Aurelius was awakened by the aggravation of his inner wolf that was agitated about something.
"She's here," Kiel, his inner wolf, said excitedly.
"Let's go claim her," it declared.
Her lavender scent clawed at him, but he resisted, knowing that yielding to the scent meant giving in to his most primal desires, a temptation he couldn't afford to succumb to.
His entire day was occupied with thinking about what his mate would look like, her strong scent permeating through his body system.
A side of him hoped he'll walk into his mate before the end of the day.
"What is the state of the royal army?" Aurelius inquired absentmindedly from Drey , his gamma.
"Reporting to his highness, the royal army still stands formidable and is a disciplined force. Training is going on for the newly recruited pups that just came of age, their numbers are substantial, and I am positive that by the end of their training, they'll make the nation proud. The final part of the training where the alpha will impart some of his superior skills on them will take place by next summer. We are confident that we'll make it worthwhile for your precious time. Your humble subject reports."
"Is that all to be discussed?"
"Your majesty, there is a situation concerning the vassals that needs your attention."
"Let's discuss that tomorrow."
"The council is dismissed."
Everyone in the council looked at each other puzzled. Should they be happy or worried? Their king, who makes sure there is no matter left untouched even if it'll take hours to discuss, just cut the council short after raising just one issue? That was bizarre.
Charlotte, after being sold to the Palace, earned favor from the chief steward due to her beauty and refined nature, judging the fact that she was from a relatively civilized country and was made to serve at the king's court, but she couldn't begin work at once.
"Where do you come from?" the chief steward asked, scanning her from head to toe.
"Lyra, my Lady."
"Oh, drop the formalities, my dear, I'm only a trainer."
"Training usually takes a month with other maids, but I think you'll be up and running in a week."
"A week?" Charlotte asked aghast.
She had worked in an alpha mansion before, and it took her 2 months of gruesome training and torture. How will she learn it all in a week?
"Maids are schooled in courtly manners, learning to walk, stand, and curtsy gracefully. They master the art of formal address and comportment. You obviously have that already, and your sense of diplomacy shines through."
"You must be from a powerful family over there. How did you get into this pathetic situation?" the chief steward asked, clicking her tongue.
Charlotte had the urge to bow her head in shame as a lump formed in her throat, but she replied to the chief steward curtly.
"I am well-versed in serving an alpha, as I worked as an omega in an alpha mansion. I was well-trained in protocols. Hence I'm confident that I'll serve his Majesty well."
"Impressed! I'm impressed. Your training starts now. Let's get you something good to wear."
She was stripped of her 'weird' clothing, a tattered and dirty jumpsuit. Her wound was tended to, and she was made to learn Fristia basic language. She was tasked with feeding the king's dreadful pet, a snow wolf.
The king's wolf was majestic and awe-inspiring. Its fluffy white fur, pure and immaculate like freshly pure snow. It had a sleek physique and piercing blue intelligent eyes that gave it an air of regal authority; its strides were silent and graceful, deserving of an apex predator.
If the king's pet has this much brilliancy, how magnificent will the king himself be? As she neared his cage to give him his meal of carefully prepared meat of an elk, the wolf looked at her into her eyes as if asking her who she was? As silly as it felt, she tried to make a conversation with the wolf. "I'm Charlotte, your royal wolfiness, and I will be serving you for the time being. Please, let's work well together. Don't eat me either." She then gave a little bow to the wolf, and the wolf moved closer to the edge of the cage. Does it like me? Now that she could see it up close, she felt an urge to feel its smooth fur. She stretched her hand into the cage, but as soon as her hand was close to its fur, the wolf backed away, giving her a piercing glare. "I'll go now. I hope you let me touch you tomorrow. You seem alone; I'm alone too. Can we be friends?" The wolf strode back graciously to the other end of the cage and crouched, closing its eyes as if ignoring her. She gave a light chuckle, the first in many days. At least she now has something to look forward to - feeding Koda.
A week into her training, her chief steward decided it was time for her to appear at the king's court. Her first task was to serve the king tea in the royal garden.
The castle was lavish, and the garden was even more opulent. The castle was made of ivory walls and several tall, square towers. The towers were connected by large bridges, and small windows covered its walls along with gaps for archery and artillery.
Colorful flowers emerged amidst the remaining white patches from the previous night's snow. Ornate statues and neat hedges decorated the serene setting, and the sun cast soft shadows. Charlotte was mesmerized by the garden, and she didn't notice a stern pair of red eyes glaring at her.
She regained her consciousness and glanced toward the gazebo where the king was meant to be, but he wasn't there. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Has he left? She suddenly felt an aura behind her, and she got goosebumps. "Turn around," Aurelius commanded. Charlotte slowly turned, the tray in her hands trembling slightly. She faced the king's direction with her face lowered. She dared not stare into the king's eyes as she was taught. Aurelius took a good look at the werewolf in front of him that always made him go berserk every day for the past 2 weeks. His inner wolf revolted against him after suppressing the urge to claim his mate. He was finally able to control it, but this little lady decided to appear in his own court. His fangs grew in length, and his temperature rose as he looked at the delicate bare skin of Charlotte's neck. "Take her already,"Kiel growled within him. "Raise your head. What brings you here?" "I came to serve you your afternoon tea, your majesty," Charlotte replied, maintaining her poise even though her shaky voice already gave her away. "Is tea all you have to offer to me?"