5

Carla.

When I looked out the window, I was greeted by a breathtaking scene that I had never before witnessed in my life. The view was so exquisite, so utterly mesmerizing, that it stole my breath away and left me momentarily paralyzed.

It felt as though I had been transported into a magical realm, one that could only exist in fairy tales or the vivid imagination of a dreamer.

I even forgot all the questions that had been continually swirling in my mind, questions that had plagued me relentlessly and kept me awake during countless sleepless nights. It was as if the beauty of the scene outside had the power to silence the storm raging within me, replacing my confusion with awe and wonder.

The king assisted me in stepping out of the limo and then asked me with a questioning expression, "So, how do you feel about the scene?" His voice was calm yet commanding, filled with the authority of someone who was used to being in control. His tone carried a subtle pride, as if he already knew the answer I would give and was simply waiting for me to confirm his confidence. I hesitated, struggling to find words that could adequately describe the emotions coursing through me. How could I possibly articulate the overwhelming sensation of standing before such unparalleled beauty, of witnessing something so extraordinary that it felt like a dream come to life?

Words couldn't capture how much I adored the location. An amazing castle stood proudly in the distance, its stone walls emanating an air of timeless grandeur and mystery. A breathtaking lake, shimmering like liquid silver under the sunlight, stretched out before it, reflecting the sky in its serene surface. Enormous trees, their ancient trunks thick and gnarled, towered over the landscape, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. They seemed incredibly rare—trees I had never even seen in movies, as if they belonged to another world entirely. And to top it all off, a verdant mountain loomed in the background, its lush greenery cascading down its slopes like a living tapestry. The entire scene felt like a masterpiece painted by the hand of nature itself.

I made a fool of myself and opened my mouth, saying, "Am I dreaming?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, exposing my disbelief and vulnerability. My voice trembled slightly, betraying the confusion and awe that warred within me. I felt foolish for asking such a question, but in that moment, it truly seemed as though I had stepped into a fantasy, one that defied the logic and reason of the world I had always known.

The king gave a dismissive shake of his head and stated, "No, it's just the beginning of your new life, with me as your king." His words were spoken with a certainty that left no room for doubt, and yet there was something unsettling about the way he said them. His tone was both reassuring and authoritative, as though he were promising me a future I had no choice but to accept. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions—both fear and excitement—at the prospect of starting this so-called new life with him.

His words felt tainted to me, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel elated to finally begin a life filled with respect. For so long, I had craved the chance to be treated with dignity, to be seen and valued as someone worthy of admiration. And yet, there was a shadow hanging over his words, a darkness that hinted at secrets I couldn’t yet understand. My heart was torn between hope and apprehension, unsure of what lay ahead but unable to resist the pull of the unknown future he promised.

I managed a feeble smile and said to him, "Thank you, my king. However, I do have quite a few questions." My voice was soft, almost hesitant, as though I feared the consequences of voicing my curiosity. There were so many things I didn’t understand, so many mysteries surrounding him and the life he was offering me. I needed answers, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear them.

He then placed his finger on my lips and said, "Carla, you can call me 'Thunder' at this point. You will be my luna by tomorrow." His touch was light but firm, silencing me before I could protest. His words were spoken with an air of finality, as though the matter was already decided and my opinion didn’t matter. The name "Thunder" sounded strange to me, unfamiliar and powerful, much like the man who bore it. And the thought of becoming his luna filled me with a mixture of dread and excitement, leaving me speechless.

I stuttered and shook as I uttered, "Okay, Thunder." It was difficult to address him by his given name, not because he was the ruler of all werewolves, but rather because he was an older man! The disparity in our ages made the situation feel even more surreal, as though I were caught in a story that didn’t belong to me. And yet, there was something about him—something commanding and magnetic—that made it impossible to resist his presence.

After encircling me in his arms, he led me inside the castle while saying, "Come with me. Now is a good time to address all your questions. Walk through the door with me." His embrace was firm but not unkind, guiding me forward as though he were leading me into a new chapter of my life. His words held a promise, a reassurance that the answers I sought would soon be revealed. And yet, there was an undertone of urgency in his voice, as though time itself were pressing down upon us.

As if I had no choice but to obey him and walk alongside him. Despite this, the interior of the castle appeared to be enormous and flawless; however, I didn’t notice everything because he hurriedly took me upstairs until he stopped in front of one of the castle's doors. The grandeur of the castle was overwhelming, its halls filled with an air of opulence and mystery. But I had little time to take it all in, as he moved with purpose, leading me away from the splendor and toward something unknown.

He walked up behind me, opened the door, and said, "Come on in." His voice was calm but insistent, urging me to step forward and cross the threshold into the room beyond. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest as I wondered what awaited me on the other side. But his presence behind me was a constant reminder that I had no choice but to follow his lead.

I felt as though I had stepped into a fairy tale when I saw the enormous bedroom, complete with a bed fit for a king. The sight of the bed caused me to shudder. Its grandeur was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, a symbol of the power and luxury that surrounded him. And yet, it also filled me with a sense of unease, as though it held secrets I wasn’t ready to uncover.

I blinked and immediately asked him, "Why are we even here? You mentioned that the first step in our plan is to officially get mated." My voice was sharper now, laced with suspicion and doubt. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his intentions than he was letting on, that he was hiding something from me. And I needed to know the truth, no matter how unsettling it might be.

Yes, I suspected he was lying to me and only wanted to use me before sending me to his slaves' house. The thought filled me with dread, a gnawing fear that I couldn’t ignore. I didn’t trust him—not completely—and the uncertainty of his motives weighed heavily on my mind. Was I simply a pawn in his game, a means to an end that I couldn’t yet understand?

He began to undress until he was in his underwear. I immediately dropped my head and closed my eyes, but he coaxed me to open them and look at him. His actions were bold and unapologetic, a display of confidence that left me both flustered and confused. I didn’t know what to make of his behavior, and my instincts screamed at me to look away. But his voice, firm and commanding, left me little choice but to obey.

"We are here to provide you with the answers you seek. Relax; I don’t have any intention of stealing your virginity right this second." "Look at me now," he instructed in a hushed voice. His words were meant to reassure me, but they only deepened my unease. There was something in his tone, something both gentle and insistent, that made it impossible to ignore him. I forced myself to raise my eyes, focusing only on his face and avoiding the rest of his body.

Then he grabbed my hand, placed it on his aroused member, and said, "Let me show you something. See? My interest is piqued." His actions shocked me, leaving me speechless and trembling with a mixture of fear and confusion. I didn’t understand what he was trying to prove, and the intimacy of the moment was overwhelming. It felt like a test, a challenge that I wasn’t prepared to face.

I sputtered and looked at him in bewilderment before asking, "What exactly do you mean? Isn’t that just the norm?" My voice was shaky, filled with uncertainty as I struggled to comprehend his words. Surely there was nothing unusual about his reaction—wasn’t it simply a natural response? But the intensity in his eyes told me there was more to the story, something deeper that I couldn’t yet grasp.

He shook his head and put on his clothes again. After a moment, he assisted me in taking a seat on the bed and sat down next to me, saying, "I'm sorry. To me, that is not the norm. Never in the past 20 years; never. After my wife passed away, I found I could never become aroused. But the moment my eyes laid upon your beauty, everything shifted. You made me feel alive again." His confession was raw and vulnerable, a glimpse into the pain and loneliness he had carried for so long. And yet, his words only deepened my confusion, leaving me unsure of how to respond.

I responded to his statement, "I’m sure you loved her so much that’s why you couldn’t touch another she-wolf, that’s all." My voice was soft, almost hesitant, as though I didn’t want to offend him. I tried to rationalize his feelings, to make sense of the emotions he was sharing with me. But deep down, I knew there was more to his story than he was letting on.

He laughed and said, "Not really. I will tell you a secret that only my closest men knew..." After pausing for a moment, he continued, "I brutally killed my luna." His words were like a thunderclap, shattering the fragile sense of security I had begun to feel. My heart stopped, and I stared at him in shock, unable to process the gravity of his confession. The weight of his secret hung heavily in the air, leaving me reeling with disbelief.