CHAPTER THREE

It was exactly two weeks since Baku and his father visited Frank.  They had made preparations for Frank and his family to come over to Karak. They had a lot to discuss in the beautiful city of Karak. The D-day had finally arrived. Since the last visit Melnyk was excited to the extent sleep dared not to get close to his eyes. The plan was to go to Karak to visit Alpha Lord Haimi but all that lingered in Melnyk’s mind was his friend, Baku. He recalled the heartwarming conversation he had with his friend the last time he visited; the whole conversation was fresh in Melnyk’s retentive memory. He recalled how he spoke about his woes and troubles to his newly found friend, noticing that they lived in a completely different world from his friend. Melnyk recalled what someone had told him about destiny and how everyone has a different life and he should never judge anyone until he walks in their shoes. All that was aside, for what truly mattered to Melnyk Right now was that he just wanted to see Baku’s town and its castle, where he lived.  He was so excited about the tales his friend Baku had told him. They were marvellous enough to keep up all night. 

An undisputed fact in Frank’s house was that nothing escapes Melnyk’s mother; and as she observes her son, with his failed attempt to avoid eye contact with her, she finally voiced her concern

“Melnyk, you don’t look like someone that has slept even for a minute”

“Mother I did” Melnyk answered as he tries to walk away.

His effort to walk away was halted as she blocked his way and demanded he looks at her. Melnyk raised his face to look at his mother and she saw the residue of last night in his eyes.

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” she asked, bothered for her son’s well-being. Melnyk bent his head in shame. “Good, take your bath, maybe you will feel a bit better” She added.

Afterwards, in his room which looked like a typical boys' room, with clothes that were misplaced. Melnyk was dressed up in his favourite brown trousers, and a blue shirt to match his sanders; he stood in front of the gigantic mirror that captured his whole being, he admired himself for a while and decided to join the carriage that was waiting for his Royal Highness.  Melnyk was still the champion when it comes to being the last to get ready. He went outside and found his father dressed in armour sheathing his emerald sword, and his mother looking as beautiful as always. His mother was wearing a green dress with a spread flare at the end and it kind of matched her eyes, she was beautiful even a blind man could attest to that. 

The whole family with a few guards rode nonstop until midday, They finally made a stop in a town. For a child who has never been outside his town, Melnyk marvelled at the size of the town and was certain, that this was bigger than where he was from. “Father, is this Karak?” The curious Melnyk asked. He had no idea how far, Baku’s town was so his father was certain, there will be a lot of questions on this journey. Frank smiled at his son and said  

“No son, this here is Alcasa, it is the domain of Alpha Lord Dormana,” he replied with a smile on his face. Melnyk will soon find out why his father smiled widely. 

“Alpha Lord Frank, welcome to my humble home” The bass voice of a man in shorts called out.  His name was Lord Dormana.   Melnyk being the youngest boy in the room stared carefully at the man that had just called out to his father; he was a dark-skinned muscled man with piercings on his face, he was as tall as Melnyk's father, and everyone could tell he was handsome even with the decorations on his face. He walked towards Frank and said, “Alpha Lord Frank, my friend” He kissed Frank on the cheeks, and hugged him.

 “How are you, Dorma?” Frank asked. 

“I have been bored, nothing much is happening in Alcasa, you know?” He smiled sheepishly. 

“Enjoy the peace my Alpha Lord” Frank teased him as he patted him on his back. Melnyk set his gaze upon the black handsome man that he had just met who seemed close to his parent. Lord Dorma turned towards mother, smiled and said 

“If it isn’t the ever beautiful Camila” he quickly moved towards her, held her and kissed her marvellous lips as she just stood.

 “Watch it Dorma” Frank’s jealousy was about to get the better part of him as he gave Lord Dorma a disgusted look.

“I am still hurt that you chose him over me,” Dorma said, as he threw his gaze towards Frank, and added

 “Oh calm down, you got the prized possession even Azuul smiled towards your victory” Everyone except the surprised Melnyk, busted out in hysterical laughter. 

“Melnyk, my boy-- come and hug your supposed father” he opened his arms wide. Melnyk sluggishly walked over and hugged him. 

“Let's go inside”, he signalled to the servants, Get the horses. 

“We are not staying long, we are heading to Karak”  Melnyk looked towards his father who was trying to cut short the little acquaintance he was getting from this strange, yet friendly face that he had just met. 

The palace was what heaven will look like if it was on earth, it was marvellous and beautiful. The inside of the huge castle was architecture at its zenith. Lord Dorma was a man of taste and Melnyk would have whispered all this but he was tucked deep into the arms of Lord Dorma and was certain he could hear even the smallest whispers If he dared to say anything.

“Business with Haimi?”Lord Dormana asked as he broke the silence.

“Yes, something like that” Frank answered as he held his wife’s hands, as they walked with elegance. They all sat down at the dining table, which was situated in the middle of the dining hall, it had numerous seats and if everyone decided to have two chairs at intervals amidst each other, they will still be enough for everyone. They sat next to each other as they devoured roasted lamb and discussed. Melnyk sat estranged, observing the room and people going about. Though his father mentioned something about Lord Dorma not having a mate, there were a lot of women present in the palace. They all laughed a lot as the conversions went on for hours; The observant Melnyk discovered how happy his father looked happy with what seemed like he was best of friends with Alpha Lord Dormana. 

“I like this your kid, if only you give me him and go make another one,” Lord Dorma laughed.

“Get yourself a mate, and make your own, Dorma” Frank said. The Carriage was already waiting for the visitors outside.

“It was nice to see you, my friend,” Alpha Lord Dormana said.

“Me too,” Frank replied.

“Camila, Camila, Camila, it is always a pleasure to look at your beautiful face.” This time he did not aim high, he just decided to settle for a  kiss on her palm. 

“Thank you, my Alpha Lord,” Camila smiled politely and got into the carriage. The black man turned towards Melnyk and smiled. Lord Dorma collected a dagger from the closest guard.

“This is my gift to you, may you use it wisely,” he said as he handed the dagger.

“Thank you my Alpha Lord,” Melnyk said.

“Oh please call me Dorma, you are my son too,” He look at Frank and smiled. The pleasantries came to a halt as the visitors continued to Karak

    Finally, they arrived at Karak. Melnyk was spellbound at the magnificent city that stood in his front as the carriage made its way through the entrance of the town. The gates were wide open, as the city was flooded with people moving in a hurry, everyone seemed like they had a goal to achieve and time was their enemy as they tried so hard to keep up. Melnyk in his entire life had never seen this many people before, but that was not what occupied his mind, for at that moment… the buildings that had been erected in this city of Karak left him gaping at the beauty of architecture, he wondered how they made numerous tall yet beautiful buildings, maybe there was a tall man that executed this herculean task, he needed to ask his friend Baku how buildings like this were being built.

    After a few minutes of journeys in the city of Karak, they finally made it to the doors of the palace, Melnyk alighted, looked at the tower in the palace and his head was already facing towards the sky, struggling with the sun's rays. Camila closed her son’s mouth and adjusted his head with a smile, and they all walked into the palace buildings.