(You took life from me
Expecting me to lie dead
Mere skeletal bones hanging from puppet strings and you the puppeteer
But oh how you hope had you fooled)
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"Tell me, why were you sad this morning little red?'' his tone was soft laced with concern as he questioned the little girl perched on his lap. His heart ached at the littlest notion of her being unhappy as he recalled the utter sadness he had seen on his love's face.
"Well Melony and her friends were talking about mates and I said that when I grow up, you'll be mine, and…and" the little girl spoke her speech and manner of understanding was ahead of time for her age of five, he had given up on understanding the anomaly they were a long time ago. His heart squeezed at her mention of mates, for he knew she was his yet how does one explain it to a little girl, yet a warmth bloomed filled with pride that she wanted to be his just as he wanted her to be.
"And what? he softly urged as she bit her cute lips in sadness as if to keep tears at bay, he almost cursed at himself for bringing up what made her sad
"Uhm" she sniffed "They laughed at me, said I would never have a mate, let alone an alpha, because I'm nothing but a human, a whining helpless human, and that no one would ever even love me because my grey hair makes me look like an old wicked witch" as if the words still held their sharpness, she said them in pain, through sobs she couldn't keep at bay.
His heart ached, finding it hard to comprehend how children could be so harsh and hurtful. He pulled the little girl into his arms as she wept, wishing he could take her pain away, he seethed in anger at how hateful this Melony girl was toward his mate, had she been a boy, he would without a doubt rip him to shreds, he thought. When his mate's cries lessened, he held up her chin, and looked right into her eyes as if to make sure she would hear him loud and clear and understand the extent of his words,
"Listen to me, and hear me good little red, forget all that Melany girl said because she is wrong in every way, okay?" to this she nodded, his stern tone stretched out just how serious he was and she understood
"I promise that when you're all grown up, and I'm alpha, I'll make you my Luna if you choose to be, no matter what. you may be human, but you are more strong and brave and the most courageous girl than any werewolf out there, and I would be proud to be your mate. As for your grey hair, you know you shouldn't even care about what anyone says about it, and why is that?" he questioned
"Because you said, the moon loved me so much she didn't know how else to show me but by pouring it into my hair so I never forget, that although she didn't give me a wolf, she gave me the most precious thing she could give, and that's her love" he couldn't hold back his smile anymore as he beamed down at the little girl as she recited the words he had told her not too long ago. He was proud that she took them seriously enough to remember them.
"That's right, and you're to never forget it" he exclaimed, blissful at her pearly
laughter that filled the air as his fingers tickled her funny bones. Both were content in the company of one another, although she couldn't explain the tugging ache when they parted, or the fullness of her heart when she saw him smile, or her possessive anger every time a girl his age would come close to him, she understood that she loved him, wholeheartedly, and that was enough. And he knew what she felt was more than a mere childlike crush his peers seemed to be convinced it was, only to explain how she clung to him, if only they knew he was the one to cling to her.
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He woke up to a bitter sweet air, one that brought about a smile on his lips at the memory, yet an ache to his heart for in reality, she wasn't within his grasp. For gone were the days in which he would wake up to her cuddled up to him, having snuck in in the middle of the night, simply because she had had a nightmare. Or wake up to her perched upon his chest while she annoyingly prodded his face in attempt to wake him up, only for her to unleash the tickle monster.
Oh how he missed her laughter, so much so that sometimes, when thinking of her, he could swear that if he listened hard enough, he could still hear it tinkling about the air as the wind blew by, and just like that the sound would be gone from his ears, it didn't matter then how heightened his hearing was, for it didn't help. One glance through the window, came with dreadful reality as he looked upon the castle front.
Knowing that there was little chance of him going back to sleep, no matter how much his heart hoped that he would so that they call land within Scileria, the one place that seemed to defy the distance that existed between them, there was no telling if that would happen. For such visits came at their own will, falling asleep didn't make the trip to the realm of dreams a guarantee, his last dream proved that.
"I take you had a good night sleep then huh." The rhetorical question came from his right as his best friend chuckled, clearly humoured by his groggy state. Maximus groaned as his muscles gave protest when he moved to sit up properly, his neck about cussing at him in pain from the angle the Alpha had fallen asleep in.
"I just had some papers to finish up" his voice sounded hoarse from the lack of use in the past hours, Maximus could already tell by the serious expression that took place on his Beta's face, and before the man could talk, he added
"Don't" the words held no room for argument and Levi could do nothing but raise his fingers up in mock surrender as his hands were kept on the steering wheel. Yet even then, Levi couldn't hold back his next words
"but I just think that you should know that Amoura wouldn't like the notion of you working yourself to death, I understand that every time you wake up it feels like you've just lost her all over again, but man, you can't avoid sleep just because you fear you'll dream of her"
Maximus sat with his jaw clenched, his teeth a near crushed point with amount of strength he put into grinding his teeth, just to keep himself from lashing out at his Beta's words, how dare he think he could tell me about what Amoura would like or not, he has no right, he thought to himself, he couldn't help the possessiveness that thumbed alive through his veins, and he angrily spat
"Don't speak of her as if you know what she'd want, her name is not for you to speak of, so never speak of it again" his words came out strained, his wolf didn't care that their Beta was their best friend, no one was allowed to say her name but him, ever.
"I'm sorry man, it just came out" the Beta was calm as he apologised, he understood why Maximus reacted a he had, and didn't hold it against him, he just hoped that the young woman would be found and all of this would be over with, after all, he knew exactly how it felt to be so afar from your mate. At that point he couldn't help but think, it didn't matter if it was Maximus or the king that found her, he was growing tired of the two faced game he was being forced to play.
As Maximus sat in the car, he dreaded the confining walls of stone, built in a maze and walls high enough to rival city sky scrapers. The walls on the inside were forced to dangle portraits of the royal family to whoever took a stroll within the castle, others wore murals that told tales of nothing but war and death. The curtains were nothing but fine red silk, symbolising a pooling waterfall of blood shed by whoever faced the tip of the blade held by the king, perhaps one should say claws, for he never did play fair, they were his signature, careful you don't get close alas you'll face your death by claws having slashed at your throat when you were most unsuspecting.
It was safe to say that the décor of the castle was nothing but luxury, boastful of the fact, just as the king that ruled within it. he walked with his beta to his side, the grand halls echoing their footfalls that almost resembled those of soldiers marching to war. Upon entering the dinning hall, it was clear that they were the last two to arrive, for at the head of the table already sat the king, the man was handsome for his age as he looked no older that forty, h wore royal attire, a black coat that had golden embroidery that wrapped around his neck going down the middle of his chest, cinched at the waist by a belt that had the same golden embroidered pattern. However, what caught Maximus' attention most was that the King didn't even seem peeved at their late coming, which made Maximus wonder.
The queen sat at her rightful place on the left side of the king's seat, fair skin complimented by the brunette strands that were in an elegant bun, her eyes a chilling black, stern as her exposed handsome jaw line that made her look every bit like a warrior woman, her dress however, was a contrast to her uptight posture, as beige fabric teasingly exposed her shoulders and the sowed in cosset made sure to amplify her generous bossom, it was no wonder why the king had settled for the she wolf for a queen, she was every bit the epitome of a strong woman.
The king's children however, looked nothing like her, the only thing that came close to being similar enough to associate them with her was Anastasia's own brunette curls, for although the woman was queen she was in no way the woman that had given birth to the king's children. Cassandra was the eldest daughter and she sat next to the queen, her hair a flaming red as the dress she wore, her eyes were a cold blue, it seemed fitting that she was as just, cold.
For being the first born daughter yet having to watch another take your throne merely because of gender, could only turn you bitter, especially if you did want the seat. Next to her followed her sister, Anastasia, the second born daughter, she had green eyes that had sparks of defiance floating about, her brown curls fell down her back, a little tamed by two braids that began from the middle of her forehead only to go their separate ways around her head toward the back and united into one braid down her back.
Third down the line followed the last and third born daughter, Clair, she had straight silky looking hair that was gold as the rays of the sun on a happy day. Complimented by emeralds for eyes that looked innocent to ignorant eyes, but Maximus could see the sharp thorns in her green vines in all their calculating glory. He found that she looked most Like the king out of all her siblings with both his hair and eyes, and Anastasia took most after their mother.
To the king's right came the only son and heir to the throne, Eurich, only but a year younger than Clair, he seemed to be a mixture of his siblings, with brown hair and emeralds that were surrounded by a thin line of a cold powder blue. He was the most to be weary of, after all, it is said that at least with the bad, you know what to expect from them, however, what of those that wore goodness for cloaks and had innocence for eyes, those that had dripping honey for tongues and blinding dashing smiles.
Next to him sat Simon, Clarissa's mate, who was an absolute contrast to the fiery woman, he had soft features complimented by kind brown eyes and jet black hair, his body frame was lean, compared to the warrior build of Anastasia's mate Hank, who had ashy blond hair and hazel eyes. Maximus figured that he was to sit next to him, and opposite Clair for she was yet to find her mate it seemed, so was Eurich.
"Uhh, the man of the hour finally arrives" the king's voice resonated through the gold and red clad dining hall that was illuminated by a chandelier that hung right in the centre of the heavenly high ceiling. His eyes shone with an expression he couldn't quite place as it disappeared just as it had appeared. He had thrown his arms open in a manner of welcome, yet Maximus didn't miss the tauntingly amused tone as it echoed.
"I do apologise, I miscalculated our time of arrival your highness" Levi was one to offer the explanation, having known fully well that Maximus would have said nothing as he sat down in his seat with barely an acknowledgement toward the King, and Levi didn't miss The King's jaw that clenched for but a second as he removed his gaze from the seated Maximus to his Beta.
"Of course, no apologies needed, you arrived in just a nick of time, sit, sit" the king exclaimed in what seemed to be excitement, and Maximus wondered what could possibly have brought the King to such high spirits, yet he knew if it could do such, it couldn't be good at all.
"Thank you your highness" Levi said almost sounding timid, however, the fear beneath it couldn't be missed by those that had keen ears. The King only but made a gesture with his hand, and dinner was served. It wasn't too
long after everyone had begun eating that Maximus enquired of the reason behind his summons
"Well there's no use waiting any longer is there?' came the King's response as he added
"I have made the decision that you shall mate with my third born daughter Clair, who's
mate met an untimely death a few months ago, after having met her" he paused looking at Maximus and seeming quite pleased with the reaction his words caused, as Maximus had a mild coughing fit, only to clench his fists around the utensils he still held, glowering at his food as he contemplated just what he thought the King had said.
"As you know my word is law, the date is set for the next full moon, I'll save you the pain of calculating, it is two weeks to be exact" the King added, getting back to eating his food as if his words hadn't just stunned not just Maximus but most on the table as well. Yet it seemed the Queen had was used to her husband's unpredictable actions, the news barely brought a reaction out of her as she had ignorantly kept eating her food, while most had halted.
She couldn't be bothered by how Clair must have felt, not only was she not her daughter, but she thought the King couldn't have made a better choice. She found that Maximus was quite the man with his mountainous broad shoulders and sharp jaw line that rivalled those sharp contrasting eyes in which one had endless storms and another resembled raging ocean. she could have made him her boy toy if she wanted, she thought, yet she found that he had a wildness about him she would rather not be bothered with.
Maximus raged in silence as he contemplated a thousand ways to bring about the King's demise only to scrape the smug expression off his face. The king knew that he had Maximus in a tight corner, for he could neither refuse and risk being charged with treason, nor did he have a choice considering it was an unspoken rule that an Alpha should have a mate by their twenty fifth year, either chosen or by true mate hood. Maximus didn't want to mate with another woman that wasn't his mate. He had a mate! the words rang loud as thunder in his mind.
The king wondered just what Maximus would do, as his eyes swam in sinister waters, revelling in Maximus' internal turmoil. It was why he had spared the man's life, only to see him in pain, he thirsted for it as his sadistic side laughed in glee, he loved the power it made him feel he had over the man. That it didn't matter who his grandfather was, he was dead in a ditch somewhere, and he was still alive and King of his species, and his grandson was beneath his control with no power to challenge him. He had made sure of it, made sure to clip his wings before he could even notice that he had any.
Calculated as the King may be, he seemed to be forgetting that there's only one thing an animal backed in a corner could do to escape, and that is to lash out, although the King prided himself with how everything seemed to be falling to plan, he most definitely wasn't fate, nor was he best friends with any. The table was silent as everyone dwelled within their own thoughts, neither spoke up or dared to, for they could feel Maximus rage rippling through the room, and neither didn't want to be at the receiving end of it. In attempt to defuse the stifling tension that made it hard to wallow the food they were eating, Eurich was first to break the long suspenseful silence
"I hear there'll be an execution tomorrow, whom are the unlucky bunch?" he asked no one in particular, and Cassandra was one to respond after taking a sip of her blood red wine
"Just a pair of nobodies that thought they could go against father's Law against the mating of a werewolf with a human. Poor suckers were eventually caught though" she scoffed "not as smart as they thought they were it seems". That seemed to change the topic as everyone began talking amongst themselves. However, something further nagged at Maximus at the thought of the execution, he couldn't understand why he felt bothered by it.
His wolf Aurelius had shut himself off from his person after having been denied the privilege of ripping the King's head from his body at his ridiculous notion that he betray their moon given mate. Werewolves may have grown to underappreciate the moon goddess' gift, as some discarded such special bonds for chosen ones, however, both Maximus and Aurelius still treasured it most and he thought it would be a cold day in the blazing pits before he could be tempted to betray his mate like that.
Just as he was about to stand up and leave for he could no longer stand to be in the same room as the King anymore, the man himself stood abruptly, causing his chair give a painful screech against the marbled floor bringing everyone's attention to him. Maximus didn't miss the flurry of emotions that blew past the king's face in a quick breeze, shock, fear and anger before his face turned to cold marble, and he marched out the door without acknowledging a soul.
Anastasia, Simon and Levi wore stunned faces, whereas the queen and Cassandra remained indifferent, Eurich, Clair and Maximus were the ones most curious about the King's behaviour, for not so long ago, the King had been cheerful, it made Maximus wonder just what had happened to bring about fear to the King that seemed to have been long immune to the emotion. He figured he would find out later when one of his spies came like clockwise every time his presence was required at the castle.
With the King's departure, it proved enough to get Maximus onto his own feet and he departed from the cursed dining hall. As he walked toward his quarters, every servant he passed seemed to be more distressed than the past one, which only made him more curious. Upon entering the room, he was to slumber in for the night, he noticed the lack of red and was gladdest for it.
The room had a rectangle layered crème white and brown ceiling that had golden swirls for design and a chandelier hung in the middle. The bed with a classic Victorian headboard was in the middle of the width side of the wall with bed side lit lamps on either side. Glass encompassed the entirety of the lengthy wall with a balcony in the middle, and before it was a petite Victorian table in the middle of two matching Victorian single couches. It was obvious that the king had spared no expense for the entire castle's remodelling.
Maximus had just discarded his suit jacket onto the classic chair in the room, folding the sleeves of his turtleneck up his arms, he walked toward the small table and poured himself a stiff golden toxin, that satisfyingly burnt his throat upon a small gulp, even though it would take a whole lot more than a shot of whisky to calm his mind, he had no desire to drink more than the contents left in the glass that loosely hung between his fingers.
He let out a tiresome sigh as he looked out the glass balcony doors near the table, the curtains, glad for their innocent white colour with gold draping compared to the red that overwhelmed most windows of the castle, were open, exposing the moon that sat perched high on her throne in the middle of the sky, kept company by the glittering stars as always, his contrasting eyes held their gaze with hers as if she could tell him all he needed to know. Before he could be lulled by the pulsing greys of her glowing orb, there was a knock by the door.
"Enter" Maximus simply said as he turned to look at the man that entered, glad he had received his message in time, he motioned for the glass in his hand "care for some?" to which the man was quick to shake his head
"No Alpha" he stood his hands securely clasped before him his posture straight and face bare, Maximus knew he meant business and was more glad for it. they had to get this over with before anyone could see the man in such close association with him, not if he planned on keeping his diligent informant.
"Let's get to it then" at Maximus' words, the man knew what the Alpha meant and went on to divulge all he could and thought most important for the Alpha to know. Because he himself was little fond of the king and his way of ruling, he was happy to spill all the King had for secrets, at least news he knew of that he knew the King wouldn't want anyone else to know. When the deed was done, Maximus was left with a skull filled with skeletons, yet only one phased him most.
What had demanded the king' abrupt departure was news of a prisoner having successfully escaped from the hunters he affiliated himself with. Maximus wasn't shocked that the King associated with the hunters, what shocked him most was the description of the prisoner that escaped, a part of him hoped that it wasn't who he thought it was, yet the details were overwhelmingly familiar. He figured he'd worry about how his mate had come to escape the hunters let alone how the king knew of all this on the later stage, for his main concern, his number one priority was to find her before the King's elite found her.
He knew he couldn't drop everything and be the one to do the chasing, as much as everything in him willed him to go bursting through the castle gates and onto the road in search of his mate, he knew that would give away too much to the king, and he couldn't risk both their lives like that, for they were in enough danger as it was. With that he settled for sending out his most trusted to be the ones to go looking for her, with strict instructions that she be bought to his pack right away. If only he had known.