Kazimiera
In a hurry, I ordered Devja to stand guard at my door to ensure no one entered, and Nija did not leave. I had to catch my father before he got any closer. Was this even happening? How could she be alive and four years later at that? Is there more of her?
"Kaz!" My father's deep voice bellowed from the end of the hall, bringing me back to the reality in front of me. How was I going to tell my father?
"Afternoon Father," I bowed, "Mother."
"Stop being so formal. You're the king now. Your majesty." He mocked me. "How are the preparations for tonight's Ball?"
"The Ballroom is being decorated as we speak, and the food is being prepared." I straightened myself feeling as if being tested as he always found ways to test my ability as king.
My father began to part his lips to speak but was stopped short by my mother's soft voice. "Dear, I'm sure the ball will be as lovely as ever, probably even grander than any ball your father has thrown." She smiled.
"Thank you, Mother."
My father cleared his throat. "Now, what's this I hear about a hunt being ended short?"
My jaw tightens, "Something was found, and Dariuz thought it a great idea to indulge me with it."
"Well?" My father leaned to the side to look behind me. "What was it?"
"Nothing of importance." The words flew out of my mouth, "Now let's get you guys some refreshments. I'm sure your journey from the Seasonal House was very exhausting." I proceeded to turn them around and walk toward the calling room.
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Jevgenija
I now sat alone in the office of the King of Werewolves. The former office of King Maximillian, the tyrant who killed my people. Was this it? Is today the day I die? 'Do not speak like that, Esme whined. He is our mate. He wouldn't let anything happen to us'. So he is the son of a murderer. 'That doesn't mean he is. Besides, you have a great destiny to fulfill. We must survive, remember'. Yeah Yeah, I know. I need to find a way out of here.
I walked over to the window to at least see my surrounding area, and just by luck, I didn't recognize any of it. For miles, nothing but thick tall trees, open landscapes and scattered around some small old huts. If I did make it out of here, there was a great distance from the castle to the woods with insufficient cover. I would be caught before I could reach it. I walked towards the door, and before I could place my hand on it, a low growl came from the other side of the door.
"Don't even think About it." Then, finally, a female voice came through.
This platinum-haired girl was annoying. How do I get her to move from the door? Without fully thinking about it, I shifted into the first animal that came to mind, a fox. 'What are you doing? They'll already be suspicious of you. You'll give up who you are with proof'. Esme tried to reason.' Who cares? Either way, they'll still kill me just cause they feel like it, and I won't sit here and wait. Soon the change in my scent caught the she-wolf's attention, and she came in, swinging the door wide enough for me to run right past her. I did it. I'm free. Now find an exit. Find an exit.
_________________
Kazimiera
My father bored on with stories of his younger self as the pack ooh and ahh. I could have gone the day without hearing the story. Then, as his story climaxed, a loud crash from the Ballroom stopped everything.
"What in the devil was that?" My father growled.
"I don't know, but I'll go see to it. Continue your story." I stood up and began to make my way toward the crash.
~ Your majesty, the girl... she umm ~ Devja spoke through the link
~ What is it, Devja? Spit it out. ~
~ She escaped the room, but she.. she's
~ She's what? Devja, I don't have time for this ~ I growled
~She turned into a fox.
A fox? She is one of them. I have to find her before anyone else does. ~ Look for her now~
As I entered the Ballroom, everything was in chaos. Ribbons and lights flying everywhere, and everyone trying to catch something. The Fox. She was in here causing hell. I joined along in the process of acquiring her, still mind blown that this fox form could be her. In this case, her white fox form scurried underneath a table in the corner.
"Surround the table. " I ordered.
I slowly approached the table, kneeling on the ground and lifting the tablecloth. There Nija lay curled up in a ball, breathing heavily. She shook with fear as I inched closer.
"Listen, I don't want to hurt you. Okay?" I reached my hand out. "I promised I don't want anyone to be hurt." with slight hesitation, she slowly walked towards me.
"What's going in there!" my father bellowed loud enough to hear him down the hall.
Nija began to coward back, shaking slightly from fear. The sound of the door opening made her shake more. "Kaz, what are you doing?" my father questioned.
"Umm.." I began to stutter. I turned back to Nija reaching out. Before she makes her way toward me, I watch as she slowly changes form. She was now a cat from her paws to her face and tail. I scoped her up.
I stand up and remember my father standing there. "It's alright, just a cat."
"This far into the wolf's den. Get rid of it." my father grumbled and returned to the social hall.
I made my way back to my room. As soon as I walked in, she leaped from my arms to run and hide. She was a fox. Still in disbelief, I sat on the edge of my bed. I was amazed at how I finally got to see one in person. Dariusz says she was a wolf but in front of me, not did I see a fox, but she was now a cat. This other part weighed heavy on me like sacks full of rocks. My father. Over the years, his rage has not been so bad due to my mother's recent illness. But still, during the massacre of Therian City, I've never seen my father so strong-willed and determined to see an end to a race. What would he say if I told him one was still alive? Not only that, but she's my mate.
A tiny sneeze snapped me back into the present. Nija sat underneath the coffee table, never moving her eyes off me as I stood up. I sat in the chair in front of her. "I'm not going to hurt you." I sighed heavily, "But you can not be in that form." With that said, she came from underneath the table and changed back.
"Great, now we can see eye to eye." I smiled.
"I want to leave." Her face rested in a natural state.
"No. " I said it before I could stop myself. "I mean. Some things need to be talked about."
"I'm not your mate. There we talked about it. Can I go now?"
I did my best to suppress a growl. "That's not how it works. Besides, even if I did decide to let you go the moment my father or any other catch your scent, you're done."
"Is that a threat?"
"No, I'm simply saying you're better off under my protection as my mate. Which you are." I began to slowly stand up. "I am not my father, okay? I am not your enemy, nor do I want to be."
She stood there silently for a moment as if talking it over in her head. "Fine. But I refuse to feel like a prisoner. I don't want to be cooped up in a room."
"Of course not. Your, my mate, you go where ever I go." I smiled. I meant these words. My wolf loved the idea of her being around all the time. I honestly didn't want her to leave. "First things first. Change of clothes and a bath."
"Does my earthy musk offend you, your highness?" She growled.
I coughed. "No, just if you're going to be with the King, you must look like a Queen." I made my way towards the door. "With that said, I'll send someone with some clothes, and the bathroom is left of the windows." I quickly slipped my way through the doors and closed them behind me.
~ Devja?
~Yes, Your majesty.
~ Please bring up some ball gowns to my room for our guests.
~ What!? I mean, yes, your majesty.
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Jevgenija
This is the worst of all the things that have happened to me. 'Esme, this is where we die. I hope you're happy.' 'I have repeatedly told you that we are fated for greatness; we will not die. And he is our mate.
As you can see, he wants us to stay with him.' 'Ughh Esme, what greatness could be waiting for us. All we know is death, pain, loneliness, and starvation. Yea, how great is that?' She grew silent. I doubt she believes what she's saying.
Forget about her so-called greatness; I need to make sure to stay alive. I walk over to the left side of the window and open the bathroom door. When I entered, I thought I had died right then and there and gone to the place of Eden. I have never seen anything like it. It was almost the same size as the room I had just walked out of. In the far corner was a stone tub big enough to fit five people; in the next corner was a glass cube with 2 shower heads; inside, down in front of me, was a double sink so white and shiny the light reflecting off it stung my eyes. To my left, in the corner, was a counter full of rags, towels, colognes, lotions, and other things I didn't know. My awe was shattered when I thought of how they got the extra money to have such luxurious items.
Slowly stripping my clothes off, I walked over to the glass cube of a shower and turned on the warm water. It felt incredible as I stood under, letting it dance on my head and run down my face to mold over the rest of my body. Honestly, it beat bathing in a cold lake. I lathered large amounts of soap into my hair and onto my body. Riding it from the smell of Blogi Miskai and musk. After rising off, I wrapped myself in a towel and entered the bedroom. I was almost startled at the sudden movement, but then I realized who it was. The Platinum-haired girl from before.
"Well, hello, creepy crawly." She grinned.
"Hello, old lady." I smiled gracefully as I slowly walked forward to the bed. "What do you want."
She scuffed. "The real question is, what do 'YOU' want?" She inched closer from the other side of the bed. "Your kind doesn't belong here, you know? And the king, you may have his kindness now, but soon his father will have him deal with you."
"Oh really?" I laughed. "I dont think the King would let his mate die."
"You watch your mouth." She growled. "You could never be his mate, and he doesn't need one."
I smiled; something was taking over. I walked over to the bed and dropped my towel. "I have no reason to lie, love. Besides knowing that his father hates my kind, why would he keep me around if I wasn't his mate?" I leaned over, reaching for the gown I saw on the bed.
She quickly grabbed hold of the other end. "Listen, you crawly creep, I promise you this little happiness you feel will surely end. Your fate is death just like the rest of those pathic creatures." she released the dress staring coldly with her lavender shade eyes, and left the room with a slam of the door.
Seems like the pack slut is upset. I should've just kept my mouth shut. As if I care, I'm his mate. I blotted the first shot I got. I began to get dressed and mentally prepare myself for whatever the future held for me in the next ten minutes.