02. Queen?

LORA:

I was unable to recover from my shock at the Lycan King giving me his cloak as I went after him. It smelt so much like him—ocean mist that slightly calmed my insides.

“Your Majesty,” I said gently. “Where are you taking me?” And what work would he give me? Or will he kill me the moment we reach his chambers? Just like what the rumors had said.

There were gossips surrounding the Mad King. That every female servant was offered as a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess after a witch cursed him to appease the Moon Goddess anger. And after my research, I discovered that the witch was my long-distant relative.

“Your Majesty?”

My hold on the cloak tightened.

He was an annoying bastard who think that anyone below him was not worth it to be listened.

He barely glanced at me, and the only thing he could answer was a grunt on his behalf.

“Your Majesty,” I called, trying to catch up with his pace. Servants usually walked after their masters. But was that also the case between us? I was his mate, and I was allowed to walk beside him.

However, he was not acknowledging our bond and treated it as if it was nothing.

“Stop being noisy, or I will toss you back in the cage,” he threatened. “If you became even more irritating, I would ask the wild beast tore your limbs.”

A shiver ran down my spin as I imagined his threat.

Damn you! I cursed at him secretly.

If I found out he had something to do with Sabrina, I would not hesitate to stab him in his chest. Fated mates or not.

All my life, my sister protected me, but when it was my tasked to do the same, I failed.

“I am only asking you where we should go,” I answered back.

His frown deepened. He was breathing hard. His hands trembled while glaring at me.

Did he think that was enough to scare me away? The Lycan king would do better than that. I no longer cared what happened to me as long as I could find Sabrina.

The Lycan King inhaled deeply before answering, “Carriage. Palace.”

And he turned his back to me.

I went after him as if I was his dog following him.

Sabrina. I will find you no matter how difficult it will be.

There was no turning back now.

There was no point in trying to run away if I changed my mind. I wouldn’t be able to do it because the cuff and escaping was the last thing I would do right now.

I had to talk to the king’s personal attendant. Secretly. Without King Elio’s knowing.

“Eyes on the way,” he ordered.

I jumped and hurried.

Why did he always do a great job of scaring me? And how did he know I was looking everywhere? Except him?

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”

His shoulders were broad, and the way he carried himself was outstanding. His steps were lighter and more confident. His limp barely shows.

I wonder what kind of accident he got into.

That’s not important right now, Flora.

Right.

It was not.

I clutched the cloak tighter and hugged it around my body. It totally covered all my nakedness, protecting me from the cold. The memories of standing naked in front of the crowd dawned on me and made me hot all over. Embarrassment threw me off guard, making me hug the cloak tighter than usual.

I watched as every person I met bowed at the Lycan king with fear in their eyes as if committing a single mistake would get them killed. I never think twice that the Lycan king won’t do it. I mean the killing. Or was I only getting hasty in my judgment?

The Lycan King did not even bother throwing me his glance again as if he did not care if I escaped. Or maybe he didn't even care about me. Or me being his mate.

Still giving me the cold shoulder, we reached the carriage, and the woman was already waiting for us. What was her name again? It was already at the tip of my tongue, but I could not voice it out.

“Go to the other carriage,” he instructed the woman. “You,” he said, pointing at me. “Ride in the same carriage. With me,” he commanded.

The woman nodded and hastily left us as if she was scared that I would tell the Lycan king that we were in the same pack.

With my hands under my cloak, I clenched my fist. That woman was avoiding me. She could not look me in the eyes.

Five years ago, at least ten unmated females pulled out from the pack, including Sabrina and the woman. But why was she the only one besides the Lycan king?

“Stop standing there!” the Lycan King roared. “You are wasting my time! I never thought I bought an idiot slave. All you have is a body, but you don’t have a brain,” he insulted.

Fuck you!

How dare you insulted me?

His Majesty was already inside, waiting for me, which should never happen. It should be the servant who would wait for the king, not the other way around.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” I exclaimed and hurried inside even if I wanted to punch him.

Presence of mind, Lora. We do not want the Lycan King to change his mind about buying us.

I sat opposite him.

“Return to the palace,” he barked an order to the driver, and I felt the carriage moving.

I never knew how much this journey would take. In the first place, I never had been to the kingdom of Liekos.

“Name?”

I jumped when I heard his voice.

“Flora, Your Majesty,” I answered hastily. “Flora ‘Lora’ Hernandez.”

He stared at me longer as if he was trying to uncover the mystery behind me.

“So, you are the mate I was looking for,” he spat.

I stilled.

That was the statement I was waiting for. “I-is that a bad thing, Your Majesty?”

Elios leaned back and threw his leg on the other while folding his arms in front of my chest. 

Something tells me that being his mate was a bad thing. Which means no one could help me now except myself.

“I don’t want anything to do with you,” he said as honestly as possible. “An omega? A slave? You do not even look dignified.”

The feeling was mutual! I hated being paired to you. Everyone would hate me for a having a king as his mate.

“You’re rejecting me, Your Majesty?”

“No. I have to keep you around.”

“Why?”

“Too many questions. You are annoying.”

I gritted my teeth. “I have the right to know. Technically, I should be your queen by now since I am your mate,” I exclaimed.

I did not know where I found the courage and audacity to say those words. In all honesty, I did not care about whether I became a slave or a queen as long as I got to find Sabrina.

He laughed. Not heartily, but it felt like it was coming from a devil incarnate. “Queen, you say?” he asked, leaning towards me. His breath fanned against my face, and his gray eyes looked at me with boredom.

“Y-yeah… b-because I am your mate, Your Majesty. The law only allowed the one whom you will proclaim your queen should be your mate.”

“Ah. So, you know a lot of laws, now? Did you study about it.”

No. I was more interested in teaching how to defend myself.

Be kind, Keira. You needed someone to this man.

“It’s not like that, Your Majesty.”

“What’s your name again?” he asked, brushing his fingertips on my cheeks.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Flora ‘Lora’ Hernandez,” I whispered, nearly forgetting how to breathe.

His fingers stopped before he put them beside him.

“Flora. You remind me of the flower garden, which was Eva’s favorite.”

Eva? As far as I know, it was the woman our pack killed, thinking she was a vessel that would destroy the Lycan kingdom. It was his mate.

“Do you know what you will do with me now, Your Majesty? I will do anything to stay in your kingdom, even if it means you will make me your slave.”

“Slave?” he laughed. "Is that the worst that you can think of?"

I scowled.

Being a slave was the worst that could happen to someone. Free men would constantly belittle them and bully them. He had never experienced being one, so he could not put himself in the situation.

"What do you suggest, Your Majesty?"

He leaned away and threw his gaze outside. His eyes became sad and had a far-away look.

The Lycan king quickly shifted his mood.

"Leaving the person behind you in the living is the worst that could happen," he mumbled.

That did not answer my question.

He smirked.

I peered outside and saw nothing but an endless pile of rocks.

What was wrong with him? Was he truly mad, as they said?

"Your Majesty."

"Shut up. I am thinking about what I will do with you," he answered. His eyes went back to me. "Be on alert. This place is notorious for having a lot of rogue bandits. Tell me if you happened to notice them."

And he closed his eyes.

Rogue bandits? They were known to be cold and soulless without having any ounce of humanity left on them. All that remained was their beastly side, who gave in to their bloodlust. Their first intention was to inflict pain and terror.

My heart hammered against my chest.

That was not what would appease my mind right now.