I wake up in the middle of the night, clammy with sweat. If i close my eys i can still feel the mind numbing pain and the scattered bodies.
I run a hand down my face. Its been a while since I've had nightmares.
Ever since my old Alpha stopped hitting me I'd been able to sleep a little better.
I caress the necklace I'm wearing made entirely out teeth.
Courtesy of heather.
"Can't sleep?"
My spine stiffened at the voice and I sit up abruptly.
Dante was sitting in a chaise just a few short feet from my bed.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that? What are you doing here?" I respond attempting to keep my voice level.
"Are you here to talk to me about Heather?"
He doesn't answer, instead he stands up and moves closer, staring down at me with those mesmerizing ocean blue eyes.
"How are you?" He asked.
"Like you care" I murmured looking away.
His reaction remained impassive.
"We need to talk."
I didnt respond.
"I need to leave." I asked instead.
He doesn't answer instead he placed his head on my hair and inhales.
The gesture, lining me with goosebumps.
"I have to return to my old pack."
"No."
His answer was firm and edgy.
"I need to see an old friend that hasn't been intouch. I'm afraid something has happened."
Lettie hadn't been responding to my calls.
But I can't very well tell him I'm going to the lycan fortress.
"My answer is still no."
"Make no mistake I was just telling you to give you a heads up. I wasn't asking permission." My voice was icy.
"I'm not here to fight with you, but you're not leaving this estate anytime soon whether you like it or not."
I shake my head and smile concedingly. "Really my king and how do you want to stop me? Lock me up?"
His fingers caress my hair and I move further into the bed putting distance between us.
"Or throw me in the dungeon like Heather?"
His eyes blazed with barely contained anger.
I knew I had hit a nerve.
"There will be a party tomorrow to celebrate the merge. you will be in attendance." He continued, looking way from me.
"Like hell." I spat.
"There will be some changes around the castle."
"Are you even listening to me?" I throw a pillow at him.
He snapped his eyes to mine and they threatened to tear me open. "Tread lightly, my queen."
"I have the right to leave." I breathe
He moved into the bed and grabbed my chin forcefully so I'd face him.
"You have no rights. You are mine. Everything you are is mine, and no threats of yours will ever change that.”
"Then why?!" I whispered in frustration stuggling against him
"Why are you grieving for Heather. Did you love her that much and no... don't you dare deny it because I've felt it every single day since her death. Your grief flows into me like waves and I can't stand it anymore!"
"We lost a child! Oh that's true I lost a child and you lost a lover. Goddess Dante! Why am I even here?!"
He said nothing, his face betraying nothing.
This was going nowhere.
"Get out." I order as calmly as I can as I push his hand off my face.
He lets me go just to pull me against his chest.
"Selene, try and order me around one more time," He breathes.
"...and you won't like the results."
I was turned on by the pheromones he was emitting but I masked it with rage.
"Do your worst." I spat.
He smiles down at me, but its not kind. Something from night terrors.
"Oh you have no idea."
My body betrays me as it calls to him, just as he reached the door.
"You can try escaping, but I will find you. I will never let you go."
***
I move my rook two paces up, efficiently evading Axel's queen.
I took in a breath of fresh air as I played a game of chess in the secluded garden behind the maze.
This freedom right here is something he'll never be able to take away from me.
"I dont think I'll ever understand this game." Xavier murmured bored as he stared at the chess pieces.
"That's because it requires, a proper working brain, of which you have none." Axel cleverly provided.
I chuckled softly and Xavier narrowed his eyes.
"Your highness, sometimes I think Axel is your favourite and I know how unbelievable that sounds, but its a possibility, seeing as he was born with this face." Xavier gestured to his face with a smile to back it up.
"I don't play favourites Xavier." I defend, and to further prove my statement...
"Checkmate." I say sweetly.
Xavier guffawed. Axel was stunned.
His eyes began analyzing the whole board.. His expression didnt change once he reached a conclusion.
"I would like a rematch your grace."
"Nope."
I wasnt sure I could beat him a second time. He was really good.
Xavier slapped his brother on the back. "You know brother I actually agree, you do need a functioning brain to play this game."
Axel was about to draw his sword on Xavier when his expression changed.
Two females entered the garden.
The twins stepped between me and them.
"Who are you and what is your business here." Axel asked with a glare.
They were wearing dresses that didnt look like they were from the North.
"I don't think you should take that tone with me." The strawberry blond smirked.
"I'm the Royal consort representing the Eastern territory and she is representing the West." She gestured to the nervous dark haired beside her.
Consort? Does that mean that there are consorts for the kings in every territory?
"We're living here under the protection and care of the Emperor himself." They both looked really proud of themselves.
Living here? Under the emperor's care?
Suddenly the memory of the disrespect I paid to the kings the other day flashed to mind.
I winced.
So this is what he meant by changes.
I laughed, catching the twins and girls off guard.
Emperor...sounded tyrannical.
The strawberry blonde glared at me and Axel pointed his sword towards her eyes.
''You're in the presence of her royal majesty, Queen of the North. I'll ask you to behave accordingly. "
Blood drains from the dark haired girls' face. The starwberry blonde on the other hand looked skeptical.
I ignore them both. I should speak with carlisle.
'You expect us to believe that she is the Queen of the North. The Empress. That's ridiculous." She scoffed as she stared at me from the foot up.
I surveyed what I was wearing. Baggy pants and a sweater. I thought I looked fine.
Apparently 'fine' doesnt look like a queen.
I wish I had time for this.
"Let's go guys."
I needed to find out why they're suddenly referring to Dante as emperor.
The strawberry blonde smirked as if she'd won some invisible contest.
I pass by her as I head directly in the palace.
"Its rude to leave without asking to be excused you know." She shouted.
I stopped and turned around.
I smile with my teeth. "I stopped them from killing you...take the win."
I leave and ignore whatever she said next.
I find Carlisle outside my chambers speaking with three maids.
They all bow as I approach.
"I'd like to speak with you Carlisle."
"Yes. Your majesty."
He dismissed the maids and I opened the door before he could grab it.
He narrowed his eyes at me.
I smile slyly.
He sighed. "It's a good thing you're here your majesty. We need to decide on a final design for your dress for the evening festivities."
"Yes, about that. What are we celebrating again?"
Carlisle looked shell-shocked.
"Its the celebration of the finality of the merge."
"And the merge being?" I urged on as I lounged on the first chair.
"The merge of all four territories into one. The werewolf kingdom." Axel answered.
"The king. Your husband is taking over as Emperor."
That made sense.
That would mean the consorts were given to him by each territory.
The bond howled its discontent.
I'm sure they're already ready to bear his sons, especially the strawberry.
If that's what he meant by his worst, then I wouldn't put it past him to name the one with the first child, Empress.
If he thinks this would affect me, then he should be prepared to fail miserably.
"Bring me the healer that treated me after the incident."