< Serena >

I woke up surprisingly without a pounding headache despite remembering I lost consciousness in the middle of a balcony��the so-called King's balcony no less. I should have hit the ground, gained a concussion or maybe broken my spine, but I felt as healthy as I was before all these hullabaloo started. Either the balcony had seriously soft ground or my fall was cut��I couldn't really remember what happened after I lost consciousness, but either way, it was to my advantage.

All memories of over the last few hours��or minutes? or days? I don't really now��had returned to me like flood the moment my eyes flitted open. My instant comment was, 'Yes, I'm actually inside a fantasy world, how great is that?!" But my sane mind interjected, reminding me that yeah, my head was under threat of dismemberment. That arrogant man who called himself King promised I'd be beheaded in the first light of day.

Quickly, I surveyed myself and the place I was in. I was on a bed with very soft mattress and pillows, wearing a rather silky short dress that was up to the knee. I scrunched up my nose. Clearly, I wasn't on my own bed and in my pajamas, and that meant I wasn't dreaming the events I remembered with those men.

The bed was a four-poster, its thick drapes were spread up to cover the mattress entirely. Darkness enveloped me inside. I had to extend my arm just so I could reach the cloth and check the outside environment.

My heart skipped a beat. It was daylight. Possibly even morning. Meaning, my time was up and I'd likely kiss my head goodbye soon.

A feeling of dread washed over me then.

"Oh no..." I muttered, shaking my head. "No, no, no, no, no! I got to find a way out of this place!"

I scrambled to leave the bed, pushing myself out of the darkness and into the light. When my feet hit the cold, shiny floor that's when I saw two guards standing near an open door on the right, dressed in armors and helmets. They looked seriously like Mobile Legend wannabes with all the dangerous vibe and pointed, heavy-looking spears.

I placed a hand over my mouth to stifle my gasp. Despite their covered faces, I felt their eyes on me, but luckily, they didn't move. Not an inch. Just like those guards in the Buckingham Palace. Good.

Turning around, I looked for another way out of the room. There was a second door on the left, near the bed, so slowly so as not to arouse suspicion, I neared it. Once inside, I groaned, feeling disappointed upon seeing the familiar set-up of a comfort room with glass walls and a huge, steaming pool.

"You'll find the water very comforting on your skin once you dip in the pool. Try it, I insist, " a male voice suddenly stated behind me.

I whirled around to see my intruder and there he was, the man whom I remembered to be the King's brother.

"I am Prince Elijah at your service, brother of King Aero of the Kingdom of Phanteon, Royal Adviser to His Majesty and a self-confessed ladies man. May I know your name, Beautiful Maiden?"

Instead of answering him, I furrowed my brows and said, "Pleasantries are useless when you are here to assist me to my doom."

"Doom?" his brow arched up and he looked confused. "What made you think of that?"

I scoffed. What was this man playing at?

"If I recall correctly, your cruel brother sentenced me to death by beheading for stupid reasons."

"Oh, no, don't worry about that, " he quickly shook his head. "He was just talking nonsense. Don't take it personally."

"He threatened me, " I placed a hand on my chest. "Of course, I'd take it personally."

But my show of bravado was ignored. He just shrugged his shoulders and looked unconcerned.

"You'll get used to it, promise. Plus, my brother doesn't always have that acidic attitude. You'll find that he has a caring side too."

"What makes you think I want to know more about him?" I hissed. "I'm supposed to be at home. Where is this place anyway and why am I here?"

As much as I'm a fan of Fantasy, I didn't think staying in this place would be healthy. One, I have no idea how to survive: I have no money, no shelter to call my own, no belongings even, and no Akita, my favorite Siberian husky pet to give me my daily dose of happy pill. Second, I'm not even sure where this place is. It seems like Earth to me, but I don't know what food they eat or if they even eat at all. Them using English as a language was a bonus, but still, that advantage was outweighed by the many disadvantages.

The man named Prince Elijah didn't seem offended by my authoritative tone of voice. He looked amused even.

"Well, uhm, instead of bringing you to the dungeon as per the King's wishes, I took you to this manor instead, " he answered. "This place is far from the castle, don't worry. This is a safe place for you to stay while we sort your uhm...situation. You said so yourself you just touched a painting and then poof, you were suddenly transported to the King's bed."

I hesitantly nodded. "Yes, that's a simple way to put it." I couldn't wrap my head around what had actually happened back in my room, but at least now, I had somebody who might have information, or at least that's what I hoped he has.

"The King's guess is as good as mine, you may have come from a different realm, " the prince stated. "Can you morph into a creature? Show fangs instead? Or drink blood? Maybe cast spells? Produce scales and horns? Or maybe you're like those Fae people with their ethereal beauty and irresistible sensuality. You certainly are beautiful and sexy, definitely perfect for my bro��"

"What are you talking about?" I frowned. Whatever he was going with his conversation, I didn't want any part in it. This man must have had his head deformed. If I'm right, he was certainly referring to cryptozoology stuff.

"Hmmm, judging from your answer and your odd reactions last night, I now know what you are, " he bobbed his head up and down as if sure with his guess. "You're a human."

I blinked many times when he said it and for a moment, I wanted to laugh.

"So are you, " I replied, tossing him a pointed look from head to foot. I mean come'on, it was a no brainer. He looked like human in my eyes. He had a normal-looking head, limbs and torso. And he even had a bulge��maybe not as visible as the King's, but a bulge still��under his pants that housed that anatomical part for procreation and other purposes...

The prince then laughed a little. "Oh no, no, no. I'm different. I...uhm...well, this is difficult. How do I say this." He scratched his head looking almost shy. "Since the realms were created, there never has been a report where a human trespassed worlds. We made sure humans were clueless of our existence and we kept that law sacred, even until now. You are the first in this Kingdom to appear."

"Realms?" I parroted, almost choking up the word. "That's quite a strong word to use. Let me guess, you are creatures that only exist in books."

"Pft!" Now the man truly laughed out loud. I glared at him, taking offense on his action.

Luckily, a few seconds later he stopped.

"I'm sorry, that was wrong of me, but I can't help it. We are real after all, " he declared. "We are not just characters in books. You are in the Kingdom of Phanteon. A world where only werewolves and lycans exist."

That's it. This prince really had a brain damage, but after all I experienced last night and these past few minutes, I certainly could tell he was telling the truth.

"Werewolves... Lycans..." I tested each word on my tongue. They felt rough and unusual, and totally bonkers, but another part of me was trying to make good sense of the words. "You mean like Teen Wolf and Underworld?"

Prince Elijah opened his mouth, looking dumb. "I don't get what you're saying. Is that a thing in the human world?"

'Huh, ' my mind laughed at the irony.

"I'd already tag you as a certified nutjob if it wasn't for this weird room I'm in or the guards flamboyantly dressed near the doorway. I remember what I saw last night too: a balcony view of a settlement that I'd only believe exist in the fantasy world, and I remember just how instantly I changed locations after touching the painting, like magic, so I'd say you are really telling the truth."

"I like that your dissecting information in a rather calm way, " he grinned.

"What would you have me do? Shout like a lunatic? Ask you to��what?��transform in front of me? No way that's going to happen. I already passed out last night because of sudden surprise. I don't want that to happen again."

"May I know your name please?" he suddenly changed subject. This time, I could tell in his eyes he was being genuine.

"Serena McAllister, " I blurted out.

"Hmm, Vas��lissa Serena. I like the sound of it."

At that, I tossed him a confused and sharp look. What was he talking about? I'm pretty sure he used Greek language, but what did the word meant? And how does this man know how to speak English and Greek to begin with?

"Anyway, I know some people who might have an answer to your situation, " he walked past the door and into the interior of the bathroom, stood near the steaming pool and stared at me again. "Who could even bring you back to the human realm. I'll help you, but in return, you must help me too."

I hauled in a deep breath.

"I'm not sure if I should trust you, " I said without any hesitation.

He placed a fist right on his chest and briefly dipped his head towards me.

"I'm the King's brother. I'm a royal and royals always keep their word. Plus, I just saved your life from execution haven't I?"

At this point in my life, I didn't think trusting him would harm me. Considering the situation, I didn't have much advantage to begin with. I'm vulnerable in this kingdom he called Phanteon and as much as I hated it, he was my only hope for survival and returning to my home.

I hissed. "Okay, point taken. What do you want me to do?"

"Oh well, nothing, " he was for a moment a little hesitant to continue. "I just...well..I want you to rid of the King's hate of women."

"Your brother hates women?" I asked, taken aback. No wonder the prick looked at me like a pest last night. Does he actually have gynophobia? That's tough.

"Yeah, " the prince trailed off, "it's an issue the Kingdom has for many years now and because of it, we are having difficulties getting an heir."

My jaw tensed. "If you're saying I carry his children then I'm out."

Don't get me wrong, I love children. I even volunteered to work in a nearby orphanage house to take care of the orphans once a week after my day job. I just didn't like the idea of spreading my legs in exchange for a favor. That's just downright immoral. I wouldn't stoop that low even if it meant I wouldn't be able to return to my world and be stranded in this God-damned realm.

"No, " the prince quickly answered, but then he diverted his eyes from me to the pool and trailed off once again. "No... I just want you to gradually desensitize him using your presence��just your presence and maybe establish conversation too? One that will not lead to an argument? My brother is very blunt with his words."

I groaned inwardly. "I'm aware. I got a taste of it last night."

"Well, good, " he flashed a grin. "You have a head start. Is it a deal then?"

"If you promise I could return home, then it's a deal, " I boomeranged.

"Promise..." He trailed off the third time. It was getting on my nerves. I shouldn't trust this man completely.

"When will we start?" I asked.

He smiled at me and answered, "Now, actually. This manor is the King's sanctum. He always comes here everyday." He looked up at the giant glass dome directly above the pool, stared at it for a couple of seconds and then continued, "Right about now actually. He is on his way here, so that means I probably should get going. I certainly don't want to receive his ire early in the morning. He'd likely put two and two together and will immediately blame me for your presence here."

"What?!" I gasped, surprised by his words. I didn't think I'd be seeing the King so soon and here in this place no less. "I thought I'd only meet the King in court and royal gatherings, " I voiced out as he walked past me and into the bedroom. "That's usually the case in my world, not unless I'm family or the...mistress of the King, but I'm not. Don't you think I'd be sentencing my head again when he sees me here? He certainly didn't approve when I appeared in his chamber last night."

Prince Elijah paused from walking and gave me a thumbs up, "You'll be fine. I have great faith in you."

"That's not very assuring, Your High��ness, " I frowned at him.

"I'll see you in the castle soon." He winked at me and without a wave goodbye, waltzed out of the room leaving me to defend myself against the biggest, baddest wolf in this Kingdom.

Literally.

< Aero >

The Kingdom of Phanteon is vast and grand. Naturally, I would place watch towers in every boundary to make sure our land was well-guarded. In addition, I ordered guards to make rounds every hour day and night. The realms have had nothing but peace ever since it was created, but it pays to be vigilant sometimes.

My men were doing well with their duties, but being the King that I am, I also preferred to check the lands from time to time, be outside the castle and see if everything was in order.

Evenings were my best times to shift into my lycan form. I'd run all over the kingdom, sometimes not stopping for hours until dawn hits the horizon. It was my way of keeping up with my form and stamina. I found running exhilarating and I found it a good way to de-stress from the dramas of my court.

Like for example, in this very night where I just found out my crown was under threat.

My father was known to use underhanded means in getting what he wants. I never expected he'd use it on me. When Elijah told me about the decree, I immediately called the council, ordered them to eradicate it, but unfortunately for me, they refused, saying my father's words were absolute, nonnegotiable and executory.

I had to control myself not to deliver all of them six feet under. I'm now the Alpha. I'm now the King. I was supposed to have full control over my subjects but it seems my father made it sure I couldn't worm my way out of this problem.

The hell.

Running around my kingdom successfully decreased my anger of the night's unfortunate events. I had calmed down, but still the thought of having to take a woman to be my queen still lingered on my head. As to how I'd do it, I do not know yet, but I'd be sure to use underhanded means to fulfill the decree.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. It's time to use my father's teachings against him.

When the early morning sun hit my metallic black fur, it was my cue to return, but instead of going back directly to the castle, I went to my manor that was located in a nearby lake, northeast of my kingdom. Made with the finest stones in the land, my father gifted this abode to me when I successfully first shifted at the age of twelve.

This manor had since become my place of sanctum. The only place free of worries, ministers, and women. Mostly especially them.

I was looking forward to a peaceful bath inside my bathroom; however, exactly the moment I stepped inside the entrance of the building, I sensed a presence. Someone was inside and it was giving out a scent that was both enticing and poisonous to my nose.

I was in a guarded mode immediately.

Slowly, I traced where the scent was coming from and it led me to my chamber. The intruder had the gall to actually trespass my most sacred space.

But instead of frowning more, I grinned, looking forward to ripping this intruder's head off with my bare hands.

As I entered my bedroom, the scent grew stronger and stronger. I was torn between gagging and relishing it. I was certainly almost tempted to do the latter and that made me angry all the more. This intruder could be using magic in order to get to me.

Once inside, I looked around but there was none in my chamber. No sign of any soul at all, both living or dead, or otherwise.

It was only when I opened the double doors of the bathroom when the scent really did hit me in large volumes. I growled in displeasure.

Maybe it was the oils used that threw me off earlier, that's why I hadn't really realized who it was immediately, but now, as I stood in front of a very naked woman using my pool, I knew for a certain who she was.

The first thought that crossed my mind that moment was, 'I'm going to wring Elijah's head for this.'

The woman was sitting comfortably on a partly submerged section of the pool, but I could see clearly she was butt naked like I was whenever I shift back to my human form. I was certainly naked earlier too, but all thanks to witch magic, werewolves and lycans alike didn't need to worry about procuring a dress post shift. Now, I was properly garbed in my casual outfit of white tunic and loose trousers; a perfect look to interrogate this woman again.

The way her back curved and the way it looked flawless and pristinely white against the sun's rays, it tempted my eyes to ogle instead of looking away. I clenched my hands, feeling disappointed with my idiotic show of weakness. She was just showing a lovely, feminine back. No big deal. But I hated how I couldn't keep my eyes off of it.

I continued to look on, still deliberating on how to interrupt her, but then out-of-the-blue she stopped drying her hair and glanced up.

Our eyes met; hers instantly showed surprise while mine, seesawing between anger and amusement.

"Shit!" she cried out before she jumped into the water.

I neared the pool, chose to stand directly above the sloping steps to block her exit and then waited for her to resurface.

After a minute, she did, but she was on the other side of the pool away from my reach.

"Here I thought I still had time to take a bath before your arrival. I guess I was wrong, " she stated, flatly giving me a disappointed look. Her face was to me, but her body was pressed up against the pool tile as if trying to shield her nakedness from my view.

Huh, as if I wanted to look at those insignificant pieces of reproductive organs.

I cocked a brow and puffed my chest, feeling proud of myself. "I wouldn't argue with that. Unfortunately for you, I'm a fast runner."

"You're not surprised with my presence here, " she pointed out.

I crouched down the floor and dipped a finger on the water, testing its temperature. It was oddly warm and inviting. As if the stream that sourced my pool's water approved of this woman's bathing activities.

"I haven't yet fully grasped as to why you magically ended up here instead of the dungeon, and with a complete head at that, " I started, "but I have a strong suspicion my dear brother had a hand on this. He'll get what's due to him and as for you, well, I'll decide later once you step out of my pool. You see, I just came from a good run and I'm feeling dirty and tired. I'm yet to take a bath and peacefully enjoy my water."

She tipped her chin up, picking up the hint I gave her. I'm not fond of sharing my possessions, my water included, so that means she's absolutely not welcomed here.

"Then, would it be too much for His Highness to leave?" she stated and then pointed her eyes down the water. "I'd appreciate if you'd give me a private time to...wear decent clothes."

"No, " I answered quickly, a tick on my jaw appearing. "I'm the King. This is my manor. You don't get to order me what to do."

"I heard you hate women, Your Majesty."

"Correct."

"Then, I presume you also hate watching them fully naked right?"

"Of course."

For a millisecond, I almost hesitated to answer. The vision of her naked back earlier popped inside my head. I didn't want to admit it to myself that my eyes enjoyed it. Damn sense organs. They are traitors.

"Then it's a win-win solution, " she continued. "You leave. I get to wear my clothes privately. You get to bathe in your pool."

She had the audacity to negotiate with me. My eyes turned to slits and I stood up.

"How about this? You leave now. I bathe. I don't care a thing whatever you flaunt with that ghastly body of yours."

Her face cringed for a moment. "Prince Elijah warned me about your colorful words."

"Good. That means I don't need to sugarcoat everything I say to you. Now, are you going to leave or not? You're wasting my time, woman. I'm not a patient man."

Her brows knotted, showing that she was under stress. I couldn't care less if that was the case. It was her fault she decided to bathe in my pool in the very beginning.

"I'm going to stay here until you leave, " she finally stated, lifting her chin again and giving me a serious gaze. "I'm not a voyeur, Your High��ness, and I'm certainly not the kind of woman who struts her tits and genital in public."

Quite a problematic woman as expected.

Clenching my teeth, I took in a deep breath so as to control my anger. If she didn't want to leave my pool then so be it.

"Not my problem then, " I said and then I started stripping.

"Wha...what are you doing?" she asked, suddenly her voice shaky. Was it because of fear or awkwardness, I cared less. Let her feel it as a form of my punishment.

I dropped my tunic on the floor and continued unbuckling my belt whilst giving her a sharp glare. "Taking my well-deserved bath of course."

When I pulled down my trousers, she immediately turned her head away. From a fair skin complexion, her face turned red.

This was a first.

Normally, whenever my female subjects see me, they usually drop their heads low with their faces white as a chalk. This would be my first time seeing a woman responding differently at the sight of me.

Well, this was also a first stripping myself naked in front of a woman. Never in my life had I expected I would do such, but I didn't have a choice. I couldn't let a woman win. I couldn't let her win.

< Aero >

My muscles tensed when I straightened up, standing proud and mighty with all my glory and nakedness. I looked at her. She was still not facing me, acting as if the pool's bleach-white tiles were interesting.

I scoffed at her inattention.

All two hundred and twenty pounds of my weight submerged under water when I entered the pool. I choose to sit on the lowest platform. My favorite spot. It had enough height for me to rest my head against the tiles and an enough depth to soak the lower half of my body.

"Tell me, woman, what is my brother up to?" I asked, breaking the terse silence enveloping us.

She cautiously glanced towards my way and when she noticed my decent-enough look, she fully turned her face to me and answered, "He is hiring me to straighten you up. Desensitize you from your fear of women."

"I don't fear women. I hate them. Those two words are entirely different." I gave her a cold look.

She rolled her eyes to the ceiling and mocked me, "Whatever."

Had she been close to my reach, I would have drowned her that instant for being so insolent, but I reminded myself I'm not a murderer��well, except for the judgment of death I passed on to a capital offense in my kingdom��but that's a different story. In addition, she could be useful in the future. Mayhap become the solution to my current problem. Elijah said so himself.

Damn him for putting this idea in my head.

"And in return for your services, what did he promise you?" I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway whilst I stared back at the dome ceiling.

"He promised to help me return to my own world." As expected. What a typical thing of my brother.

"You mean the Human Realm?" I gazed back at her and saw the crease on her forehead.

"If you wish to call it that, then yes, the human realm."

"I had the notion you were a human the first time we met. You reek of plainness and filth."

"Why would you say that?" Her voice became defensive.

I barely contained myself from grinning. "The Human Realm is too ordinary I considered it to be garbage, " I stated right on the dot.

Her expression changed to that of strong determination, of patriotism and of protectiveness. She must love her realm so much.

"Then I'm sorry to say this but you shouldn't judge that quickly. You haven't even been in my realm before, " she stated.

I flicked my wet finger mid air and looked at her, feeling bored.

"Oh, I have, woman, before the realms were established. All magic creatures coexisted with each other, the human species included. Garbage is quite a fitting name to your realm actually because it is full of garbage."

She seemed to second me there judging from the ashamed look on her face.

I grinned again, seeing that I was right.

She stayed silent for a moment, but then after a few seconds, remarked with her sharp eyes pointed at me. "For a King, you really know how to start a war."

"Start a war?" I parroted, taken aback, "with the Human Realm?" And then, for the first time ever since my father died, I had the loudest belly-aching laugh that resounded all over the bath.

I saw her frown, but I didn't care.

"That is the best joke I heard from a woman!" I stated once I stopped, mocking her deliberately.

"I have a name you know, " she said through clenched teeth. "I'm Serena McAllister."

"I didn't ask for your name and I have zero interest in using it, " I answered without hesitation.

That didn't silence her.

"Your brother told me your kingdom is having problems getting a queen. I didn't need to wonder why. Your atrocious attitude answers it."

"Curb your tongue, woman, or else..." I straightened from my laid-back position and glared at her. My beast wanted to take charge and shift, surprise her with how monstrous I looked and maybe even scare her to death. As a human, for sure she hasn't seen a real lycan before. Her reaction would be entertaining to watch. But, in the end, I managed to keep my beast at bay. "I'm a reasonable king. I forgive and forget, but push my buttons well and you'll find another side of me that's worth fearing."

I stood up, not caring how my cock dangled in front of her, and then walked out of the pool. It seems I wouldn't get a peaceful bath after all with her as my swimming companion.

"So, what happened?" Elijah waltzed inside my study as carefree as he always does. His princely white robe hit the marbled floor with a low-pitched sound as golden beads rubbed against each other.

I hated that sound. It always told me he only came to see me to share tales of his escapade with his mistresses.

I came to care for Elijah the moment he was born even though I knew we didn't share the same father. Honestly, it was the only good my whore of a mother did in her life. She gave me a brother that I could care and protect. But when Elijah came of age, it was evident enough we were different. He swooned over women, praised them and loved them while I did the opposite.

"Don't start with me, Elijah, " I groaned behind the map I was holding. "You know I am displeased with what you did."

He pulled the map down and flashed a smile at me. I rewarded him a frown, shifted on my cushioned seat and began signing papers. The tinted glass behind me reflected a rainbow color against my desk, telling me that the afternoon sun had now began to set. It would be nighttime soon; meaning, I get to spend the rest of my evening either on the run outside the castle walls or on my cozy bed, pleasuring myself.

"Take it as my help, brother, " he answered, cutting me off from my thoughts. "I'm giving you an opportunity. Why not take it? If you use her, our problems will vanish in an instant."

"She's a human, " I pointed out, still looking at the papers.

"So what?" Elijah hit the sofa across my desk with a heavy sound. "She's a woman. Father didn't say you had to take a she-wolf as your bride. Plus, Serena will make a great Luna. I'm sure of it."

He looked at me and winked.

I frowned once more. No thanks to him, I am now stuck with her name in my head. I had honestly forgot about it the moment she mentioned it to me this morning.

"You actually had the gall to make a deal with her, " I stated.

Putting down the pen, I sat back and touched my jaw with my knuckles. My patience was wearing thin and my knuckles were turning white due to the pointless dilemma I'm in. I was itching to punch someone, maybe my brother would make for a good punching bag, or better yet, the mines southwest of my kingdom where its stones could withstand my claws.

"Hmmm, judging from the fact that she's still alive, it means that my plan is working, " he announced with a proud grin, not at all worried with incurring my wrath. "You are slowly desensitizing yourself with your hatred of women, brother. I'm so proud of you."

I growled at him.

"That's impossible, Elijah. My hatred for them runs deep. I'm just giving her the chance to live. She will return to her own world anyway. She won't bother me long. You are going to help her return right?"

"Yes, of course." He shifted on his seat and leaned forward towards me. "It's a promise, although��I didn't say ��when' I will return her." Then I saw the mischievous look on his eyes. "Think of it, Aero, how much I'm already giving you the opportunity. If you use her, you keep your throne. Once your problem is solved, she can return to her world. You hate women, so you don't need to keep her. You don't even need to uhmm...exercise your bedroom rights with her. Everybody is happy. End of story."

Although I didn't like his proposal, upon careful thought, I realized he actually made sense.

Damn him for being such a good royal advisor.

"I am not proposing marriage to her, " I voiced out. Just thinking about showing a gesture of love��kneeling on one knee for example��gave me chills.

Elijah shook his head and waved his hands. "You don't need to. Just make a deal with her, Aero. Treat it as business. As the Alpha King, you're skillful with that."

Silently, I considered his words and yes, he was right again. It was a full proof plan that had zero complications. Surely, she'd take the bait, especially if I use her realm as my leverage.

A slow grin formed on my lips at the thought of fooling my ministers. This was going to be a piece of cake.

"When will you return to the manor?" Elijah asked, seeing already the acceptance on my face.

"Tomorrow morning after my run, " I answered.

"Ok, good. I'll make the necessary preparations for your wedding then." He stood up and smiled widely.