat at his last word. His shoulder moved then he barked into laughter because of my reaction.

"You're so naive. Of course, the last role won't suit you well. Only willing alpha daughters can be his courtesans," he laughed.

His arrogant facade was now gone. It uncovered his approachable side. I've never thought of Mr. Cunningham feared him.

"I want to be one of his warriors. He can make use of my full potential as a warrior," I said with my determined voice.

"It's good to hear you have that in mind. It will help you beat your opponent tomorrow," he said. "You might have a small frame but it was an armor conserving your commendable agility and speed."

"T-thanks." My cheeks heated. 

"I just hope you can fight tomorrow in that state." His eyes landed on his stomach. I involuntarily covered it with my hand. It was three days since the death race happened, and people who watched the game knew the wound I got.  

"I'd prove myself worthy to be his warrior…whatever happens."

"That's the spirit, Ms. Moore." For the first time, someone addressed me with a vestige of respect. 

After my conversation with Beta Robert, I went inside my supposed room. I blinked after I saw the comfortable bed with clean sheets, a comforter, and pillows. My room wasn't dirty like the room I had at the packhouse. I also had my cabinet, a drawer, a table in the corner, and a window where I could see the picturesque scenery of mountains outside the castle.

I closed my eyes and let myself dive on my comfortable bed. I've never thought it would be my room. 

"Vera, you need to prove yourself. To be a warrior and…to have this room," I said to myself.

I admit, I was startled and scared when Zephrus Saunder talked to me, especially when he touched me. I thought my skills impressed him. It was a good thing that I was sane enough to doubt Mr. Cunningham's word.

Winning the death race for werewolves insulted their race, especially the Lycan king who looked like he never acknowledged human strength. He was no different from those people in the Vactic pack who couldn't accept the defeat of a human like me. I stomped their pride and now, he wanted to prove that I won by luck. I was nothing compared to their strength.

I've never thought that my arrival in Eclipse Castle would be greeted with a test of my skills. I heaved a deep sigh as both of my hands crawled to my stomach, I winced in pain when I touched a sensitive part. To earn his trust, I had to face whatever challenges he threw against me. 

"Moon Goddess, please let the Lycan king show mercy on me. Let him show me some respect," I prayed before I let Hypnos cradle me in his arms.

It was four in the morning when I woke up and exercised. After an hour, I took a bath and wore my worn-out clothes. It was an old black combat pants and beneath my old leather jacket was a white racerback tank top. I paired it with a pair of boots gifted by Mira when I turned eighteen.

Since my hair was still wet, I let it flow behind my back and then decided to leave my room. Prepared for the duel. 

"Are you Vera Moore?" a brownish-haired woman asked. She was holding a tray of food. She looked so clean to be a slave. I wondered what was her role here.

I nodded at her question. "Why?"

Her lips stretched into a warm smile. "I'm Bernadette, I was told to bring your breakfast to your room." She lifted a bit the tray of food to show her motive for asking me.

My eyes narrowed into a slit as I examined the cup of coffee and those croissants on the tray. Thinking that it had a poison or something that could weaken me. Was the game already starting? Was it part of the game?

"I know what you are thinking," Bernadette said as if she could read my thoughts. "I had an idea what had just happened last night but the king will never harm someone he invited here."

I raised my brow. "Really? Can you take a bite and sip the coffee then?" I challenged. 

She blew out a sigh. My eyes balled when she followed me. She watched me while eating one of those croissants and took a sip.

"See? Nothing happened. Now, follow me. Eat this inside your room," she ordered as she navigated to my room.

My pace was faster to reach the entrance so I could open my door for her. She entered with grace then I went inside. She placed the tray and then settled in a single-seated chair. 

"I'm sorry if I asked you to do that," I said apologetically. "I never expected that you would accept my challenge."

"I understand. As someone who is greeted vehemently, you have the right to doubt everything here. Assurance should be shown," she said as she broke into a small smile.

I vacated the chair in front of the table where she placed the tray. I was uncomfortable when started to eat my breakfast. Well, who wouldn't? She was watching me!

"Are you going to stay here until I finish my breakfast?" I frowned. Her stares made me uneasy, watching my every move. Was she returning the favor since I doubted the food she brought a while ago?

She broke into a smile "Since you don't know where the duel will be held, yes. I'll be ushering you there."

"Are you one of the lycan king's courtesans? Did he send you here to feed me?"

"Courtesan?" She barked into laughter, spitting the role with insult. "I'm a servant here. I'm not a desperate she-wolf who wanted to please the lycan king with my body…especially not someone who belongs to the noble bloodline. I was told to bring you food and guide you."

My brows knitted. "Servant? But you don't like one." My eyes graced her from head to toe. "You have a nice clean clothes."

"Why? Have you seen a servant with dirty clothes?" she asked curiously. "As you see, I have never left the castle since I was born so I don't know what they wear as they serve. But here in the castle, you have to be presentable especially when you face the lycan king."

I blinked and opened my mouth to speak but I pressed it when no words came out from my mouth. 

"I used to be a servant…no, a slave. I guess, the lycan king values every person in his castle, huh?"

Her eyes widened and bit her lower lip. "Sorry, I guess, you had a bad experience while serving the pack," she said with guilt. "I was so insensitive. I've never thought you used to be a servant too."

"A slave," I corrected.

Silence grew between the two of us. I took it as an opportunity to eat my food. On the other hand, Bernadette remained watching me. I knew she had so many things to say based on the look on her face.

"I heard you are the one who won the death race. The reason why you pique our king's interest," she mouthed. "If you had the guts to fight those werewolves, you can also fight Xena."

"Xena?" 

"She volunteered to fight you. Lycan King Zephrus agreed. She is one of the high-ranking warriors anyway," she said. "Xena is strong and cunning but her weakness is her temper."

"Why are you saying this to me?" I asked confusedly. She was feeding me information about my opponent.

"Isn't it obvious? I want you to say here. You look kind and sweet," she mustered a sincere smile at me.

"Have you heard that looks could be deceiving?"

"No. I felt it…even my wolf likes you too."

Suddenly, I remembered Mira who said the same thing before. I looked at Bernadette with a sad face. Unfortunately. I couldn't trust her but I needed someone to ask for information to do my mission. Guilt ran down my spine because of my intention.

"What's the problem?" she asked with so much concern in her face.

"Nothing," I stood. "I'm done. I think I need to go there before Lycan King Zephrus dragged me out of here."

"I am confident that you can beat Xena since you beat her once already." I squinted at her with a confused look as we left my room.

"What? Beat once? What do you mean?" 

"She is one of the participants in the death race."

"I see," I said as I immersed myself in deep thought.

If she volunteered to fight me, she wanted to prove something to herself. I just hope that she didn't hold any grudge against me.

"We are here," Bernadette uttered. I found myself in the courtyard of the castle where the ground was coated with Bermuda grass. There was a cast-iron fountain at its center where a figure of a beast, carrying a moon-like with an ornamental design of flowers and three wolves spouting water. 

Warriors started to gather as if the duel would offer them a worthwhile show. I couldn't blame them. Werewolves were so fond of duels to show their strength against their potential opponent. But for the lycan king, it was used to prove the reliability of my skills.

Speaking of the lycan king, my eyes wandered around to find the lycan king but I couldn't find him. Instead, a familiar short browned-haired girl darted me with her cunning emerald orbs as her lips twitched into a smirk.

"She's Xena, she'll be your opponent."

Now, I understood why she volunteered to fight me. I guess, this duel wouldn't be easy.