Chapter 6

~ Richard

I couldn't get the thought of the fair lady out of my head. Her pleas kept replaying in my mind like a horrible symphony I desperately wanted to get rid of.

I wondered just who exactly she was, who she was running from, and how she had ended up in the bush. I narrowed my eyes as a frown creased my face. How could a girl dressed in tattered clothes, looking no more than a slave, have such a great hold on me?

I had been in the bush, close to our territories with James, my beta, hunting late at night when I caught a scent. It was too strong; I had to follow it to its source.

That was when I saw her!

A fair lady in rags, lying helpless on the floor; she smelled of a mix of Lavender and Vanilla. My wolf jumped at the sight, an act that infuriated me.

I immediately suppressed whatever feeling was forming within me and focused on the wolves before me. It was obvious she was in danger and needed saving.

I was infuriated at her pursuers, the nerve of them to dare try to invade my territory. They probably didn't know who I was, as I have only been seen by alphas and members of my pack.

Being a Lycan king, a king to all Lycans and the ruler of werewolves, I was gravely feared by werewolves, witches, and even lycans.

I tore the pursuers to shreds, scattering their remains for scavengers to feed on.

James and I brought the poor, helpless girl back home. I could still see the look in her beautiful big brown eyes when she begged to escape the fate I sentenced her to. It tore at my heart and i hated the feeling, Despite that, I couldn't help but wonder if I had been too rash.

Alone with my thoughts in my office, my beta, James, knocks softly before inviting himself in. My eyes swept up to his face as I waited to hear what he had to say.

"She is in the dungeon, Your Majesty," he said. I frowned at his words, remaining quiet.

The dungeon was no place for a lady; even I knew that. From the looks of her, she has been through a lot already, yet I had sent her there. It was necessary, though – a hard call I had to make.

I have to be careful not to let my guard down before strangers. I can't just let her into my home without finding out who she is first.

James, sensing my unease, inquired, concern etching his voice, "Is there a problem, Richard?" I glanced at him and sighed; he was one person who knew me like the back of my hand.

He was my best friend. He often addresses me by my name when we are alone or surrounded by people who know us, but in front of strangers, he regards me with high respect, an act I despise a little.

"Not really, there isn't," I reassured him, but my eyes betrayed me. I knew he could see that I was lying; I hated that he had the ability to read me so well when no one else could.

"It's okay if you don't want to share your burdens with me, but there is something you must know about the girl," there was a sense of urgency in his voice as he spoke.

My eyes lit up. Was I about to find out something about this girl whose thoughts have plagued my mind and sent me into a feeling of emotional turmoil? I wondered,

"What is it?" I asked, trying to mask my eagerness.

"Well, it is really nothing serious," he walked towards the desk, placed his hand on them, and lowered his eyes to mine, "She thinks you are a murderer," he criticized.

My brows furrowed, "Is that it?" That wasn't what I was expecting. I thought he found out something about her, probably where she was from or what she was doing near our territories.

"Isn't that bad? I don't mean to question you, but do you think you are being too mean to the poor little girl?"

He picked an apple from the table and wolfed it down his throat, "Is he going to kill me?" he said in a voice that was not his; it was clear he was mimicking the girl.

"I felt so bad for her, but I was just obeying orders; I hope she realizes that and does not hate me too," he mocked. I glared fiercely at him; he took another apple and stepped back, innocently rubbing his nose. I would give him one thing; he knew how to take a hint.

My mind wandered back to what he had said. Were those really her exact words? Something stirring up within me, something I had been trying to suppress ever since we got back. A surge of emotion I felt for this strange woman. I wasn't one to care about how I was perceived by other people.

In fact, there was a rumor flying around that I am a ruthless Lycan king, a deranged beast who had an insatiable thirst for blood, but I didn't care. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and in this case, their opinions serve my purpose. Only those close to me know who I really am, and I would be glad if it remained that way.

It was better to be a ruler feared by the people you rule than to be loved. With fear comes loyalty, with love comes weakness and betrayal. My father had his fair share of the latter, and it cost him his life.

But for some reason, one I couldn't fathom, I cared about the way this stranger perceived me. I hated that I was this way; I hated feeling weak. All I have known all my life is strength. I try to ward off the feeling and block thoughts of her from my head, but I just couldn't.

I stood abruptly from my sturdy chair and walked casually to the window overlooking the second wing of my mansion. Darkness had given way to light. It was dawn. I could feel James' gaze on me, waiting for the command he knew would come.

I tilted my head to the side without looking at him and issued the command, "It is morning already; let her out."

Taunting me, he replied, "Sorry, who do you mean?"

He wanted me to speak in clearer terms despite knowing who the hell I was referring to, "Don't play that game with me, James! Let the stranger out!" I snapped.

James cleared his throat, "What do I do with her? Where do I send her?" he quizzed.

I would have gotten angry if his question didn't make sense. I thought for a while. I knew I needed to avoid this girl. I turned, meeting his gaze, "Send her to the chief of staff; tell her she is an addition to members of staff. She would know what to do with her."

James nodded in response and left, shutting the door behind him.

I needed to clear my head; I needed to go for a walk, but first, I wanted to clear the documents on my desk. I sat and started scribbling away, trying to keep my raging thoughts at bay.

I am an unmated Lycan king and if it were up to me, i would stay that way but as King, i owed it to my people to produce an heir, to find a Luna who would complete me.

The pressure from the elders and my chief of staff, Jessica was getting worse by the day. I had grown weary of them and had eventually succumbed to their wishes of selecting 30 young beautiful maidens from noble homes, The Eligibles out of which i would make my choice of a wife from in 10 days.

Maybe that was what i needed, once i become mated, i won't be plagued with thoughts of this strange girl anymore.

A few minutes later, James walked in wide-eyed, his breathing heavy, indicating he had run to my office. I could sense there was something wrong.

I arched my brow in inquisition, "What is it?" I snarled.

"The girl, she is bleeding out from her wrist," he stuttered. James was not one to stutter; he was my beta, the second strongest man in my pack, I being the first. If he was in this state, then it was serious.

I immediately dropped my fountain pen and rose from my chair, my heart pounding fast against my ribcage as I said in a low, unsure voice, "Is she dead?"