< 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.

< Serena >

The cheers of the people around me were deafeaning. I wanted to cover my ears but I knew I couldn't. Standing tall on a raised platform near the King's throne, I realized I had to comport myself well in front of them as I was now their queen.

Me a queen...

Their queen...

A queen.

The word rang in my head over and over again.

How did it come to this again? I asked myself.

With a muddled head, I recollected everything that went down when I woke up that specific morning two days ago...

"Sleep well?" the King asked, his sharp voice cutting through the beautiful chirping of the birds outside my window.

My drowsy state vanished in an instant He was wearing a loose white shirt and partnered it with black trousers and black boots. His dark hair was messy in a sexy way. He probably just came from a bath with how fresh he looked.

God, he was handsome, I thought, but I quickly chastised myself. Don't let your mind get sidetracked!

He was sitting on the massive cushioned chair of my bedroom with his legs in a figure four position, looking obviously bored.

Instant goosebumps erupted on my arms. I didn't understand why he was here on my room and how he easily found me with all the number of rooms in the manor, but I knew his visit had a price.

A price like...my head. Maybe he had changed his mind and was now ready to execute me.

Pushing myself up from the bed and sensibly covering my body from the chest down with a bedsheet, I tossed him a frown and muttered, "I did. Why would you care?"

"Because I need you fit for today's agenda, " he snapped.

The hairs on the back of my nape stood on end. "I hope it doesn't concern me preparing for my grave."

He scoffed. "Depends on how you see it."

He looked at me as if he had a freeze gun. I was iced on the spot. This man here should join a socialization class. His conversation skills with me were just too one-sided.

"Why are you here, Your High��ness?" I asked when I realized he was holding back information. Well, either that or he was just too afraid to say it.

"I got a proposition for you. A business deal so to say." He finally let out, making sure to stress the harmless word. His aura was still that of a proud man. Never had I saw it change even for the slightest bit. On Earth, business deals were treated with importance, and both parties should show that they respect each other. I see no respect in this king's eyes, only arrogance.

"First your brother and now you?" I stated, looking at him with a raised brow.

He waved a hand in the hair and scrunched up his nose. "Forget about your deal with my brother. He doesn't know what he's doing."

"Oh really?" I questioned, not really believing his claim. "He said he knew people who can help me return to my world."

For a moment, there was slight recognition in his eyes and then he grinned.

"Hm, true, but I have a better deal."

I furrowed my brows. Well, come to think of it, he was a king, and if I was to base it on Earth traditions, kings always had a better offer on their plate.

"Once upon a time, the realms were created to attain order and peace, " he started. I had to arch my brow again, not expecting I'd get a crash course on their history.

"It is an absolute rule that only can a person cross between realms if it is a must. Like say, royal meetings, official gatherings of the courts, commercial exports, imports and life-threatening events. There is a bridge to each realm guarded by certain individuals. Elijah intends to reach out to one of the guardians to help you return, but this isn't a convincing plan."

"Where are you going with this?" I asked, wanting to skip the history lesson.

The muscle on his jaw visibly ticked.

"Hold your tongue, woman, and wait, " he grounded and then released a long, controlled sigh while sharply looking at me.

I was sure I had just tested his patience right there.

"The bridges are the main mechanism of travel between realms, but there's an exception to this, " he continued. "There are gifted, powerful individuals who have the ability to hop between realms. Luckily for you, I'm one of them."

Slowly, an idea formed in my head. Was he offering me his services?

"You want to return right? If you agree to my terms, I can get you back to your realm in just a flick of a finger. Safe and sound. Not a scratch on your skin."

My mouth gaped. I was right. He was offering his services. But, it had conditions. I wonder what they are?

"Could you give me a moment then?" I stated, realizing this talk of ours would likely cover a good amount of time. "Obviously, I just woke up. I needed to freshen myself and answer the call of nature."

"No, I'm a busy man, " he snapped. "I don't want you wasting my time, so listen to me now."

Inwardly, I sighed. This king really needed to learn to be more accommodating to women.

"I'm listening then, " I answered, submitting myself despite not liking it.

"Like I said, this is just purely business. I'm offering you a quick way to return home if you agree on marrying me and becoming my queen."

Instantly, dread washed all over me.

"What?!" My eyes rounded.

How could marrying him help me on my dilemma? As I understood, marrying him and becoming his queen meant I'd stay in this werewolf-infested world forever. Forever!

"Are the screws in your head loose?" I blurted out. "I thought you want me to leave? Marrying you and becoming your queen would do the opposite!"

"Don't worry about that. I have a plan, " he calmly stated as if it was just the weather he was talking about.

I held my temper at bay. God it was so damned difficult.

"Let me guess, you want me to die after we get married?"

"Hm, thanks for giving me an idea, " he smirked, "but no, that's not my plan. However, I'd be more inclined to do that as a backup."

I gritted my teeth. He was too insufferable!

"Know that I am offering you this because I didn't have a choice. As you may know, thanks to my brother, I am having a hard time procuring a queen."

"Because you hate women, " I burst out.

He ignored this and continued with barely contained rage, "The late King, my father, created an absolute decree for me to marry and produce a queen for my kingdom. If I couldn't fulfill this, I'd be stripped of my position as the ruler of Phanteon. Obviously, I don't want that to happen. It's a blow to my pride."

"Well, that wouldn't have been an issue if you didn't hate women from the start, " I remarked.

He scowled at me. "Quit with reminding me that!"

I shrugged my shoulders, silently laughing on the inside seeing how nasty his fate was. Ha! Serves you right. "Apologies Your High��ness. I can't help it."

He sighed and relaxed on his chair again.

"Good thing the decree was only just to marry and get a queen. It didn't state anything about producing an heir."

He looked at me with an incredibly smug face. I rolled my eyes heavenward.

Yeah, that was supposed to be my next question. If I was to accept his proposal, I had to make sure we won't be sharing a bed.

"Right, " I muttered. "That's reassuring to hear."

"Very reassuring, " he added confidently whilst giving me a cold glare.

For a moment there, it was my pride as a woman that was hit. It crazily felt like he didn't see me as a desirable woman, a good partner in bed, or even one that was kissable. It hurt.

Ugh.

I shook my wandering thoughts away. Damn it. Where did that come from?

He was using me as a tool. That��I knew for certain. But well, I was the same. We're both using each other for our own gains.

"So, " he stood up and righted his shirt into position. "I assume you're in. I expect you inside the castle dressed in a wedding attire in two days."

"Two days?!" I shouted, not knowing exactly what to feel. Should I be happy or sad? The sooner I wed him, the sooner I could return to my home, but the sooner I wed him, the sooner I'd become his uhhh...wife, and despite that may just be in paper only, I'd be expected to live with him inside the castle, act lovey-dovey in front of his subjects, and even share his chamber just to keep up appearances.

Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

But, I couldn't back down on his offer. He was my easiest way out of this realm.

"Yes, in two days, " he clarified. "I want to fulfill my father's decree on the day of my birthday. Two occasions in one. Bigger party, lesser expenses."

I scoffed. This king hates women and a penny-pincher. Or in this realm's case, a gold hoarder.

"See you in two days then, " I replied, avoiding the topic about any preparations during these two days. I knew for certain he had that all covered. He was the king of this kingdom after all and he'd likely prepare a grand wedding to show to his subjects he wasn't afraid of a woman.

Ha! What a grand ruse it would be indeed.

Anyway, if these two days meant I'd be staying in this manor alone and in peace, then I'd take it wholeheartedly. As the saying goes, 'Calm before the storm.'

So I would take this 'calm' before the shit storm happens.

< Aero >

I knew she would accept my offer. It was too good an opportunity to pass. I was so pleased with how well everything was going that a small smile broke from the corner of my lips when I left her chamber.

Oddly enough, my beast side was howling with delight. I didn't understand why it was behaving that way but I assumed it was happy to be in control with my throne once again.

The council will have a hell of a time when they find out I'll marry in two days. They'll bombard me surely with talks of pups and heirs. I'll indulge them for now, until the day I'll kick that woman out of my castle door.

I didn't have the intention to spend the next two days with her. It was unnecessary even if she would become my wife and queen. I stayed inside the castle and did what I usually do as king.

Elijah was helping me on the preparations, or to speak frankly, he did all the preparations. I care not a damn thing about the wedding ceremony; the flowers, the ceremony, the guests, or the wardrobe. I just wanted it finished stat and re-institute myself as the absolute ruler of Phanteon and not my late father's decrees.

Although strictly telling him not to, Elijah was ecstatic enough to update me in the woman's activities for the past two days. From the little attention I allotted him, he informed me that she was housed in the east wing of the castle.

Good. It was an enough distance away from my chamber, but had I been there during the transfer, I would have placed her in the south wing, farthest away from me as possible.

To continue, Elijah assigned her the most prominent professor in the kingdom to teach our ways and the history of our realm. He also brought the most skillful seamstress for the woman to be fitted for her wedding gown and daily wardrobe.

Of course, I cringed at the last two ideas. That woman didn't need to know about our history or our traditions. She didn't even need a wardrobe as I would be sending her back to her realm immediately after the wedding. A day after if possible.

But Elijah, with a grin too suspicious for my liking, didn't bother on listening to my complaints. He continued on and reported me more of her activities that consisted of a visit in the kingdom's most sought-after hot springs in the north, a quick stroll in the bustling markets of Valencia, and posing as a special guest in the annual Ma'tisste, a welcome celebration of the first full moon of the year. It had songs and dances, and lots of drinks and food that would all culminate to a shifting of those present and a unified howling. I had Elijah attend that one on my behalf. I didn't realize he'd use it to subtly introduce her to the public's eye.

Damn it.

Elijah said she was a natural with her socialization skills. She was easy with speaking to the high ranking officials of my court in the celebration and was even seen helping out with servant duties in the kitchen. Thoughtfully, he didn't let her witness the shifting and the howling, but had I been there in the celebration, I would have let her watch it, see if she had a strong backbone on watching my subjects shift into their werewolf forms.

That would have been interesting to see.

All these talk about her made me want to gut something out. I hated how she was slowly stamping her mark on my land. Again, if I had been in those events, I could have minimized her presence as much as possible, but my brother reported these activities to me too late. I had a strong sense he did this deliberately.

When morning of the wedding came, I woke up to find the atmosphere of the whole castle rather sickeningly jovial. Servants be it female or male were scurrying all over the place when I walked along the hallways to my throne. The female servants didn't even prostrate when they saw me pass unlike before. They just lowered their heads and gave me an unobstructed path to my destination. I sensed their fear of me still present, but it was lesser than before and I think it had to do with the news of me getting married.

Huh. What nonsense.

Different species of white flowers were everywhere but it was most especially numerous inside my throne room. I cringed at the sight of it. Elijah really had overdone himself.

I walked to look at the castle courtyard from the throne balcony and saw flaglets of the kingdom's crest hanging on a taut line tied from one corner of the castle roof to another. Never had I seen it done this way before. It was a refreshing look, but still I would want to have these flaglets pulled once the wedding ends.

Using my lycan hypersight, I saw the amphitheater a few miles away from the castle adorned too. From what I remembered, weddings were usually held in that open space. I believe my father and my whore of a mother were once wedded there, and now, I would be standing for that same reason tonight with that woman.

A fucking woman.

Consciously, a crack on the balustrade appeared as my hand gripped it tightly so. It was an insufficient displacement of my anger bubbling up in my chest. I wanted it out so I did the next best thing I could do. I shifted to my lycan form and bolted out of my throne room, out of the castle walls, out of hearing range, ran into the highest snowy mountain of Phanteon and there, I trashed and howled as much as I could.

When I returned to my castle, the sun had already set. Elijah met me in my chamber with an arched brow, but he didn't ask me where I had been. I knew he had an idea.

"Brother, fix yourself up, " he said with a grave tone. "Your bride is waiting for you already."

"Give me ten minutes, " I snapped and walked into my inner bathroom to wash.

When I emerged from it eight minutes later, I was all spruced up. No matter how I disliked wearing the official royal uniform for my wedding, I didn't have a choice. If I were to create the biggest fake wedding my kingdom has ever seen, I would have to play the part and play it perfectly.

The amphitheater was packed when I arrived via a coach. The realms after they were created had chosen their own means of travel and my father chose the simple, nature-friendly one: a vehicle moved by horses. Werewolves and lycans could travel fast far better than horses, but in such occasions that needed flair and flamboyance, we had to use other means of travel.

I bet that woman was transported from the castle to the amphitheater using the same coach and I had a strong feeling we would be using the same transport later. The thought of her inside this confined space was enough to sour my mood, but once again, I had to remind myself it was an act needed to convince my people of the union.

The crowd exploded with cheers when I disembarked the coach. I waved at them and gave my best practiced smile. They were all here to see a miracle: to see me wed, to see me tied to the opposite sex I had expressed my hate constantly. They must have thought me a fool for finally relenting to a charm of a woman, but weird enough, as I scanned their faces for any signs of a snicker, I couldn't find one. All I saw were genuine and warm smiles.

I had only been to a few werewolf weddings in my younger years before I vowed hatred on the female population. In those times, I saw how the high priest officiated it.

Remembering how it would start, I walked to the farthest corner of the stage. The groom were supposed to stay on the right while the bride stayed on the left. They were to meet halfway on the center of the stage, right on a spot illuminated solely by the full moon's light.

Once I arrived there, I settled my eyes across the stage and saw my soon-to-be wife standing regally wearing her pure white dress and a lace headdress that covered most of her features. Her hands were clasped together on her abdomen and she stood tall with her shoulder straight.

For a moment, a sense of longing hit me, but I dismissed it in a blink of an eye.

Everyone waited as the light of the full moon touched down the center of the stage. Once this happened some minutes later, the sounds of trumpets filled the air, followed by the appearance of the high priest wearing his robe of emerald green and a stiff, pointed ceremonial headdress adorned with the insignia of the kingdom.

He glanced at me, lowered his head in deference to me, and then shifted his attention to the bride, bowing too to pay his respects. I saw her reciprocate the gesture before the high priest signaled for us to approach the center.

From the corner next to the bride, an aging woman motioned for her to step forward. When she did, I did too until both of us met under the full moon's light.

I couldn't catch her expression clearly, but from the little glimpses of her eyes past the lace covering, she seemed determined to get this wedding over with.

Huh, the feeling is mutual, woman.

The high priest then made some gestures with his hand and started a rather lengthy verse about the union between an alpha and a luna, the union between a man and a woman, and the union between two people in love.

I almost cracked up on the last one. Let them think I married for that traitorous word.

He also went on telling the general public about the blessings of the Goddess, and how this union would be fruitful and harmonious.

I highly doubt it.

There was only one thing in my mind and it was the fulfillment of my father's wish. If he wanted me wed and gain a queen, then he'd get it, but after the wedding and all these nonsensical activities related to the celebration, it would be on my terms. My decree. My word. My desires. No one will contest it.

The woman and I stood face to face all the while the high priest continued blabbering, but when it was time for the ritual, he motioned for us to hold hands.