Two Days Later
Two days and the King had not returned. What kind of king does that to his mate?
She had been in the chamber alone for the past two days. Except from when she gets to eat breakfast with everyone in the castle which was optional. The first time she did, she swore to herself never to anymore.
The previous morning
"My lady..." A soft knock interrupted Seren's morning ritual of staring out the window, willing King Alaric to appear on the horizon. She opened the door to find a young woman about her age with warm brown eyes and auburn hair pulled back in a neat braid. Unlike the other servants who practically trembled in her presence, this one smiled genuinely.
"I'm Elara," the girl said with a small curtsy. "I've been assigned as your personal maid. I was wondering if you'd like a tour of the castle before breakfast? It's easy to get lost in these halls."
Seren's face lit up. Finally, someone who didn't look at her like she might spontaneously combust. "I'd love that. And please, just call me Seren."
"Oh, I couldn't—"
"I insist," Seren said firmly. "I have a feeling I'm going to need at least one friend in this place." Since it turns out I might just be alone for the rest of my life being mated to a man like this, she thought.
Elara's smile widened as she shook her head. "Perhaps, you do not know the kind of person our King is yet. I'd love to stay alive while working here."
Seren's face went completely still, her eyes widening in genuine shock. The casual way Elara spoke about staying alive, as if being too familiar with the King's mate was a death sentence.
"What... what do you mean?" Seren asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Elara seemed to realize she'd said too much. Her cheeks flushed pink as she fidgeted with her apron. "I just... His Majesty values proper protocol, that's all. He doesn't like... informality." She cleared her throat. "Please, let me show you the castle."
Seren nodded, already dressed in one of the long royal gowns they had laid out for her. The fabric felt heavy on her skin, but she had to get used to them.
They began in the north tower, where Seren's chambers were located. "This is the royal wing," Elara explained as they walked down a corridor lined with portraits of stern-faced kings and queens. "The King's chamber, though he rarely uses them for sleeping. Prefers his study, from what I hear."
"Does he join the general breakfast?" Seren asked, trying to sound casual.
"Not often," Elara laughed. "His Majesty likes being alone. He takes his meals in his study when he's here, which isn't often. Always out hunting or dealing with border disputes."
She paused, glancing at Seren with a mixture of pride and wariness. "Speaking of border disputes, you're aware our King is the most powerful Alpha amongst the four tribes, right? Three now, as he took over one and brought them all under the Wolflands."
Seren's steps faltered slightly. "He... conquered another tribe?"
"The Eastern Ridge Pack, now called Eastern Wolflands" Elara nodded, her voice taking on the tone of someone recounting a well-known tale. "About ten years ago. They were causing trouble, raiding our borders, stealing livestock. King Alaric gave them no warnings and marched his army to their territory threatening to destroy them"
"And then, what happened?"
"Eventually," Elara said with a slight shrug. "After he defeated their Alpha in single combat, they submitted. Now they're one of our strongest allied packs.
They descended a grand staircase, and Seren marveled at the castle's sheer size. "Does his brother join? Prince Darius?"
"Prince Darius? Not at all" Elara's expression grew fond. "He's only always in the library or out hunting like his brother King Alaric. Though when he is here, he prefers to eat with the staff rather than the elders. Says we're more entertaining."
Seren found herself smiling at that. It sounded exactly like something Darius would say. The prince had certainly been entertaining during their brief encounter, charming, irreverent, and completely different from what she'd expected of royal werewolves. But then again, that kind of warmth could easily be a facade.
They walked through another corridor, this one lined with tall windows that offered glimpses of the sprawling castle grounds. Seren could see training yards in the distance, where even now, figures moved in what looked like combat practice.
"How long is the King usually out hunting?" she asked
"Usually two days to a week," Elara said, leading her through a gallery hung with massive tapestries. "Depends on what he's tracking. Could be rogues, could be raiders from the southern territories. The kingdom's been restless lately."
"A war?" Seren asked, her steps slowing as concern crept into her voice.
"We usually don't get details about that, only the elders, except if it's something everyone needs to know about," Elara explained, her tone growing more serious.
"Everyone?"
"Yes, my lady. The town is just a few kilometers from the castle," Elara said, gesturing toward one of the tall windows they passed. "When there's real danger, the King ensures the townspeople are warned. They look to him for protection."
Seren absorbed this information quietly. It painted a different picture of Alaric than the monster she'd imagined, a king who actually cared about protecting his people, not just ruling them. The thought was both comforting and unsettling.
"So he's not just out there hunting for sport," she murmured.
"Oh no, my lady. His Majesty takes his duties very seriously. Sometimes too seriously, if you ask me," Elara said with a small smile. "The man barely sleeps when there's trouble brewing."
They passed through the great hall, where servants were already setting up for breakfast. The space was enormous, with vaulted ceilings and long tables that could seat hundreds. At the far end, a high table sat on a raised platform, clearly where the royal family and elders would dine.
"The kitchens are through there," Elara pointed to a set of double doors. "The library is in the east wing, Prince Darius practically lives there when he's not hunting. The training grounds are outside, though I'd avoid those unless you want to see a lot of half-naked werewolves sparring."
Despite her worries, Seren found herself laughing. "Good to know."
"Oh!" Elara's eyes lit up with sudden excitement. "I almost forgot—there's going to be a grand ball when the King returns. To properly introduce you as the new royal member, basically accepting you as his mate. The whole kingdom will attend. It's going to be magnificent!"
Seren's stomach dropped. A ball. Where she'd have to pretend to be madly in love with a man who couldn't even be bothered to meet her. "That sounds... overwhelming."
"Don't worry," Elara said with a conspiratorial whisper. "I'll help you prepare. And between you and me, werewolves are simple creatures. Their attention can be drawn by sex, just get him to lie with you and you're his."
"Elara!" Seren gasped, her cheeks flaming.
She was still a virgin. Back home, there were no wizards, only witches. Everything she knew about relationships came from stolen romance books hidden under her mattress. In those stories, she'd imagine her future husband to be a handsome, soft-eyed human. But fate clearly had other plans.
"What? It's true!" Elara giggled. "Werewolves are very... physical. The bond makes it even stronger. One night in his bed and he'll be completely devoted."
Seren wasn't sure whether to be mortified or intrigued by this information. "I... I don't think it's going to be that simple."
"Trust me," Elara said with a knowing smile. "I've seen it happen before."
The breakfast hall was already buzzing with activity when they arrived. Seren took her place at the high table, where five elders were already seated. Elder Gareth nodded politely, while Elder Vera studied her with sharp eyes.
"Lady Seren," Elder Isla greeted her warmly. "I trust you're settling in well?"
"Yes, thank you," Seren replied, accepting a cup of tea from a servant.
A new face joined the table, a blond woman with calculating eyes.
"Lady Seren," the woman said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm Elder Maggi. I was just telling the others how... interesting it is to have a mate chosen for our King."
"Interesting?" Seren asked carefully.
"Well, it's just that we've had such lovely candidates over the years," Elder Maggi continued, cutting into her eggs with unnecessary force. "Lady Catherine from the Western Mountain Pack, for instance. Beautiful, strong, perfect breeding lines. She would have made such a suitable Luna."
"And Lady Evangeline from the Southern Coastal Clans," Elder Fabian added. "Accomplished in both warfare and diplomacy. A true partner for a king."
Seren felt heat rise in her cheeks. The message was clear, they thought she was inferior to these other women. Not suitable. Not worthy.
"Of course," Elder Maggi continued with false sweetness, "I'm sure the Moon Goddess had her reasons for choosing... differently."
"I'm sure she did," Seren replied evenly, though her grip on her teacup tightened.
"It's just that typically, a Luna needs certain... qualities," Elder Fabian said. "Combat training, pack politics, the ability to produce strong heirs. These things matter in our world."
"And you think I lack these qualities?" Seren asked, her voice dangerously quiet.
"Oh, I'm sure you have your own... talents," Elder Maggi said with a dismissive wave. "It's just that witches and werewolves have such different... priorities."
The subtle insults continued throughout the meal, each elder taking turns to mention some other woman who would have been "more suitable" or "better suited to royal life." By the time breakfast ended, Seren was seething.
She excused herself as quickly as possible, walking swiftly back to her chambers with Elara trailing behind.
"My lady, are you alright?" Elara asked as they reached the royal wing.
"I'm fine," Seren said through gritted teeth. "Just... I don't think I'll be joining breakfast again."
"The elders can be... protective of their King," Elara said diplomatically. "And also very afraid of him" she added, "everyone is"
Seren managed a tight smile. "Thank you, Elara. But I think I'd prefer some time alone."
Elara gave a small curtsy. "Of course, my lady." She gently closed the doors behind her, leaving Seren in the quiet of her chambers once more.
-
Present moment
Now, two days later, Seren stood alone in her chambers, those words still echoing in her mind. She already had a mental image of King Alaric from everything she'd heard. But now she realized something that made her stomach twist, maybe everyone didn't fear her because she was a witch. What could one witch really do against powerful werewolves? No, they feared her because she was Alaric's... woman now.
The thought sent a chill down her spine. Just how dangerous was her fated mate?
A distant howl echoed through the castle walls, long and haunting and absolutely terrifying. It was followed by another, then another, until the very stones seemed to vibrate with the sound.
Seren's blood ran cold as she recognized what she was hearing; wolves returning from a hunt.
He's back.