Chapter 4
Red, pink and brown were the colors of the day. All around me were gore and bodies. My pack had been attacked by a one-man army. His claws dug fear and pain into the hearts of my warriors. His teeth bit death into their bones and growl sounded war into their ears. A monster was what he was. I could not tell who he was because of how fast he moved.
A scream escaped my throat when I caught sight of my father laying in a pool of his own blood. The air which would normally carry the delicate scent of flowers now reeked of smoke and blood.
“Father,” I kneeled beside him and cupped his face in my hands, “Please open your eyes and tell me something. Father.” I shook his body, but nothing. It scared me.
I looked around me, watching as the packs’ warriors tried to fight off the man, but it was clear who the winner was. Many had succumbed to exhaustion and were giving in to whatever their fate was. Some were still pushing to see that the threat was eliminated, but what use was it? He could easily kill them.
I tore my gaze away from the tragic scene and to my father, who was yet to show any sign of life. Tears rolled down my cheeks when I realized he was dead. My hero was dead.
“Valeria!”
Melody stood at a safe distance. She was neatly dressed and not covered in blood like I had expected. A soon-to-be should be fighting for the lives of her people.
“Valeria!” She yelled again. This time she stood beside me and snapped her fingers in front of my face, “Snap out of it.”
I was on a bed that wasn’t mine. It smelled like honey. I sat up on the bed and looked beside me to see Melody staring at me. I averted my gaze from her and to the night dress I was wearing. My body was covered in blood like I had been on a battlefield.
“I had a nightmare.” I started when Melody hugged me, “My father died, and I held his lifeless body. I fear this is a revelation of what is coming.” I closed my eyes, trying hard not to shed tears.
“We’ll defeat this Mavros god or whatever he calls himself. Your father isn’t going to die, okay?” She rubbed my back comfortingly.
“I hope you’re right. What will I do without him?”
“No one dies.”
<<<>>>
That nightmare made me realize just how much Father meant to me. He was my rock and shield. That man could put his life on the line for my brother and me. He tried his best to make sure we didn’t feel the absence of a mother. He always did everything in his power to make sure we never felt alone. I would lose myself if he were to die.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw a pair of legs. I looked up and almost bolted when I saw my mate in all his glory. In his eyes was worry.
“Hey,” I said, unsure of what to say. It felt awkward.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
“Yes, I am. Why do you ask?”
He tilted his head to the side and sat beside me on the bench. I swallowed and clasped my hands tightly. My body was doing some weird reactions to how close he was to me.
“You’re not really looking okay.” He stated, “But since you said you’re fine, that’s great.” He got up and made to leave, but I held his hand, stopping him. My mate looked at his hand and then my face with a raised brow.
“Don’t go.”
“Why not? You never wanted me around, so what changed?” He hit my hand, causing me to let go of him, “If you want to talk to me, come to me yourself.”
I watched him walk off. That man had pride, and I liked it. If he was going to rule by my side, he needed to possess that quality, but not too much of it. That would just be disgusting to me.
“Wait.” I called after him, trying to catch up, “Let’s talk.” I held his hand.
He turned to me and crossed his arms over his chest. I didn’t know what to make of his expression.
“Talk about what?” He questioned.
“Us… About us. I don’t even know your name and we are mates.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Let’s not blame anyone here.” I grabbed a hold of his hands, “Come with me.”
I just stared at him.
My mate was sitting on my bed, probably waiting for me to say something, but all I could do was stare at him. I was at a loss for words.
“You didn’t bring me here to stare at me, right?”
I shook my head and regained my composure, “Of course not. So, what’s your name? What pack did you come from?”
“One question at a time, mate. My name is Layton Hunter, and I am a rogue.”
“That doesn’t make sense. You can’t be in my pack and not be a pack member.” I told him.
“You wouldn’t tell on me now, would you?”
“I guess.”
He smiled, “That’s more like it.” His eyes scanned my room, “I don’t think anyone would appreciate seeing me in your room, so why don’t I take you to somewhere else?”
I pondered on it for a while. He was my mate and would never hurt me. Since he was making an effort to get to know me better, why not?
“Okay.”
Melody and Zayne pushed open my door, taking me by surprise. My brother’s eyes landed on Layton and he growled. Although Zayne couldn’t shift into a wolf, he possessed certain traits like growling, obviously.
“Who are you?” He questioned, staring intently at Layton.
“Zayne, please. He’s Layton, my mate.”
His eyes snapped to mine, “Mate? When did you find your mate? And why the hell is he in your room?”
I would be in so much trouble if father were to find out I let a male into my room. Mate or not. I had to bring my mate to him first.
“You know the rules, Valeria. I’m sorry, but I must tell father.” He sounded disappointed, and that hurt me.
“Please don’t do it. I know I shouldn’t have let him into my room without speaking to father about it first, but I wanted to get to know him.” I explained, hoping I’d get through to him.
“Rules are rules.” He turned around and walked out of the room.
I shifted my gaze to Melody, who had an apologetic look on her face, “I actually came to tell you that Aphrodite is here. She’s waiting in the study with your father.” She said.
Aphrodite was a close friend of mine and a witch. I recalled father telling me she would help me in battling Mavros, but that was the least of my problems. In a few minutes, I’d have a furious father yelling at me. Why did they have to come in now?
“I’ll be there.”
She nodded and left the room. Feeling as if I had disappointed my family, I sat down on the bed. Layton came to sit beside me, “I’m sorry,” he started, “I’ve gotten you into so much trouble.”
I shook my head, “It’s not your fault. I knew what the rules were, and I still went ahead to break them. You have nothing to be sorry about. I have to go see my father.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No.”
“Princess Valeria, the king would like to see you and your mate.” A guard said from outside my door.
I turned to Layton with wide eyes. I was freaking out! “We-I-We’ll be there soon.” I was quick to my feet, “You have to come with me.”
His reaction was one I wasn’t expecting. Layton smiled and stood up, “Gladly.”
<<<>>>
Sitting in front of my father was a woman with brunette hair and green eyes. She reminded me of my late mother. Father had shown me her picture and from where I stood behind Aphrodite, she looked like my mom.
Layton stood beside me, a smirk on his face as he stared at my father. I didn’t think father could ever look as shaken as he was, but I guess there’s a first time for everything. His fists were clenched beside him as he glared at my mate.
“Greetings, your majesty.” Layton bowed.
“Why are you here?” Father questioned.
“I believe I made my reason known to you many years ago. I always keep my promises, Alpha.”
Years ago? Reason? It couldn’t possibly be what I was thinking, could it? My heads snapped to the right where Layton stood, looking straight into my father’s eyes. I stepped back when his eyes turned red. Only Lycans had red eyes.
“You’re him.”
Aphrodite was quick to get up as soon as the pieces clicked together. He was the reason she was here in the first place.
“No, no.” He shook his head, “This body isn’t mine. Layton Hunter is your true mate, but I, Mavros, I am your destruction. I want to watch you kill the one meant for you, so believe me when I say that I will make your life a living nightmare.”
“What?”
“Don’t even try to change your fate. No one can change what has been ordained by the gods.”