04. Battle

I was thankful that I was able to prepare myself for situations like this. Five years ago, after Sabrina went missing, it was my goal to train myself so that I would be able to defend myself and fight if there came a time that the situation asked for it. 

Just like now.

Leaping towards the fight scene, I forced my paws to run as fast as I could to close the distance between the rogues and the Lycan King's personal attendant.

Iris was all smiles as her furs danced with the wind.  

Another shout from the woman. 

The rogues dragged the Lycan king's personal attendant, pulling her hair in the process. The woman cried in agony while trying her best to fight them, but they were strong. 

Back in the pack, all she did was do some cleaning duties, but she never had the chance to learn self-defense. 

Damn. 

Why did she not shift into her wolf form? Was she wolf-less?  Her wolf could help her defend herself. 

The two men were so busy yanking her that they failed to notice my presence. Using the opportunity, I lunged at them and tore their limbs one by one. Their cries of pain were like music in my ears as they breathed their last breath. 

I loathed men who prowled on the weak. . Especially women. 

The woman fell, shock, fear evident in her eyes as she stared at me. Putting her hands in front of her chest, she cried, “Please! I'm begging you. Do not hurt me!” 

My chest tightened at her, please.

How could Elio stomach watching his people in this condition? 

I wagged my tail, silently telling her we were on the same side. It seemed she understood my message. She tried to calm herself, gulped, and nodded. 

I created a connection between us, entered her mind, and used our mind link. 

‘Stay here while I kill the enemies.’

She stared at me with wide eyes. ‘Be safe. The rogues are ruthless.’

Giving her a small smile, or at least that was what I was trying to do, I turned my back and ran towards another group who dared to attack the Lycan King. 

Instead of fighting the enemies, he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Unmoving. He was watching me with those gray eyes. 

Did he want to die?

He was the foolest king I ever knew. 

He snapped his finger and pointed in my direction. 

No. It was not. He was watching me to see if I would do my duty of protecting him or not. He was ordering me—his mate, to defend him instead of the other way around. 

I bared my fangs.

One rogue was already on the carriage's roof, pulling his sword. The Lycan king was still. Unbothered by the danger he might be facing. 

I heard a yelp make me turn around. It was the woman. She tripped. She was shaking but safe. 

Turning back my focus to the Lycan king, he was checking his nails.

I wonder if my alpha did a great job serving a fool like him.

Sprinting, I lounged at the rogues and ripped their throats one by one, giving them the fastest kill. They fell motionless, and they landed with a thud. 

Breathing heavily, I landed on all four and glanced at King Elio, then back to my surroundings. All the enemies were killed, and some of his people were wounded but not killed. Someone helped the woman to his feet—one of the Lycan king’s warriors, perhaps.  

Lycan King Elio clapped his hands slowly and laughed. "Good job, Flora. This must be the reason why the Moon Goddess gave you to me. You can fight better than my warriors. I can train you to become my assassin. What do you think?"

He would be the best job for that, but I was afraid that was not my focus for now. 

Glaring at him, I shifted back into my human form, bathing in blood. Not mine. My body felt heavy from fighting the rogues, and I had difficulty catching my breath. But the bastard? He just sat in the carriage.

"We met because we are mates," I answered. “And no. I don’t want to be your killing machine.”

My Father would be devastated if he learned his precious daughter was killing lives instead of saving them.

“Let’s see about that.” 

Realization dawned on me.

I was perfectly naked, standing in front of him! 

My cheeks felt hot and covered my breast and down there.

Desire passed in his eyes before he vanished. “Please do not look at me, Your Majesty,” I said through gritted teeth.

I thought he would never listen to my pleas, but he looked away. 

He had an excellent way of surprising me. 

Lycan King Elio threw the cloak in my direction and caught it quickly. Wasting no time, I wrapped it around my body, not breaking eye contact. 

“I’m decent, Your Majesty. Thank you,” I mumbled. 

He watched me again. "Buying you with a few hundred of gold was not a bad deal. Are you an assassin in your pack?"

"Assassin? I am the pack doctor's daughter, and because of your stupid law, I left my father against my will and became a slave. Is it my fault that you never came to Howling Pack? If you do, I will never be sold in the auction house."

"Finding my second-chance mate never encountered my mind, woman. The kingdom is peaceful without a queen by my side. And it's not my fault why you never stepped out of your pack and met someone."

I balled my fist. "You had forbidden us from going outside."

Only the alpha and his chosen subordinates were allowed to go out and, of course, with the permission of the  Lycan king.

"Did I? I no longer remember."

My mouth gaped open. 

"Hop in. We will continue our journey. The next road will be less problematic. Tidy yourself. I don't want to smell the dirty and stinky scent of the rogues around you."

I stared wide-eyed at the Lycan King. 

And just like that, the Lycan King dismissed me without even being concerned about whether I was wounded.