Alarick's POV
Within the past 8 hours, my wolf has been driving me insane. The fact that our mate was on the floor above us didn't sit well with him.
I didn't want to meet her too soon. I'm sure she's incredibly confused.
"She's probably wearing one of those robes with nothing underneath." My wolves' intrusive thoughts echoed throughout my head. I tried not to give into them, but at this point, I was at my breaking point.
'A little visit wouldn't hurt.' I convinced myself…
Before I knew it, I was on my way down to the room that she was in.
Hopefully she's asleep. I could finally get a good look at her in peace.
Once I made it, the soldier that was guarding the room that she resided in stepped to the side. I quickly acknowledged him and pulled out the key to the door.
I paused for a moment and slightly hesitated. putting my thought aside,
I quietly unlocked the door and slipped inside of the room.
Just as I predicted, she was snuggled deep into the comforter. She fell asleep with the TV on.
'Precious little thing.' I thought.
Her scent filled the entire room. It literally made my mouth water.
I sat in a chair that stayed in the corner of the room. I tried my best to release some of the built up tension as I watched the small girl sleep.
My mind raced to figure out what my plan would be to keep her safe. I still couldn't put my finger on exactly what she was or where she comes from. I needed answers soon and all the possibilities made me incredibly anxious.
My men seemed extremely convinced about what they saw... Could she really be?
She suddenly shifted in her sleep.
She turned away from me and threw one of her legs over the covers. The robe that she had on hiked up a bit and gave me a full view of what was underneath the robe.
"She has no panties on.'' My wolf cackled sinisterly in my head.
It is taking everything within me not to claim the strange girl where she lay.
Her body was so beautiful under the moonlight. She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Her thick thighs and full bum instantly gave me a hard on.
I walked over towards the edge of the bed and loomed over her small body. The animalistic urge to breed her felt as if it were pumping throughout my veins. I quickly suppressed my wolfs urges and gently threw the blanket back over her body.
She flinched in her sleep and her eyes quickly fluttered open. A yelp escaped her lips when she saw me, and she fumbled onto the other side of the bed, landing on the floor.
I was completely caught off guard when huge black wings expanded from her back. They were absolutely breath taking. The ends of them were a reflective sliver. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before.
Even in her weakened state she immediately began protecting herself with the medium sized horns that adorned the peaks of her wings. She was fast, and the horns looked like they were razor sharp. I used my inhuman speed to dodge the attacks.
As I dodged her attempts to hurt me, I continued to inch closer towards her after each one of her attempts.
She backed away from me and tripped over her own little feet.
She even resorted to throwing things at me in efforts to keep the gap between us from shrinking.
Scared out of her mind and feral, she bared her teeth at me, and hissed. Her canines elongated as she bared them.
Just like a wolves would? Interesting.
I couldn't help but let the chuckle I was holding back escape from between my lips.
Her attempt to scare me was cute.
I had cornered her into the wall and grabbed both of her tiny fists. Using my inhumane strength, I pinned them against her own wings, rendering her helpless.
My strength easily overpowered hers as I towered over her. Her body shook uncontrollably beneath me, she was terrified.
I gently moved her hair away from her face and tucked the curly strand behind her ear. "Know your place girl" My words were firm and sharp.
My thumb trailed across her cheekbone then down to her jawline. I admired the small girl's beauty as the pad of my thumb gently grazed across her thick lips.
"Why shouldn't I kill you where you stand after you attack me?" "After you bare your teeth at me? Hmm?" I continued.
I grabbed her by her jaw and forced her gaze to meet mine.
"So disrespectful." I hissed
I took in another deep breath in order to control the beast within me.
Toying with her this way only made it harder for me to control myself. I should stop... Scenarios of taking her in this room flashed through my mind.
She completely froze once I let go of her jaw and wrapped my hand around her thin neck.
"A brave little thing you are. If you were anyone else... You'd be dead." I slightly squeezed her throat as I growled in her ear.
She whimpered in fear, nearly causing me to lose control. I'd pay anything to hear that sweet whimper once more.
Suddenly, her legs gave out and she fell limp against me. Did she pass out?
I leaned down with her and placed my hand against her face as her large doe eyes slowly peered up at me once more.
Instead of the dark brown color they were before, they were different this time.
Her eyes had turned completely white.
They even had a slight glow to them. It seemed like something else had taken over her body, like an entity had possessed her.
"Who am I talking to?" I asked as I peered down at her.
She placed her hand on mine and rubbed it with her thumb.
I immediately knew that she acknowledged us as mates. But why doesn't her human know that? I pondered.
"I am Esmira's Angel, Zamora." Her voice echoed as she spoke.
Her presence in the room grew so intensely that tears came to my eyes. Being in this creature's presence became overwhelming.
Esmira... What a sweet name, I thought.
Hearing her voice for the first time soothed something within me.
"Why have you taken control?" I asked.
"This place has hurt us. Up until the moment your men found us, Emily has endured more trauma than she ever has in her 20 years of living. It's too much for her. For me..." She trailed off.
I hummed in response. Just as I feared. Her intake here has not been the best. I looked at the condition of her Angel more closely, and it was not great. She still seemed extremely injured.
"Why aren't you healing properly?" I asked.
"We don't heal as quick as your kind does." She answered.
Her breaths were heavy, and sweat glistened against her forehead. I placed my hand on her head and felt that she was very warm.
she guided my hand away from her forehead as she reassured me.
"I take on the burden of sickness so Esmira doesn't have to. It will pass." She spoke.
"And I know you have questions..." she continued.
This entire experience felt like such a dream. Speaking to her didn't feel real.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"My soul has been around for some time now. I have lived many lifetimes. But Esmira – she's 20. The girl fears everything. Its why I took over, the stress is too much for her. Especially in new situations. She's been alone in these very forests since she was 7.
Any experience she's had with man since then has never been in her favor. Although I have experience with cruel men like you, Esmira does not. You should be mindful of how you treat your mate."
Her voice was gentle, but her words were harsh and cut deep at the end.
And wait? Did she say lifetimes?
"Your soul transfers?" I asked.
Usually for most shifters, we are born with our spirit guides, and they die with us. So, her soul is actually older than she is?
"Yes, my soul was created by The Most High many moons ago. I'm a fertility goddess , humans worshipped me at one point."
Very interesting.
The thought of her in isolation made me upset. Who would leave a 7-year-old all by themselves?
After examining her further, I noticed that there was a deep gash across her left wing. Flesh ran along it raggedly.
I cringed at how gruesome it was.
"Did my men hurt you?" I questioned.
The thought of anyone hurting my mate, made my blood boil.
"They hurt us, yes. But not this. We fell from the sky."
She slowly lifted and opened up her left wing, clearly displaying her injury.
I ran my fingers gently along the length of her wing. They seemed so strong, like pure muscle.
After assessing her wound, I headed to the bathroom closet to retrieve the first aid kit that resided in each one of the castles rooms.
I quickly drenched some gauze in some alcohol and place my hand in between her neck and shoulder. "This is going to hurt." I warned.
I felt her slightly stiffen beneath me as I applied the alcohol on her wound.
She closed her eyes as I cleaned her wounds. Not once did she flinch or make any protest at the pain.
After cleaning the wound thoroughly, I covered it in a protective ointment. I soon realized there was no bandage appropriate to cover it...
She noticed my concern and placed her hand on my face gently.
"This is plenty, thank you." She whispered
I could tell she genuinely appreciated it.
Soon after, white eyes faded back to brown.
She gave control back to Esmira.
Her eyes teared up and she began to cry.
Her tears were an iridescent white color. They also possessed a slight glow to them.
The new color tear intrigued me, however I was still confused.
Why doesn't she understand that I'm her mate? Are her Angel and human completely separate from each other?
Did she have any awareness of our previous interaction.
I remembered Zamora's words and tried to be gentle with her.
"Stop crying." I spoke.
My patience slowly began to wear thin with her. I was not the kind of man to tolerate any disrespect. I understand that she's scared , but that will only get her so far. If her Angel can fall in line, why cant she?
She desperately wiped the glowy teardrops that were running down her face. It was like she was crying a waterfall.
She was caught off guard once I picked her up and carried her to the bed. I forced her to sit on my lap facing me.
We honestly need to get comfortable with each other as soon as possible. I don't have the time for her to be fearful of me.
I gently wiped her tears away.
"If I were you, I would accept the situation for what it is. It is easier this way. You belong here by my side now."
She shyly sat on my lap and took a look at her wing while silencing her cries.
She moved some of the feathers out of the way, after further inspection, she realized the medicine that was on her wing.
She hummed in approval and met my gaze.
I could tell she both great pride in their wings.
She proceeded to shift back into her human form.
Let's just say it was not easy to watch. I assume it was hard for her since her Angel was severely injured. She slowly and painfully retracted her wings, making them completely disappear.
Once she finally settled down, I peered down at her. I could tell her sitting in my lap made her extremely uncomfortable. I'm positive she could feel my hard on digging into her crotch.
But I couldn't care less, she's all mine now.
Based off her behavior, I came to the conclusion that unlike other shifters, Esmira and Zamora were completely separate beings.
I couldn't just assume that she was aware of the things that Zamora was aware of.
I have to treat them like two different people.
"Do you speak English?" I asked.
It felt like a dumb question since I had an entire conversation with her Angel, but she has not spoken once in her human form. It was unclear if she spoke a different language, or if she was mute.
With her head hung low, she nodded yes. Okay, so she chooses not to speak...
I placed my hand on top of hers.
Small shocks of electricity ran up my arm. "Do you feel our connection?"
I hoped more than anything that she could feel the mate bond. The pull that would keep us together for the rest of eternity.
She nodded again, this time turning away so that I wouldn't see her embarrassment. Even through her dark complexion, I could tell she was blushing.
The fact she could feel our bond was a good thing. It let me know that a bond can be made between us. Regardless of how distant she seemed; it meant her trust could be earned.
"There's something very important that I want to make you aware of..." I trailed off.
________________________________________
After explaining what our relationship means- by the look on her face, I could tell that it was taking her a bit to process her situation.
She was in shock to know that not only am I a werewolf, but I'm the only Lycan King within the country, automatically making her Queen to the empire I've spent hundreds of years building.
She seemed to not be able to process such a thing. I don't blame her though. The course of her life had just completely changed within a blink of an eye.
At this point she had separated herself from me, bringing her knees up to her chest while sitting on the bed, continuing to cry...
I shook my head in annoyance.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts for now. Be ready to leave in the morning. It's dangerous for you here." I finished
I couldn't look at her like this any longer, I stood up and left the room.
I glared at the guard while locking the door behind me. I stuffed the key in my pocket and turned towards him.
"Ezra, you keep this situation, between you and me. Understand?" I threatened.
"Y-Yes sir. You don't have to worry." He stumbled over his words.
I needed more information and fast. I'm not even sure if there was information out there about creatures like Emily, but I was determined to find out. A visit to the library would do me good.
The first thing I did after leaving Emily's room was hunt down the bastards that violated her. I had to make several calls just to get their names, but once I do- vengeance is mine.
I was on a path of rage and there wasn't anything anyone could do or say to save them from their demise.
Surprisingly, it only took me 30 minutes to identify the men who were on patrol that day. I quickly wrote down their names and began to make more calls...
"Angelo, I have a special task at hand that I need you to handle. Grab Matteo, and Luca. Bring them with you to my office. Be here in ten minutes." I ordered.
"Yes your Majesty. As you wish" He obeyed.
After hanging up, I proceeded to make myself a drink. Although it was two in the morning, that didn't stop me at all.
In no time, a knock sounded at my office door. Three of my best men were at my door, awaiting on my orders.
"Come in." I commanded.
The men came in fresh off the field, bruised and sweaty.
"I see your putting in that work boys. Keep up work like this, and I'll continue providing for your families even after your no longer here." I praised them.
Taking care of my warriors is something I take seriously. By taking care of their families, they have no problem risking their lives for the throne. They are always at work constantly improving themselves.
Something I don't ask of them, but because they want to. I reward them greatly for it. It's in their DNA to lust for war.
"Thank you Alpha, we are filled with gratitude to have such a generous King." Luca spoke.
He was the captain of my army. In charge of training every man below him. He has also never failed me.
"I need you men to handle something for me. Marco Rossi, Emilio Greco, and Dante Bianchi. I need you to seize these men first thing in the morning and imprison them.
For they have committed treason.
They won't be hard to find, I assume you all are familiar with these names?"
They looked at each other with confusion spread across their faces.
Matteo spoke up for the group, "Yes Alpha, your wish is our command. Consider it done." He nodded.
I understand their confusion, but they knew better than to question me.
They all more than likely knew these men from when they were just small boys. I'm sure its hard for them to believe that they could commit a crime against the Throne.
My plan for my new prisoners would be simple. Starve them in my dungeons, only feeding them just enough to keep them alive.
Only until I find the time to actually torture them myself for what they had done to my sweet girl.
Then make an example out of them to show people what happens when you betray the king. I get my revenge all while instilling fear into the people. It made my wolf go mad with excitement.
"We will get the paperwork to process them into the system on your desk as soon as it's done." Angelo spoke.
They all bowed before quickly dismissing themselves. I let out a sigh of relief.
Now, I could finally sleep a little more peacefully.