'BUM..BUM..BUM' The car swayed and came to stop. In the car, Nicklaus put Ophelia down carefully but she was already awake.
"shhhh.. don't be afraid. I'll go check what's happening. Stay here."
She looked at him and nodded her head then she sat up. Looking at the down jacket on her, she lowered her head and blushed. Seeing this, Nicklaus thought to himself that it should be this way. She should be this innocent and cute.
Derrick and two others came to his compartment.
"Nick, there's being an explosion. The two escort cars at the rear are in a very bad shape now. We lost two of our men but the rest are fine."
"Any idea"
"It could..."
"12Jago reporting. It's an ambush. Oh no..." said a voice from the walkie talkie.
"Shit" said Derrick flinging the walkie talkie away. It smashed against a cabinet and was dismantled. Nicklaus, Derrick and the two other men went out of the car leaving Ophelia with two bodyguards.
Outside, Nicklaus's group had already engaged the other party in a stand off.
"Gandoph, what is the meaning of this?" asked a displeased Nicklaus.
"I heard you are alive. I'm happy after all it will be boring without worthy enemies around." Gandoph was brimming with sarcasm.
"You didn't come out of hiding just to tell me this right." responded Nicklaus without much emotion. Gandoph glared at Nicklaus. His arrogance and nonchalance made him feel like he was just a clown to Nicklaus. The guy was never moved by all his antics.
"Nicklaus, today I Gandoph will make you pay for your self-conceited arrogance. Charge!" He howled and many werewolves charged out from different directions. Nicklaus stood their unmoved as if he didn't know that there were enemies around him. He looked like he was just there to observe a game. His subordinates charged out shifting to their true form. Even though they were outnumbered they held their ground firmly. There was cracking sounds everywhere, bodies falling heavily to the ground from time to time. Soon the battle came to an end with all twelve of Nicklaus's men standing and only five of the many of Gandoph's men standing. Although the fight was quick, the aftermath was gory. The ground was dyed dark red and incomplete bodies could be seen everywhere. One body in particular was fatally gory. The burly body had a big hole where the heart was supposed to be, the intestines were out in the open because the flesh covering them had been tore open, worst still the skull was shattered. Of all the bodies sprawled on the ground none had a complete body.
One of Nicklaus's men walked forward intending to finish off the remaining five on Gandoph's side. The five had lost the bearing the had. One of them was even shaking.
"Let them be" said Nicklaus with the wave of his hand. He turned around and went back to the limousine.
"Worthy opponents? More like unworthy trash" said Derrick before leaving. One of the men stood in front of Gandoph and spat. Gandoph stood there without moving. He was shocked. He knew that Nicklaus was very strong and that was why his personal pack was also strong since the pack would usually borrow the might of an Alpha's blood but he had had that Nicklaus was now injured. He didn't expect that he had become even stronger than before. This was the most humiliating fight he had ever had with him.
In the car, Nicklaus was fighting another battle and it was an emotional one.
"Don't come any closer." said Ophelia shivering. Nicklaus still continued walking to her, his movements well paced, he signalled all the others to step back.
Ophelia was more confused than afraid. She had grown up in a town were everyone had special powers but she had never seen a group of people who could change form and become burly beasts like this. Didn't the elders sat that she was marrying into an alpha king's family. They had married her off to beasts! Did they want her dead so badly.
"I can not marry you anymore?" She asked softly.
Nicklaus who was now seating beside her said in a very gentle tone...
"Yes, but why not come home with me. I promise, you'll be safe. You can see the road is not safe now. When we settle it. I'll take you back to Alkal." He sighed, 'I can only lie to you for now little bunny. I hope that you'll like my home' he said in his mind. He wanted to carry her but thought they it was better to give her some time. He just sat quietly beside her.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group looked on in amazement and disbelieve. Their emotionless king who never cared about anyone's discomfort or unhappiness was now showing this much meekness, even his beloved sister never enjoyed such patience. It was oddly suiting.
Ophelia, the subject of their king's change, sat at the edge of the sofa her hers where on the seat. She was prepared to get up anytime. 'If only she knew that she had such privilege'.
One look from Nicklaus and they all scurried away.
In another car, Nicklaus's men were now discussing their king's odd behaviour.
"12th Jago did you see what I saw?"
"We all saw it. What's there to see again."
"You didn't see the frustration and helplessness on his face, right?"
"I thought I was the only one to see that", laughed another man beside 12th Jago
"I did see the gentleness in his eyes but how can the king be helpless. That's nonsense." said 12th Jago.
"The queen is a looker though, men give in to beautiful women", said a tall, thin man seating at the front seat.
"When will you learn to use the right words, Kyan? It's stunner not looker." said the man beside 12th Jago.
"Lu...cas.." growled Kyan.
"What? Did I say something wrong?", he smirked.
"She looks weak." Said the one driving.
Everyone looked at exchanged looks and fell silent.
Everyone knew how the kingdom was now. The previous king decided to step down and crown his son, Nicklaus, the king of Lycanthrope. That was the first time in the history of the kingdom. Many people were displeased with such arrangement. They felt that it was an insult to the ancestors and a proof that the new king was weak. One can't blame them for thinking that way since according the customs of Lycanthrope, each of the Alpha's children had to fight among themselves and the winner would need to challenge him and then fight until one of them dies. Nicklaus asked anyone who had doubts about him to come challenge him. The challenge was bloody as all who came to challenge him died brutal deaths, two among his brothers included.
"Alpha needs a strong Luna that can increase our strength. She's human. How can she do that." continued the driver.
"She's his mate." responded Lucas
"She is human. Did you see her reaction then. Too weak." It was the driver again.
"Shut up. How impudent! Talking about your Luna that why, are you also trying to revolt." growled 12th Jago.
This time everyone kept quiet for good. Things would get out of hand if anyone said a word afterwards. 12th Jago had the worst temper among them. No one knows what he would do now.