CHAPTER FIVE

    

The convoy of King Sylvester rode through the dusty roads of Los Angeles, creating a scene that sent shivers down the spines of inhabitants of the town. Through the cobbled streets lined with a blend of new and old buildings that snuggled side by side, King Sylvester and his guards showed off the  notoriety that instilled fear in the hearts of inhabitants of the city.

The convoy was made of twelve battered vehicles. At the rear, was a gray van where I lay within the cage which formed the storage bay of the vehicle. Two guards sat, flanking me on either side, their faces shaded by shadows occasioned by the moonless sky.

The consistent hum of the engines from the cars synced with the thrum that sounded in my ears - the impact of the attack that earlier took place in the forest. Smarting from the brutal attack and regularly spat gobs of blood and phlegm onto the road. A tang of blood clung to my temple and my head throbbed with every jolt of the van when it hit a speed bump.

A deluge of thoughts flooded my head, creating a complex kaleidoscope of images. Betrayal, pain and hate played in my head a thousand times over. The faces of Derek, Amelia and  my horrible stepfather  all pervaded my senses, almost drinking me crazy.

Arriving at a gradient inclined at a gentle slope, loomed the massive castle ahead. Its gothic features were accentuated by its dark silhouette which exuded a sense of foreboding. The castles towering spires reached for the dark skies like sharp claws. It's perimeter  was fraught with a chain of floodlights that illuminated the entrance to the rambling grounds, casting eerie shadows on the stone clad high walls of the Alpha Kings fortress.

The vehicles rode into the massive concourse through the ornate, arched gateway that served as a means of access into the castle. Sentries manned the gates and ushered us in, I could not help but notice they were all armed to the teeth with a variety of weapons.

Soon the guards disembarked, flanking King Sylvester who was in the SUV that occupied a central part of the convoy. He watched as the two guards who flanked me, gripped my shackled arms and dragged me out of the vehicle and towards the building.

Among the several windows that were  conspicuous on the building's facade, I could notice a woman watching furtively from the window blinds behind the panes that were covered in mist.

Dragging me to the grand terrace, we arrived at the massive steel double doors of the castle, reliefs of werewolves battling it out in a duel evident on its exterior. The doors opened with an ominous creak, revealing a foyer that was dimly lit and lined with a number of sturdy stone columns. The chains clinked on the polished floor as the guards dragged my battered body through the cavernous space that led to a winding corridor.

Hunger pangs made my stomach churn. I yearned for a cup of water and some food.

King Sylvester, flanked by his guards followed me, their boots clopping disparately through the space.

We arrived at another steel door manned by a guard. Opening the door, the guards pushed me inside the room which was a cold, melancholic space. It possessed sparse furnishing, mainly a bed, a table chair and shelf containing several items.

King Sylvester made slow strides into the room with two guards by his side while the door was mildly shut behind him.

I was fagged out, completely drained of strength. I needed food and some rest, my body appearing pliant and subdued.

"So you intended running away from me?" He inquired in a cold voice, his booming cadence making my skin crawl.

I remained mum, responding with a distasteful stare.

He made a slow pace towards me and crouched close to where I lay, disconsolate and pathetic. He added with a hint of sarcasm that irked me.

"I admire your bravery. Showing off your strength as a potential Luna. But you have forgotten, I am the Alpha of all Alpha's. There is no werewolf on planet earth that can withstand my power. Many have tried and have fallen. You happen to be just that statistic that have failed." He paused to stare at my face which exuded a subtle hint of disdain. "I would advise you be a good girl and do as you are told. Okay?"

I was unresponsive.

He heaved himself up and walked to the door. At the doorway he said: "You would be provided with amenities for a warm bath as well as food and water by one of my loyal maids, Lorna. This stands out as one of my good deeds to my mate but I can see you feel otherwise. Ciao." He said, walking out of the room.

                  *****************

Lorna was a short, portly blond woman whose loyalty was not in doubt. True to King Sylvester's words, she came into the room, stripped and bathed me.

She carried me to bed where I lay, heavy, drained and weak. The obsequious woman made a sip of steamy tea while trying to restore my waning spirit.

"Take it easy my child, you are gonna be alright."

I stared at her feeling the  soothing warmth and comfort she radiated.

"I'll be honest," she added. "I've been in King Sylvester's service for the past two decades and I would tell you, he's quite a good man."

I winced at her admission. "Good? Why does he still go for a selection process yearly as a means of the repayment for his services?"

Lorna expressed a toothless smile: "He desires a mate for one thing which he lacks."

I inquired, curiousity piqued. "And what would that be?"

Lorna replied curtly: "He has no heir to the throne and that was why he chose you."

Her assertion sent my thoughts into a spin like a dervish.

"You mean he has no heir?"

Lorna nodded: "Not just a heir but a male child to advance the vision of the pack."

"which is?" I asked

"Global dominance." Lorna quipped instantly.

I blinked at her. While her admission may be true, I found it cumbersome to understand my involvement in all this.

Lorna seemed to be a mind reader and she aptly explained: "As an ambitious Alpha, taking over a larger part of the world would make no sense if there was no successor."

"And how has that got to do with me?"

Her assertion was emphatic. “Give King Sylvester a son.”

Despite my groggy state,  I found her assertion sickly. King Sylvester was a sadist and giving him a son would further bolster his futuristic plans.

I drained the vessel and watched Lorna take the mug and walk out of the room hurriedly.

Lorna in my opinion was cheap bait, designed to convince me into accepting King Sylvester as his mate. I wondered what Derek and Amelia as well as my step mother would do it they found out I was King Sylvester's mate. While I desired this, I didn't want to be King Sylvester's mate. While several possibilities played in my mind, I opted to remain indifferent however I was all alone, desolate and cold.