Page 41

This chapter is dedicated to 1995dragongirl. I love reading your comments. But anyways, please Enjoy.

****************************************

“I’m not getting into that car with you.”

I stand arms crossed, chin raised in defiance at the sight in front of me. We only have about thirty minutes before we have to leave for Elias's Pack and we're arguing. Again.

The King leans against his velvet black Lamborghini Aventador with his arms folded over his chest, watching me with that insufferable smirk. “Then I hope you have a high stamina, little rose. It’s going to be a long walk to Elias’s pack.”

I scowl. He’s enjoying this too much. I have my own car but apparently his royal asshat wants me in his. And while his car is probably the sexiest car in the world. It doesn't change the fact that I don't want to drive with him.

"Aegis. Please just get in the car, it's getting late."

"Nuh uh. I don't see why this is such a big deal. I have my own car."

Brianna hugs me from behind, whispering, “Just humor him and try not to kill each other.” I snort. “ I make no promises.”

"Alpha Aegis, can I see you for a second," Noah calls me aside.

“What?” I say, still side-eyeing the King like he’s a stain I can’t scrub off. He nods towards the Warrior ground and I followed him.

Noah hesitates, then blurts out, “I think the King likes you.” I blink. Then laugh. A full-bodied, near-wheeze of disbelief. “The King? Of course not.”

“I’m serious.”

“Noah,” I say, voice flat. “He’s an arrogant, condescending, power-drunk...”

“He lets you get away with things no one else does.” I open my mouth, but he keeps going. “ You literally insult him to his face and he does nothing.”

I roll my eyes. “Because it's true.” Noah arches a brow. “You think he’d ever let anyone else do that?” I pause. My stomach does something weird as I thought about it and i shove it aside. “He’s just a control freak who likes making lives miserable,” I say, shaking my head. “I bet he was dropped on his head as a baby.”

"Look Aegis,just be careful with him. Please, I'm really worried." he reasoned.

"Okay. I'll behave. But you don't have to worry about me. Anyways is that the only reason why you wanted to see me."

" I'll always worry about you. Anyways, I wanted to tell you something important actually."

" Okayy..."

Noah opens his mouth, but the King suddenly appears beside us , standing uncomfortably close.

“Are you done gossiping about me?” he says lazily, his gaze flicking between us. Noah exhales. “Good luck,” he mutters under his breath before walking off. I turn back to the King, rolling my eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Not so fast.” He holds up a key, twirling it between his fingers.

"What..?"

“You get to drive.” I stare at him.

“You’re not serious.”

His smirk widens. “Don’t kill us.” I snatch the key before he can change his mind and slide into the driver’s seat. The second my hands touch the wheel, I feel the familiar rush of excitement of the smooth leather power beneath my fingertips. What I wouldn't do to own one of this babies. Soon Aegis, soon.

The King slides in beside me, watching me with amused eyes. I throw him a glare. “Buckle up, Your Highness.” He does. Barely. I slam the gas with a maniacal laugh. The guards scramble behind us in their cars as I tear down the road, the engine roaring. The wind rushes through my hair, the adrenaline, the speed..gods, I love this.

The King chuckles beside me. “Enjoying yourself?” I ignore him. And for once, he lets me.

***************************************,

We pull up at the border of Elias's Pack to meet the gates still shut. No welcome party. No formalities. Nothing.

See it wouldn't really matter if it were just any werewolf visiting. But an Alpha accompanied by the King of all werewolves. This is the most insulting thing one could do to an higher ranking wolf talk less of an Alpha.

A look at the King's face showed that he's pissed. The air around him starts vibrating and now even I feel it. My body is supposed to kneel before him and submit but somehow like an addict craves cocaine, I involuntarily move closer to him. He looks down at me with a smile and for a while I couldn't look away from his dark obsidian eyes.

" Yo... your Royal Highness..." A guard stutters out and that got his attention.

The King’s smile disappears. “Disrespectful little....” The guards that escorted us tense as we step out. A few warriors stand on the other side of the gate, glancing between us nervously.

“The Alpha’s on his way,” one of them says. The King doesn’t respond. His energy shifts darkly once again filling the air like a storm about to break. Minutes later, Elias appears. His shirt is half-unbuttoned, his pants wrinkled. He reeks of liquor and perfume. His hair is a mess, and not the kind that comes from battle. I bite my tongue. The King’s expression is unreadable, but the air around him tightens. Elias grins. “My King,” he drawls, bowing lazily. “My apologies for the delay. A long night, you see.”

The King’s jaw ticks. “Open the gates.” Elias holds a leery stare with me a second too long before gesturing to his men. The gates creak open and we step inside.

***************""*"****"*************

Elias spurted broken apologies all the way to the site. What the King said to him or did is still unknown to all of us but it really terrified him.

The site of the children’s deaths is untouched but for the yellow tape surrounding the area. The air around was too still. The blood is dry, but the scent of their blood lingers, iron and something else.

Something is wrong. A dark twisted feeling settles in my stomach. The bodies were taken for burial, but the way the ground is charred, the odd symbols near the trees…

“This isn’t a rogue attack,” I say quietly. The King kneels beside a tree pinning me with a confused stare.

"What?"

His fingers brushed the burnt bark of the trees. “No. This is something else.” I glance at him and now he's staring at the ground where there bodies were.

“It’s a witch,” I say. His eyes meet mine. “You’re certain?” I nod. “I’ve never seen anything like this before, but… it fits.”

The King stands and the tension around him sharpens. “This pack is compromised.” Elias laughs behind us. “That's a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” The King doesn’t turn. “You let children die under your watch.” Elias stiffens. "Be very careful, Your Majesty or I'll assume you're threatening me.”

The King finally faces him, smiling coldly. “I do nothing carefully.” I step in. “So, what now?” The King exhales. “Now, we...”

“Luna Vela is on her way,” one of the guards interrupts. I sigh. “Fantastic.”

My sister arrives in a swirl of perfume and entitlement. “My King,” she purrs, eyeing him like he’s the only one here. “We’ve prepared the best rooms for you. I personally oversaw everything.”

Her gaze drags over him in a deliberate invitation. I look at the sky. Why am I still here?

The King doesn’t react. She steps closer. “If you need anything—anything at all—I’ll be happy to provide.” I barely keep a straight face. The King shifts his eyes to me. I raise an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me. Handle your fan club.” His lips twitch and Vela frowns, finally glancing at me. “Oh and you are?.”

“Observant.” She huffs. “You look a bit dull. You must be exhausted from your long journey. Maybe you should go lay down.”

Translation: Go away. I tilt my head. “ Maybe you should make yourself useful and stop trying to jump the king.” Her face burns red as she sputters incomprehensible insults at me.

The King chuckles. “That's enough.” Vela turns back to him, immediately composed again. “Your room is ready Your Highness.”

Without waiting, I leave. I don’t care about this exchange. I don’t care about Elias. I don’t care about whatever political nonsense is playing out between them. I just need a moment alone.

I had barely made it to my room when every phone around me start pinging. Pulling my phone out, I see Noah's text and suddenly the open jaws around me make sense.

Phase one successfully implemented.