Battle Me

Lisa bit her lip, clutching the tray of food tightly. Klaus, sensing her presence, turned to find her staring at him. He had just removed his cloak and corset top, exposing his upper body and stark white hair.

He chuckled at her reaction before slipping on his shirt, his mask still covering his face. "What were you saying?" Klaus asked.

Lisa swallowed momentarily forgetting her words. She walked over and thrust the tray at him. "I didn't see you eat—you must be hungry," she managed, guessing he skipped meals because he didn't want to remove his mask in front of others.

Klaus glanced at the food, then sat on the bed and began to eat. Lisa smiled and stood in front of him. "Why do your guards keep appearing next to me?" she suddenly remembered to ask.

"They only show up if you're in danger," he explained.

She sighed. Did he not understand the concept of privacy?

"Well, we'll be done here tomorrow and can finally leave," Lisa said, exhaling heavily. Klaus watched her with amusement.

"Are you excited to return to the legion?"

Lisa thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Isn't it better than being here?" she replied. He focused on his meal while she wandered over to the window.

"I've always doubted if I'm really a wolf, you know… I don't act like them. People say I'm a witch, but I can't chant spells. All I can do is talk to animals and sense things," she murmured, rubbing her palms together.

"Just when I started to adjust as a wolf, the moon goddess reminded me I wasn't one of them. Davin got a mate and made me a Rogue."

She turned to him, smiling. "I always felt like I never belonged anywhere. But seeing how everyone here sees you as a 'weird creature,' I realise they think this world was created just for the wolves, but they are wrong because there are people like you and there is me"

Her words—and the genuine smile on her face — surprised Klaus. Why was she so happy?

"I'm Lisa Moonstar, and I'll create a place for myself in this world," she declared.

Meanwhile…

In one of the chambers, Ariel, Sia, and several witches sat together. A spell bound the walls, keeping their conversation private.

"So what's your analysis? Are we going with Plan A?" Sia asked Ariel, who had tested the waters today to see if it was safe to lure Lisa somewhere and kill her before the King's event tomorrow.

"It won't work. She's too well protected," Ariel replied, clenching her fist. "I feel like once she married the demon king, she didn't just become his bride—she became one with him. He can sense when I'm in her mind or trying to harm her." Ariel still couldn't believe Klaus had forced her out of Lisa's mind and nearly turned her to ashes without effort.

"There's always a loophole. Lisa needs to die," Sia said coldly, hating that Lisa was treated like a queen.

"Leave it. I have a better plan. I knew your way wouldn't work," Sia said smugly, settling into her chair.

"The Shred Mark is going to be activated on Davin. He'll be our puppet to take over the vampire and demon lands. Soon, the world will be ours." Sia laughed, her eyes flashing white.

"I can feel it—everyone will bow to me. Am I right?" she asked the older witches, who nodded in agreement.

"Can we not be reckless?" Ariel urged, nervous about Sia's impatience.

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Let me remind you: we're here because of you. If Lisa hadn't been chased from the pack before we realized she was the key, she'd never have met the demon king or married him," Ariel shot back. Sia shoved her, slamming Ariel into the wall.

"You can't do your job and you dare blame me? If you're so weak, I'll have another witch replace you."

Ariel clenched her fists. "She's so naïve, Your Majesty," an old witch said, glaring at Ariel.

"We'll do as you say," she added, and Sia nodded.

"We'll talk more tomorrow," Sia said, sweeping out of the chamber. Ariel slammed her fist against the wall in frustration.

"We'll do as she says?" Ariel turned to the old witch, incredulous.

"Let it go. It's because of her that we dared make peace with the wolves. Now Alpha Davin is on our side, and soon we'll be more powerful than any creature," the witch reasoned.

Ariel gritted her teeth, frustrated that their leader was a wolf.

The Next Morning

All the queens gathered for a meeting while the kings discussed the peace of the world. The throne room was filled with alphas from every pack, the demon King, the King of Vampires, and Ariel. Elders took notes, recording the treaties.

"Let's start with a word from Alpha Davin," Alpha Thomas said.

Marcus snorted. "Why should he start? He's neither the oldest nor the most powerful here," he snapped, drawing everyone's attention.

Marcus ignored their stares and stood up, pointing at Alpha Thomas. "I used to attend these events with your father. I was there when he courted your mother. You really have no respect for me?"

Alpha Thomas glanced at Davin, who nodded for Marcus to go first.

"Then you can start."

"Of course. I didn't need your permission," Marcus sneered, then turned to Klaus.

"My brother and I have our own clauses, and we expect them to be respected," he declared.

Davin laughed. "What clauses?"

"First, who made that stupid hierarchy chart? How are wolves above vampires?"

"Isn't it fact?" Alpha Thomas replied. Marcus sputtered, lost for words but clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Fine. Look around—everyone here is a king, and Davin is king of kings among wolves. That's your business, but today, the witches will be under us," Marcus declared.

Ariel jumped up in outrage. "Never!" she snapped. It was already bad enough being used by Alpha Davin; now they wanted to "adopt" them like a lesser clan?

In an instant, Marcus appeared behind Ariel, then he gripped his head pain as she chanted a spell. "Come any closer and I'll fry your brain," Ariel warned.

Blood dripped from Marcus's nose. He wiped it, his fangs growing longer. "I always wondered what witch blood tasted like."

"And I always wondered if vampires bled," Ariel taunted. As he stepped forward, Davin rushed to stand between them.

"If you go against her, you go against me," Davin said.

"And am I supposed to be scared?" Marcus laughed as the other Alphas stepped up beside Davin.

"As you said, I'm king of kings. So if you go against the witches, you go against us," Davin declared.

Marcus clenched his fists.

Suddenly, Klaus stepped forward, standing next to Marcus. "And if you go against him, you go against me," he said calmly.

A slow smile crept across Marcus's lips. Klaus turned to Ariel. "Witches aren't children of the moon. They can't be ruled by wolves, wouldn't you agree?"

"This is not demon business," Davin snapped, gesturing to Ariel. "The witches are mine."

"Do you dare battle me for that?" Klaus asked. Davin stepped closer, locking eyes with him.

"You've always wanted a battle with me, haven't you? Just to prove to Lisa that you're better. But no matter what you do, she'll always come running back to me if I so much as smile at her," Davin sneered.

Klaus's fangs grew, his nails lengthening as blood dripped from his hands.