Chapter 4 The Dire Wolf King Vossler's Visit

Zaika's pov

Feeling frustrated by Sasha's refusal to run away with me to start anew, I went back to my balcony after she left me. Glancing out across the field I dumped the ice from the bag and watched the ice cubes scatter across the ground below. Looking sideways through the grassy field I could see a pile of broken soil where the young rogue was laid to rest. Frowning at Gallum's blatant disregard for another's life I shook my head and hissed between my clenched teeth.

"You have always known that the prince is an uncaring and abusive creature. Remember how he treated his palace servants when you visited him at his father's," Einar growled firmly in my mind.

"I know," I sighed and looked up at the afternoon sun. The sound of snapping twigs and rustling of vegetation could be heard echoing in the forest along with excited yips and howls. Tilting my head to listen to the calls I figured it was the king's guard. They were known to travel in large groups due to the king's fragile age and the rogue threat. His head guard was a huge Dire wolf named Bryce. He was the king's champion and fought the challenges made against him for his throne. From what Boris had told me Bryce was a huge muscled beast and even larger than I. Standing at six foot four inches and weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, I wasn't a small male. My wolf, Einar, was a gigantic wolf and we both were curious about this so-called champion of the king.

"You are stuck in your suite and won't get to meet the male," Einar reminded me. Grunting in my frustration I narrowed my eyes at the wolves exiting the forest.

"Maybe I should challenge the king's champion to be able to claim Sasha for my own, eh?" I suggested it to my wolf. Getting met with Einar's snort didn't boost my confidence any. Raising my hellfire-covered fingers made me grin.

"Bet Old Bryce can't do this," I smirked and released a small bolt of hellfire toward my patio doors. It sizzled a bit before extinguishing.

"I would be careful with that. Bryce is a well-seasoned warrior and surely has tricks up his sleeves," Einar growled. Turning back toward the Dire wolves coming from the forest I narrowed my eyes at the golden chains and harnesses that adorned the beasts.

"The wolves are dressed in gold and jewels," I stated in surprise. My wolf was chortling in my mind over my shock.

"They are the royal guard and the babbles identify them as such," Einar informed me. Leaning over the edge of the balcony my eyes widened at the huge gray Dire Wolf that broke through the perimeter. Its steel gray eyes looked up at me and I grinned.

"That must be the king's champion, Bryce," I muttered. The beast nodded its big furry head to me and I tilted mine in response.

"He acknowledged me, how intriguing. Wish we could have met with him but no, you have a soft heart for rogues," Einar snarled, causing me to raise my brow over his attitude. My name being called out pulled my eyes to my sister standing on her balcony. She looked breathtaking in her small sparkly ballet outfit. She was pointing toward the wolves and looked distressed. Gesturing for her to come to my room, I laughed seeing the two maids shuffling her back indoors. They were scolding her, surely about dirtying her slippers. Going back to watching the wolves below I witnessed them shift before my eyes and began dressing below. The lack of care about nudity was very evident in the Dire Wolf culture. Both males and females alike pranced around not caring about skin exposure. An older large male came trotting up between the others and shifted. He was handed his clothing by a younger male.

"That is Vossler, the king of the Northern Province," Einar informed me.

"Where did his champion disappear too?" I inquired as my eyes scanned the growing crowd. I watched my father embrace Vossler and Gallum shake his hand in greeting. When the king's yellow eyes glanced up at me curiously, I smiled and waved. Vossler nodded his head and pointed to me as he spoke to my father. Curious about what was being said I wasn't paying attention to the huge man being escorted by Boris approaching me from behind.

"Zaika, the head of the king's guard, wishes an introduction. Apparently, Ivan has told the king much about you, Boris said. Turning, my eyes ran up the mountain of a man and stopped when my eyes landed on his curious stare. Lifting my hand, for a handshake. Bryce tilted his head and spoke in rapid Russian as my hand disappeared in his. I could only pick out a few words but Boris was listening and nodding. Bryce then handed me a gold harness encrusted with precious stones.

"The king's champion wishes to give you the royal harness for your Epicyon wolf. He says he hasn't ever met a more impressive beast and requests that you don the special garment to the king's granddaughter's wedding," Boris explained. Raising my brow as I lifted the heavy harness I grinned.

"Please tell the champion I accept his gift and am honored by his thoughtfulness," I said to Boris.

"No need, I can speak five languages," Bryce said firmly and told me that we could converse more at the gathering below. I smiled back knowing that he was my ticket from remaining locked in my suite.

"I will inform your father," Boris smiled and escorted Bryce from my room. Rushing to my closet I searched for more suitable attire. I placed the golden harness on my shelf and dressed in black slacks and a dress shirt. Not bothering with a tie I headed back into my sitting area and waited to be escorted down. Just as I was about to sit my door opened to Gallum coming inside.

"Don't you ever knock?" I inquired bluntly. Grinning slightly he shook his head.

"You forget constantly that I am the prince of the Southern province and will become the king there after my father," he growled firmly. I gave him a bland look because I didn't give a shit.

"Don't eye me like that peasant," he snapped, causing me to chuckle at his narcissism. Running my fingers through my hair I glanced back at my door to see my father standing in the doorway.

"The king wishes you to join the festivities, apparently you made a good impression on his champion Bryce," he grumbled sourly. Grinning slightly I nodded.

"Bryce gave me a harness as well," I stated smugly, surprising them both.

"Well just don't sit there son! Get your ass downstairs!" Ivan asserted and threw his hands into the air as he exited. Laughing at him I stood and glanced at Gallum, "Come along you bastard." He glared at me and frowned.

"You are the bastard, Zaika. I know who my real father is!" he snarled. Rolling my eyes at his cheekiness, I ignored his sour mood and went to hold my door open for him.

"I am an orphan, not a bastard," I mumbled sarcastically as he walked past me. His yellow eyes narrowed at me.

"You are lucky your my friend or I'd plummet you," he replied. Smirking, I shot a bolt of hellfire toward his ass and chuckled when he jumped in pain.

"You fiend!" He shouted, causing me to laugh heartily. Putting my arm around his neck I smiled at him. We walked together to the banquet hall. My eyes scanned the large room and narrowed at my father sitting at a long high table positioned toward the stage. I could see Sasha standing off to the side, behind the curtain in the shadows wringing her hands nervously.

"Go on ahead. I must attend to something and will return in a moment," I said firmly as I pulled my arm back and went toward the narrow side hall that ran outside of the large room leading to the back of the stage. Waving at the stage workers, I shuffled towards the opposite side toward Sasha. Her eyes widened suddenly at seeing.

"Aren't you supposed to be locked in your room, bunny?" She inquired curiously. Grinning like a fool, I shook my head.

"The king requested my presence so I will get to watch you perform," I said softly. Sasha giggled and wrapped her slender arms around my neck.

"I am thrilled to have you in the audience. Now my worry will cease," she admitted as I rubbed her bare back.

"You will do great as you always do," I mumbled softly and pecked her cheek. The music started and I watched her go out onto the stage with renewed confidence. Smiling, I rushed quickly back to the hall so I could watch her from the high table. As I approached where the Dire King sat, his guards eyed me oddly before stepping out of my way. I could hear their muffled whispers but couldn't understand what they were saying. Ivan furrowed his brow at me, taking a seat between him and Gallum.

"You should have sat at the end Zaika, you are not royalty," he growled. Side-eyeing him, I put my index finger to my lips and pointed to the stage with the other hand. Huffing he turned and gave his attention to Sasha. Unbeknownst to me, Vossler was watching me closely with his hawk-like eyes as Bryce was speaking in his ear.