The king is dead

Rhea's POV

“Go back to your room Rhea!” Kayden's voice echoed, and I could feel the ground beneath my feet tremble.

“But….” I tried to protest, and he gave me a frightening glare.

There was something about the way he stared at me that made me obey him against my will. Without putting up a fight, I hurriedly went back to my room. Why did he have to knock it out of my hand? Could the drink be poisoned?

Regret washed over me, as I felt belittled immediately. Who did he think he was to order me around like that?

I angrily took the veil off my face, flinging it across the room.

A maid knocked on the door, with a tray of food in her hand. I snatched it from her, slamming the door aggressively and devouring my food like a hungry tiger.

In less than ten minutes I had already fallen asleep.

By the time I woke up the next morning, my head was spinning. The maids had come to give me the usual bath, and all the other ceremonies of getting me dolled up followed suit.

I dreaded as night awaited because I knew the Alpha King would surely come to consummate our marriage.

But, he didn't and that was how I spent two peaceful nights without the beast or any sight of Kayden. I used that opportunity to give myself a tour around the packhouse.

“My queen, the King is back” Alysia came to inform me the moment I woke up.

My eyes immediately became watery.

Why did that old man have to return?

She hurriedly came to get me ready, wanting to make me look like a doll for the king.

And as tradition demanded, I had prepared a nice meal before we would do anything.

While we both sat at the dining table, I watched the old man eat, fear gripping my very soul.

Soon, I would become nothing, but prey for him to pounce on.

I walked out of the dining room when I couldn't take it anymore.

I waited patiently in his room, a veil over my face and a hole in my heart.

I now belonged to a monster.

I heard the door being opened from outside, and I curled myself up.

“My queen!” He complimented, as he walked into the room.

He made his way over to me, with his face leaning close to mine. He lifted the veil from my face and forced eye contact between us.

I could see the lust in his eyes, but worst of all. I could perceive his horrible breath.

Without asking for permission, he leaned closer, placing his lips on my neck.

I pinched myself, trying to channel the pain in my heart to another part of my body.

I shut my eyes, wanting the moment to be over quickly. But, before he could even take his clothes off, his expression changed completely.

His face turned blue, as he struggled for air. His hands gripping the sheets of the bed, desperate to hold on to something.

The room fell silent; the only sound was the King's labored breathing. He suddenly began to convulse. His eyes met with mine one last time, and then his gaze darkened. He fell forward, with no signs of life in him.

“Alpha!!” I screamed.

I tapped him on the face continually.

“Alpha, can you hear me?” I called out to him again.

I placed my index finger beneath his nose, to check if he was breathing.

Panic set in when I didn't feel any air. Trying to control my fear, I placed my ear on his chest to listen for his heartbeat.

“Help!!!” I screamed, running out of the room like a crazy person.

One of the warriors rushed towards me.

He walked over to the Alpha King, observing him. He glared at me and immediately signaled another warrior to hold me.

“What are you doing? Let me go!” I screamed when my arms were forcefully twisted behind my back.

The warrior had me pinned to the wall, before tying my arms with a rope.

Everyone in the packhouse gathered for the first time. I saw all the five wives of the King in one place, as they gossiped amongst themselves.

“The king is dead!” Beta Sage announced.

My heart sank to my stomach. I was dragged to the courtyard, in the middle of the night .

I am sure the news of the King's death had reached everybody in the packhouse, as everyone gathered.

My chest felt heavy, and my breath ceased. Numerous thoughts crossed my mind at that point.

And what I dreaded the most, became my reality when I noticed a six foot figure fully armed, charging towards me.

The warrior lifted his sword, about to cut me open when a deep voice emerged from behind him.

“STOP!” Kayden walked towards me.

His voice pierced through the air, commanding silence from the murmuring crowd.

I felt myself sinking to the floor, as he approached me..I couldn't tell if he was coming to defend me or to kill me himself.

“You cannot kill her. We don't know if she killed him or not” Kayden spoke in my defense.

I finally let out the air trapped in my chest, as he knelt to untie me.

“I am sorry, my prince. But, she was the last person to speak to the Alpha King before his mysterious passing. It's obvious she has a hand in this. And as per the rules guiding the werewolf community. Anyone found guilty of killing a member of the royal family. The punishment is instant death.” Beta Asher, the Alpha’s King wingman insisted.

“She will face the consequences, only when she is found guilty by the council of wolves. But, as for now, she is innocent,” he defended.

He helped me to get on my feet, standing firmly in front of me.

“But Prince Kayden…” one of the warriors attempted to speak…

“But nothing. Anyone so determined to kill her will have to go to me first,” he held my hand.

“Everyone go back to your rooms. It's late already; by tomorrow, the council of wolves will decide on this matter,” He ordered.

I was shocked when no single soul stood up against him. They just bowed their heads and left. Even the queens feared him.

Why is he feared so much? It's as though no one could stand up to him. How dreadful could he really be?

“Thank you” I appreciated him.

“Don't think too much about it. I don’t care if you die or not. I just want them to kill you the right way.” He hissed and walked away from me.

He is such a strange person. First he saves me, and then he decides to just leave me like that?

My eyes widened at the mention of my death. I dusted myself as I walked towards my room.

“You are not allowed to sleep here” Beta Asher stood in front of my room.

“What?” I was shocked.

“This room is meant to be occupied by one of the Alpha's queens. Until you are proven innocent, you have been stripped of this position” he informed me.

His heights and looks were frightening enough. No one needed to tell me to respect myself as I walked away.

Where was I going to pass the night?

I headed towards the garden. I sat down on the bench, staring blankly at the sky.

Did I really sign my own death sentence by coming into this place?.

These people are all heartless, not a single soul cared for me. I wiped my tears with the back of my palm, as I laid on the bench.

“My queen” I heard Alysia’s faint voice.

I forced myself to look at her, with teary eyes.

“It's okay, you don't have to call me that” I smiled at her.

“I know you didn't do anything, please come and spend the night in my room. I have a private room, since I am a chief maid” she insisted.

“Won't you get into trouble?” I asked her.

“No one would know,” she persisted.

Left with no other option, I had to cover myself up with the huge blanket she brought along.

I did this, so I could follow her into her room without raising any suspicion.

“Thank you” I appreciated her, as we both sat on the bed.

She was about to speak, when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Alysia, open this door right now!” A deep male voice commanded.