It was three days to the war, and everything was not yet set. Alandar's anger simmered beneath the surface. "What insolence, Julius..." he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Julius immediately fell to his knees, trembling. "My king, it's all my fault. Do you want your position stripped from you, huh? My king, pardon me this last time... By tomorrow morning, all weapons will be set. I want my sword sharpened so that, it can cut a string of hair, do you get me!"
"Yes, my king," Julius replied, his eyes cast downward.
"You may leave," Alandar said, dismissing Julius with a wave of his hand.
"Alandar, you are great," "During the war, I will myself. My demon, kill with no mercy."
"We shall see, Alandar hummed."
You too, Aaron."
"What?" Alandar and Alan replied in unison.
*Kingdom of Raven*
Ariiya was busy massaging Maros' tense muscles.
"So, tell me, is anything going on in Avalor?" King Maros asked, his voice laced with concern.
"No, nothing is going on," Ariiya replied, "but since Alandar arrived back in the kingdom, everything has been going smoothly. The palace is at peace; nothing is amiss."
"Are you sure, Maros asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, my king, I'm sure. I wouldn't give you false information for once," Ariiya said, her voice filled with conviction.
"If you find anything odd about Avalor, report to me immediately. I want to use that piece of information," Maros said, sitting down on the bed beside Ariiya.
"Okay, my majesty," Ariiya said, her eyes locked on Maros.
"I told you not to call me 'majesty' or 'king' while we're alone. Call me Maros!" he whispered in her ear, his breath sending shivers down her spine.
"M-Maros," she stuttered, looking down at her feet.
"That's more like it. Look at me; you shouldn't hide yourself from me. I own you. You get that."
"Yes, I do," Ariiya replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Now, give me some blood; I'm thirsty." Immediately, Ariiya sat down on his lap and shifted her black silk hair to the side, giving him access to her neck.
"That's more like it." Maros sank his fangs into her, sucking her sweet blood, moaning softly.
His eyes turned black until he came to his senses and immediately removed his fangs.
She looked pale, her skin clammy.
"Why didn't you tap me to stop? I want you to drink to your heart's content."
"Okay, Maros replied."
A knock at the door interrupted.
"My king, it's me, Talnor," Talnor said from outside the door.
"Come in," Maros called out.
Talnor walked in, his eyes locking onto Ariiya. His heart burned with longing and pain. He had loved her since childhood.
"Why are you here?" Maros asked, his voice firm.
"I initially came to separate the two of you because you've both been in the chambers for so long... I just had to give some excuses... My king, I heard some people have been entering the city to intrude on citizens."
"Are you sure?" Maros asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, I am. I'm here to ask for permission to get them... Truly, people from other states have been intruding, and this is the perfect time to say it because I don't really have anything to say otherwise."
"Okay, you have my permission," Maros said.
"But why did you come and report to me at this hour of the day, not at night?" Maros asked, his curiosity piqued.
"My king, the news got to me a while ago, and I didn't want to delay informing you."
"Okay, if you have nothing to say, you can leave."
"Yes, my king," Ariiya said and bowed.
Talnor's heart burned with pain as he left the chambers.
*Kingdom of Avalor. King's Chambers*
Alandar sat in his office, signing documents. Aaron mind-linked him.
"I want to go for a run; it's been days," Aaron said.
"Yes, I know, but I don't want any suspicion around the palace. We can find a time; maybe after everyone has slept, we'll go for a run."
"If you insist, why don't we go now?" Alandar said.
"I believe Aaron is having his time, and my own time is soon too," Alan said.
"Okay, I get. I'll shut you two up. Alandar said
"Can we just go for the run?" Aaron asked.
Alandar nodded, blowing out the candle. The room plunged into darkness. He strode towards the bedroom, shedding his clothes as he went. His body began to shift, bones cracking and reforming into his wolf form.
With his newfound shape, Alandar snatched his clothes in his jaws and leaped out the window, landing softly on the forest floor. The night air rushed past him as he ran, the trees blurring together.
Suddenly, a scent wafted through the air, drawing his attention. It grew stronger, more alluring, with each passing moment. Alandar's curiosity drove him forward, his paws pounding the earth.
As he rounded a bend, he stumbled upon a breathtaking sight. It was the most exquisite thing he had ever laid eyes on.
Alandar's instincts screamed "Mate!" but he suppressed the urge, growling softly. He turned to flee, not wanting to be seen.