The Dark King.

A dull ache throbbed behind Selene's eyes as she blinked them open. Disorientation clung to her like a shroud as she tried to lift herself from the large comfortable bed.

"Easy now." A soft voice said.

Selene turned around and her gaze landed on a young woman perched by the bedside. She was pretty with brown curls that framed her face.

"Who… are you?" Selene's croaked dryly.

"My name is Channe." Channe paused in uncertainty as she realized she wasn't sure of what protocols to follow.

Alpha Zephyr's instructions had been simple: care for her, nourish her if she awoke.

Channe gently pressed Selene back against the plush pillows. "You need to rest," she murmured, her voice a soothing balm. "I'll be right back."

The door whispered shut, leaving Selene alone with a sense of unease. She forced herself to sit up, her body protesting with heaviness.

A sweeping glance confirmed that this room with its prominent River Pack crest, was the same one she'd woken up in before.

She tried to stand, but her limbs felt weak. Looking down, she saw that her skin had healed. Yet, the pain of the past torment lingered in her bones. The scars might be gone, but the memory was seared into her soul.

As always.

The door swung open again, and Selene's breath hitched. But it was only Channe, bearing a tray with food.

"You need to eat," Channe said, settling beside her.

Selene stared blankly. Channe offered a plate, but Selene turned her head away.

"You need nourishment. You've been unconscious for three days," Channe pleaded, her voice laced with concern.

"What's the point of eating when the worst is yet to come?" Selene rasped.

A wave of sympathy washed over Channe's face but it was quickly replaced by a gentle, encouraging smile.

"You've endured so much," she said. "Your body tells a story of strength. Please, don't surrender now."

Her words, simple yet powerful, resonated with Selene's weary spirit. "Besides," Channe added, a playful glint in her eyes, "I can tell you're famished."

Selene's stomach growled in reluctant agreement. But the sight of the proffered meat sent a wave of nausea through her. "Could I… could I have some soup?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Channe's eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a warm smile. "Of course," she said, rising. "I'll be right back."

As Channe disappeared, Selene's thoughts drifted to her father. Had he noticed her absence yet? She knew he would tear the world apart to find her.

When Channe returned with a steaming bowl of fragrant soup in her hands, she found Selene curled up on the bed, her breathing deep and even.

She was asleep.

==============================

Alpha King Hati sat motionless like a statue upon the obsidian throne.

It was a seat of power, carved from a single block of black stone. Intricate carvings of wolves, their fangs bared in silent snarls, adorned the armrests and back, lending the throne an air of savage majesty.

Long, raven hair cascaded down the king's back and a black mask, the visage of a snarling wolf, concealed his eyes and mouth. Despite his stillness, an aura of chilling power radiated from him, cold and predatory.

Clad in black, the finest furs and leathers imaginable, his garments were regal, yet subtly savage. His posture was rigid, shoulders pulled back as if bracing for a blow. One hand rested on the armrest of the obsidian throne, fingers idly tracing a delicate, obsidian claw that adorned the surface while the words of Monrel echoed in his mind: "Her absence is felt, My King."

The throne room doors opened, and guards marched in, revealing a trembling Omega, Ember. She fell to her knees, forehead to the ground.

The guards turned around and marched out as they had come in.

"My King." Ember cried.

"Where is my daughter?" Hati asked, his voice low but dangerous.

This was the second time she had seen him, which was as much as other members of the Royal pack could say.

"I went for her morning routine five days ago and she was not there, My King," Ember said shakily. "I told the Luna Queen immediately!"

There was a long moment of silence.

"Only a handful of people know about my daughter's existence. You were chosen because you were deemed worthy. For twenty years you have been her personal servant and yet you know nothing."

The Alpha King's voice rang loud and steady giving a calm demeanor.

"I'm sorry My King. The queen, she told me not to tell a soul ." She said in a shaky voice and bowed her head again.

There was another moment of prolonged silence before he spoke.

"So my daughter is missing."

"I fear so my King." She said trembling as she sobbed. "Please forgive me."

Again, another moment of silence.

"Do you have any useful information for me?" His voice thundered.

"There was a broken window, my king. I saw a piece of her engagement cloth too." She said desperately.

"So, you have nothing." King Hati said.

"I'm sorry, My King." She continued sobbing. She was terrified.

"Lyra." The King called.

The King's bodyguard, a tall scarred female werewolf stepped out of the shadows and Ember's body ran cold.

"Take the omega out. And let this be a lesson to her." He said.

Relief flickered across Ember's face. "Thank you, my King,"

Before she could finish, Lyra struck, a swift, brutal claw ripping through Ember's stomach. The Omega crumpled, gurgling and dying.

As Hati watched, unseeing, the doors opened again and Queen Ulva walked in.

"My King." She greeted him with a low bow once she was before him.

The smell of blood stung her nose and her eyes narrowed at Ember's dying form.

"You look gorgeous. As usual. " The King said waving his hand at her.

"Thank you, Hati," Ulva said keeping her chin up even though her heart was hammering in her chest.

Moment of Silence.

"What did you do wrong?"

A brief moment of silence.

"I don't understand." She said and when he glared at her, she added. "My King."

"You have become so proud, Ulva." He said and then laughed hysterically, a chilling sound.

Ulva could feel the darkness and his anger. She tried not to tremble.

"Tell me. Did you kill Selene?" The King asked and his voice sounded as dark as night.

"No, I didn't." She said as sternly as she could. "Ember reported to me that she was missing the day after her engagement. I came to tell you but that moon-cursed creature, Monrel would not let me see you. He said I had to report to him!"

Her voice was laced with desperation and it showed clearly the struggle to save herself.

Hati rose, twisting his rings, and walked to Ulva, standing inches away.

Ulva maintained her confident facade.

"Something this important, Ulva. You let it slip past me because of your ego." He traced her hair with a ringed finger.

"I'm sorry." She said with a hitch in her throat.

The King's adorned hand lashed creating a thunderous echo throughout the room, followed by a sharp crack of bone against flesh.

Ulva gasped and fell to the ground holding her bloodied scarred face.

The Royal doors opened yet again and a towering male werewolf of over 7 feet tall with a broad and chiselled chest came in.

"Ragna, perfect timing." The Alpha King welcomed ignoring his wife as she whimpered on the ground.

Ragna came forward and bent down on one knee with his head bowed in respect for the king.

"My daughter is missing. Find her." King Hati said calmly before adding in a dark tone. "You have never failed me. Don't start now."

Hati extended his hand, the rings glinting.

"I won't fail you, Your Majesty," Ragna promised before kissing the bloodied ring which left stains on his lips.

Then he walked out of the throne room.

Hati looked down at Ulva who was still whimpering in pain.

"You better hope I find her." He said.

Ulva was struggling.

How could she not? The rings were cursed with dark magic made of restless souls.

The pain stung and weakened one's inner wolf to the point of illness.

Luckily, he had only slapped her and Ulva was no weak She wolf.

"Lyra, the Queen would be in pure stricken agony very soon. Arrange for her private healers. And dispose of the..remains." He said waving his hands as he continued a majestic walk back to his throne. "Also, see that my pets are fed."

Lyra who had been standing glued to her position gave a bow and headed on to carry out her master's orders.

As Hati settled, rage gnawed at him.

His claws extended and dug into the obsidian arm rest tearing his flesh as they did.

Who dares touch the Dark King? He would summon the Shadow fighters. Selene must be found. And whoever was responsible would face his wrath.