Chapter 4 The box

ARDAN’S POV

Derek did not fail to hide the confusion on his face. Why would the Lycan King, the most powerful shifter alive, intervene on a mere omega’s behalf? I ignored the stunned faces around me, focusing solely on the face sitting upright on the bed.

“Put your clothes on," I commanded.

My gaze then shifted to the wolf next to Serena on the bed, Joshua, I recalled. "And you," I said with a low snarl, "get out. Now."

Joshua didn't need telling twice. He scrambled off the bed, hastily and fearfully. Still, Serena remained covered in the sheet, using it as a flimsy shield to hide her nakedness.

Cora couldn't resist a disdainful snort. "Well, aren't you just the picture of grace," she said to Serena. "The Lycan King himself asks you to put some fucking clothes on, and here you are, clutching a sheet to your bare chest like a lost pup."

My head snapped towards Cora. "If you don't want to end up as a decoration on the wall like your beta," I warned, "learn to control your fucking tongue."

Cora wisely chose silence, a nod was her only reply. Turning back to the room, I cast a commanding look around. "Give her some space," I instructed.

One by one, the wolves left the room. Then, I turned to Derek. "Lead the way to your conference room," I ordered. "I have an announcement to make."

Derek was clearly puzzled by my unexpected behavior towards Serena. He could only nod numbly. “Of course, your majesty.” Then he pointed at Serena. “What about Serena? Would she be joining us?"

I didn't answer immediately, instead I let my gaze drift back to Serena. Her nudity was still hidden behind the sheet. Finally, I met her gaze with contempt in my eyes. "She can come," I agreed, "when she's decent."

Derek led me to his conference room. As we walked, he was still visibly trying to understand my earlier display of protectiveness towards Serena.

Hesitantly, he led me to the secluded corner in the conference room. Once the door shut behind us, he cleared his throat.

"If I may ask, your Majesty. What is this about?" Derek finally managed to ask. "You rarely grace my humble abode, and when you do, it's certainly not to intervene in my… personal affairs."

My eyes narrowed in a way that made Derek wriggle. "Let's just say," I said, "certain recent events have come to my attention."

Derek's face paled considerably. "Events?" he stammered, he panicked. "What events are you referring to, Your Majesty?"

"You mustn’t know everything.” I said curtly. “Now, shall we?” I gestured for him to take a seat at the large mahogany table that dominated the center of the room.

He sat in a chair, his gaze shifting between me and the other wolves who sat around us. I leaned back in the chair.

"After the banquet tonight," I finally spoke. "I will be taking Serena home."

Derek's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Home? But Your Majesty," he sputtered. “King Ardan," he continued, "a woman like Serena… she's not suitable for you. An omega, especially one of such… questionable repute, would tarnish your reputation."

“Don't worry yourself about that, Derek. Her place is with me."

My behavior defied any logic he could comprehend. Why would the Lycan King choose to sully himself with an omega who’s a prostitute?

“But Your Majesty," he began, "taking someone like… like Serena? Think of the headline, the scandal! A Lycan King with a… a…" He struggled to find a decent term, finally settling on, "a prostitute."

His concern for my reputation seemed less about genuine worry and more about a desperate attempt to keep something hidden.

“There are far better options available to you," Derek continued with eagerness. "Stronger, more… suitable companions."

Before I could respond, the door to the conference room creaked open, and a young woman waltz into the room. Her red dress clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination.

"Ah, Mirabeth," Derek greeted. "This is the Lycan King, Ardan. Mirabeth is one of my most… prized possessions."

My gaze remained fixed on Mirabeth as Derek gave me reasons as to why I should take Mirabeth with me instead. Her beauty was undeniable, yet I felt nothing for her.

“Enough!" I yelled.

Derek, sensing the anger in me, hastily backtracked. "Of course, Your Majesty," he stammered.

My eyes met Derek's head-on. "I’ve made my decision. You can take your... prized possession and leave," I commanded. "The banquet awaits."

Derek's face was filled with anger and humiliation, but he wisely chose not to argue. With a curt nod, he ushered Mirabeth out of the room. And once again, the door slammed shut behind them.

SERENA’S POV

I pulled on a simple dress, fumbling with the buttons on my dress. My mind, however, was far from the present. It drifted back to a time long ago, to a woman named Nana Willow.

She was an old she-wolf that had been my haven while growing up. Just then, a single, precious memory surfaced. Nana Willow, held out a small, intricately carved wooden box and pressed it into my hands.

"This is for you, little one," she had said with affection. "A gift from your parents. They wished for you to open it on your 20th birthday."

“Remember, Serena, this box must never be damaged. It holds great importance, and any harm to it will bring great disaster to the wolf pack."

The box was tucked away in a hidden pocket of my meager belongings and my heart ached at the memory. Three months. That's how long until my 20th birthday. Three months until I could understand whatever secret’s within the box. But would I even survive that long?

Just then, Derek entered my room, jolting me back to reality.

“So," he said with sarcasm, "all dressed up and ready to play princess for the Lycan king, are we?"

I remained silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.

He walked further into the room, eyeing me from head to toe. "Don't get any ideas, Serena," he sneered. "Just because the Lycan King took a fancy to you for a moment, doesn't mean he'll believe a word you say about me."

I wanted to talk back, but I quickly swallowed my words. Now wasn't the time for a fight. I couldn't risk Derek lashing out.

"I wouldn't dream of it," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.

He let out a chuckle. "Wise choice." His gaze shifted. "And don't forget," he continued. "I still have your parents' things. Try anything funny, and they might just 'accidentally' get misplaced."

His threats weren’t empty. I wanted to scream But I held it back, forcing myself to nod silently in submission.

Derek seemed satisfied with my reaction. With a final glare, he turned and headed back towards the door. As he reached for the knob, he looked over his shoulders. "Don't be late. The Lycan King wouldn't like to be kept waiting."