CHAPTER FOUR

We get to the guest wing of the palace where I've never been allowed into before.

“I-I can't be in here.” I say to the warm large man still carrying while struggling weakly to get down. 

“Why?” He asks genuinely confused.

“I'm not allowed in here.” I whisper and he looks more confused before his eyes glaze over like he's caught up in a mind link.

“The King need- command you to be here.” Is the only explanation I get as he continues to walk.

What does the King want from me, does he have a more painful death in mind? Why would he release me?

The large man walks into a room and drops me onto a bed.

“My name is Kyle.” He introduces me after setting me down and I blink. “Second in command to the Alpha King, it's a pleasure to finally meet you.” He says bowing his head and I gasp and lean further into the bed. I look at him like he's crazy.

I try to ignore his bizarre words, his stoic face from earlier now suddenly switches into a warm small smile and I nearly choke. What's the matter with him? Why would the King's Beta carry me and deem me worthy enough for an Introduction.

“I-Ivy.” My brain rushes to remember my manners and his eyes glaze over again the moment I say my name.

“The King doesn't want the Ravenmoon pack members anywhere near her, get female's from our pack to bathe and feed her.” The beta instructs, his face suddenly contorting into immediate anger and it disappears as quickly.

“I'll leave you to rest Lu- Miss Ivy.” He smiles before leaving.

I'm too exhausted to ponder on the level of confusion happening, surely he didn't leave me to really rest in here. I sit unmoving, anxious on the bed waiting to be dragged outside and beaten.

Two elderly women and a young one about my age walk into the room.

“Miss.” They all greet me like I was someone worthy. I remain unmoving and mute and they all move further towards me, making me feel more anxious and suffocated.

One of the older ones begin to gently rip my dress but there wasn't anything gentle about taking off someone's mode of decency. My heart begins to beat erratically again, this time for a different reason than the fear of being ambushed and killed.

“What a-are you doing?” I ask, my eyes wide.

“The King ordered you to be bathed and fed.” She says emotionlessly.

“I-I can do it myself.” I say softly holding the remains of my dress together.

“The Alpha King commanded.” She repeats more tensely.

My heart will not calm down, I’d rather they drag me out than let them pull off my dress. 

I shake my head in disagreement, not having enough guts to vocally disobey the King.

“I'm fine really, I do not need a bath.” I try to smile at that.

The second older woman's eyes glaze over and In seconds, the tension in the room switches, I smell him before I even see him. 

My spikes rise, my anxiety increases and it begins to get harder to breathe.

The strong oak door clicks open quietly and he walks in like a dark shadow.

“Leave.” His powerful voice commands calmly and the three women scurry out. I try to get up to follow them but my useless weak body and torn dress disagrees with me.

The King walks quietly towards me.

“Not you.” He states.

My anxiety quickly turns into fear and then terror and the loud howling sound from the training grounds appears again, resounding deep in my head.

I hold my head down struggling to make it stop crying out in fear of what's happening to me.

A soft touch on my cheek filled with tingles and sparks instantly stops the howling sound and I breathe out in relief leaning further into the divine gentle touch but my eyes fly open when I realize the hand attached to the touch is the King and I-I’m in his lap, how did I get into this position?

I struggle to run off but he doesn't let me.

“You need a bath my sweet.” He whispers gravely in my ears and for some crazy reason I nearly moan out, my eyes wide at yet another unfamiliar, so out of character feeling.

I shake my head, my fear and anxiety returning ten folds. He cannot see it, I cannot allow anyone to see it.