< 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.

< Serena >

Lesson number one duly noted. Don't assume or miscalculate anything when it came to this realm's creatures of the night.

Right when the prince hightailed out of the room, I remained dumbstruck, thinking of how fast the events were happening. He made a deal. I accepted. And now I couldn't leave this manor despite the looming arrival of the King.

Truth be told I didn't want to meet him again, but my desire to return to the 'human realm'��as what they called it��outweighed my dislike of this guy. I only needed to talk to him in a civil manner, keep my presence constant until he learns to respect women.

Or...until Elijah brings me back to my realm.

Never mind the King respecting women. With that ogre-like attitude, I highly doubt he'd change. Ever.

Blinking fast, I gathered back my composure and looked around. Out of all the things that caught my attention inside the enormous bathroom was the pool. It was rectangular in shape. Water was falling from a stone pipeline attached to the wall. The way its liquid shimmered against the sun's rays past the dome ceiling enticed me to test it. Elijah said so himself the water would feel comforting on my skin. I knew I just had to try it before the King arrives.

So, without hesitation, I undressed and neatly placed my chemise and underwear for later use on a table nearby.

The moment my legs submerged underwater, I was lost. The water was that enchanting and invigorating. The plan was to dip, swim a little and leave the pool, enough that the King wouldn't find me swimming naked. Surely, with how big this manor was and how numerous the rooms were, I doubt he'd come straight here.

I fucking miscalculated.

Minutes later, I was busily finger-combing my hair when I sensed a presence behind me. As expected, it was the King.

My first instinct was to leap onto the water, hide my whole body from his view and swim as far away from him as possible. When I resurfaced, I was well out of his reach.

Now, judging from the passive look on his face, he didn't seem surprised of my presence in his manor, but he looked totally pissed off that I was using his pool.

His pool.

And that only meant Prince Elijah placed me in the King's chamber. He didn't even inform me of that very important tidbit. Damn him.

I wanted to point out his rude attitude towards me but I was reminded by the prince's words and our deal. Maybe starting a civil conversation would help make my time with him bearable.

I was wrong.

Not only was his attitude defective, he was perverted too. I mean a man who's in his right mind wouldn't want to strip himself naked in front of a woman. Well, not unless that said woman was his lover or the like.

But I wasn't one. He should have comported himself properly yet he didn't, choosing to intimidate me with his...royal body and his massive appendage.

I couldn't deny it. I wanted to see more. I wanted to ogle at the hard planes of his abdomen, the sinews, the cuts, and the well-toned abs. Where most of the kings I knew on Earth had portly bodies and bulbous abdomen, this Phanteon King was checking all the right marks of an Armani model wannabe, and more. So much more.

He certainly didn't disappoint on the handsome department too. He was a whole package of a truly rightful, perfect king of a kingdom.

If only he didn't come to be such a prick.

During our conversation, the man continued with his prickly attitude, dared to call Earth garbage��which partly I'm ashamed of��and rudely told me he didn't want to know my name.

I couldn't control myself. I didn't care anymore if he was the king. I just had to make him see how rude he was with me.

In the end, I only fueled his fire more. He actually threatened me, speaking of a side of him that's worth fearing. He must have been talking about his monstrous side as a werewolf or lycan. It wasn't hard to decipher. Elijah himself told me they were that kind of creature.

But yeah, I admit it. With the way he looked murderously at me, I was scared. However, at that moment, I learned lesson number two:

I should never, ever show my fear. It would only inflate his already oversized ego.

Thirty minutes after that disastrous meeting happened, I decided to leave the pool. Cautiously, I raced to get my chemise and underwear and headed for the drying room. My plan was to leave the King's chamber and find another room far, far away as possible. Luckily, I didn't see him again on my way out.

In my quest to find a room that hit my specifications, I passed by hallways and stairs. The manor was big enough to actually house five football teams, plus their girlfriends or wives, whichever is applicable. It was as grand as I expected it to be. Like the Buckingham Palace but with better and bolder artisan craftsmanship.

I found one that suited to my taste. Not that small and not that big. It had a book nook next to a large living area and a hearth that housed impressive-looking neon red stones.

The bedchamber was separated in a next room that provided ceiling-high windows. I tested the bed and it was as soft as the one I used in the King's chamber. It had a four poster frame too but with sheer drapes of white instead of thick dark blue. Totally my kind of sleeping set-up if I were to go on a holiday in the Caribbean's.

I checked the bathroom and it was beautiful. Not as enormous as the King's with the pool, but I preferred it this way. A glass shower in the corner, a bath tub opposite it, and a countertop with an oval-shaped mirror decorated with delicate lines and curves��basically all the essentials were present and enough to keep my stay in this realm bearable.

There was one thing I'm worried though and it was my clothes. The wardrobe of this chamber didn't have ready dresses and I doubt the rest of the chambers would have one especially for a female such as myself.

I thought of the prince and a little bit of hope sparked inside me. Most likely he was intelligent enough to bring me clothes next time we meet. The problem with that was I'm clueless when he'd visit me again.

I hope though it would be soon.

After I settled on my chosen room, the next agenda on my list was to find food. Fortunately, I found the dining area and the kitchen after twenty minutes of searching. It was located on the second floor of the manor, right next to a music room and a gym.

Yes, there was actually a gym in this realm and it had a typical set-up like the ones I saw on Earth. A grin formed on my lips as I thought of using this in the duration of my stay here, the perfect way to while my time away.

In the kitchen, I was lucky enough to have found food and not just any food, a serious variety of menu pre-made and stored in a neat refrigerator-like cabinet. I pulled out a plate of waffles and it magically turned hot and steaming right in front of me. I pulled out fresh cut fruits wishing they taste like those on Earth. They did and more. They were savory and rich with color and texture.

It seems like this realm had some magical qualities to their food. I didn't care. I didn't complain. As long as my tummy was filled, then I'm good.

Moving on, I spent most of my time touring the manor��its inner walls and the manicured gardens surrounding the building. I figured the King already left and I had the freedom to walk without worrying of bumping into him.

I had the entire place to myself. There were no guards like before and there were no servants also. It was my own piece of sanctum and I was finally enjoying myself since I was transported to this realm.

Until the next morning came...

And I realized I spoke too soon.

With the rising of the sun, the sour face of the King was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.

Dear me, I figured that instant I was about to get laid...

To my grave.