Prey to his peridot eyes

That son of a bitch!

"Cerebrius, the king of the vulture clan graces your presence, the great Varkish the third."

Cerebrius then clapped his hands and bowed as respect. His eyes slid over and met mine. He winked.

"You may raise your head Cerebrius and don't feel pressured, you are a guest here!"

Cerebrius's flirtatious gaze then turned stormy as he looked at Varkish's hand which held mine. He then backed away and clicked his tongue in annoyance.

My whole body felt as if it were on fire from the amount of anger that I held for this man. I rolled up my silk sleeves and walked up to him. The closer I got, the more my anger began to melt away.

When I was swung over his shoulder I didn't have as much of a look at him as I did now.

I swear on the Animaliari Kingdom Goddess Jeanine that he must be the most handsome man that exists. His golden eyes felt like they were trying to drag me into a pool of gold. I found myself unable to look anywhere else. They were framed with long black eyelashes that would put mine to shame. His sharp features refined and royal framing his pearly white skin. But what made my body tingle with awe were his luscious lips which circled up with his sharp incisors.

His tall and broad torso was draped with a silk golden blouse with the top buttons opened. His legs dressed in black jeans and short heeled black boots adorned with crystals covered his feet.

I looked back at his face. I didn't notice that I had walked within an arm distance away from him. He was smirking as he looked at me. My face flushed and my body warmed in embarrassment.

I put my hands on my cheeks. Cerebrius leaned in and took my sweaty palms in his. He smiled as he leaned in closer and whispered,

"Well, well. As expected of my prey, she can be marinated and dressed well. I almost want to you eat you up right now if it weren't for the audience."

"You fiend!"

I pulled my hands away and attempted to slap him. His hand then clasped mine once more. He then slid his hand up to intertwine my fingers with his. I was in awe. I am known as the leading war strategist and hound on the battlefield who can understand any language no matter the clan. Yet this man was confusing me more than the ancient Animaliari language itself!

I looked to his smug smirk with disdain and spit on the ground next to me. He then threw back his head and roared in laughter. My heart skipped a couple of beats. Even his laugh was gorgeous, what the hell? I felt so flustered that it wasn't normal. I looked at Varkish and winced. His expression was thunderous. When he noticed me looking he waved happily.

Varkish then walked over. The heel of his boots striking the glass floor below with great strength.

"Well Cerebrius to what may I owe this visit of yours?"

Cerebrius looked at me before turning to answer Varkish.

"I am here today to inquire about a possible alliance."

Varkish's eyes widened and his melodic laugh filled the hall once more.

"Alliance? Are you in any position to ask for an alliance after what your clan has done to the fox,elephant, and particularly blue moth clan?"

All the hair on the back of my neck rose as Varkish's voice grow more and more angry. It was the beginning of a storm. I looked to see the expression on Cerebrius's face.

Cerebrius then suddenly looked at my bare leg which showed from the silt in my silk dress. He bit his lip then winked at me forming the words of "I love it" with his mouth. I flushed once more and turned my face away from him. At this rate I was going to turn into a large tomato by the end of this meeting.

That aside Cerebrius's proposal of an alliance with the elephant clan did not surprise me. I actually expected it. The elephant clan is the strongest clan and most loyal after the wolf clan. If someone had them in their side in a possible war the victor is already predestined.

I then looked at Varkish and remembered my previous question.

"Varkish?"

Varkish then unfurrowed his eyebrows and smiled at me.

"Yes Cherura?"

I felt a chill run down my back. I looked back only to see Cerebrius's expression. He truly looked like the "devil" as he is known to be. I still wonder what made him this way. Has Varkish angered him by what he had said?

"Varkish, I wanted to know why and how I came here. The elephant clan isn't necessarily the closest clan to the fox clan after all."

Varkish looked at Cerebrius then motioned me over. He then whispered into my ear.

"Cherura you and I both know that as an unmarked you are vulnerable to mistreatment by others. I was the one who brought you here after learning of your brother's betrayal."

I backed away with clenched fists. He was right. My whole life I have been mistreated by my parents and others due to not being born with the mark that all citizens of the Animaliari Kingdom are born with. This mark allows the clan to have enhanced power in that one section of their body. The fox clan has it on their calves for enhanced running. The owl clan have it on their foreheads as they have enhanced brains and thinking.

I was born without a mark. Thus my legs have never been enhanced. I was always slower than others and sloppier in my movement. So I trained. Day and night I sparred with myself and ran until I became quick in my own. I studied to have an enhanced brain without a mark. Having a power doesn't make one special after all.

I suddenly felt a hand yank me backwards. I then fell on something hard. I looked back to see Cerebrius holding me close to his chest. His eyes now squinted and holding a certain rage inside of them as he looked at Varkish.

"Now Varkish the third, will you agree to my proposal or will you wage the life of this girl with your refusal?"

For t he first time in my life I saw fear flash in Varkish's eyes. I then nodded to him. Varkish smiled and answered Cerebrius.

"I will refuse and wager Cherura's life, Cerebrius."

.............

Thank you so much for reading everyone! I hope you liked it❤️ please stay safe❤️