< 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.

< Aero >

My jaw tensed at the temper simmering inside me. I had no desire to hold a woman's hand, but I didn't have a choice. I had to keep up appearances.

The bride, however, lifted her hands up without a second thought and waited for me to hold it.

When the high priest cleared his throat, that was when I realized I hadn't actually moved yet.

With a deep breath to settle my developing temper, I accepted her hands, enveloping them with my large palm.

"Your Majesty, you may now say your vows, " the old man stated. I gave him an arched brow. What did he say again?

"Start with your bride's name, Your Majesty, and say your vows loudly for all to hear, " he reminded.

I had to take another deep breath to control the growing turmoil inside me. Fuck! Why must there be vows in a wedding? I should abolish this when I get my hands on paperworks again.

"Se...rena, " I started, my voice toneless. A large part of me was hesitant to speak her name. I was lucky to have remembered her name even. "I offer you a life filled with contentment, of peace and happiness. I offer you protection and safety, and a life filled with bounty and wealth."

In the back of my head, there was a double meaning on my words. Once she returns to her world, she'd be exactly getting these things.

I wanted to stop right there, but then the high priest cleared his throat again and murmured, "Your vow of love, Your Majesty. Let your people hear it. Give them inspiration."

My nostrils subtly flared. The audacity of this old man was beyond measure, but again, I had to keep up appearances.

I stared sharply at my bride through the holes of the lace covering so that she'd sense my displeasure. Surely, she was intelligent enough to know that the incoming words I would spew from my mouth didn't mean a single thing.

Holding her hands tightly, I started again with my voice even louder this time, "You are the woman who captured my heart and chased out the darkness within and for this, I vow to love and cherish you for the rest of my life. I vow to keep you by my side forever. My heart is yours for all eternity."

A deafening applause suddenly erupted and the cheers of the crowd burst through the air. They were crying out their happiness and as I looked around, there were numerous spectators who actually cried and hugged each other.

I was beyond stunned by their reaction to my vow. Where they really that moved with my words?

It looked like they were.

But a selfish part of me simply snickered. Their overwhelming reaction meant I nailed my acting perfectly. Now, it was my dear bride's turn to sell her ruse.

The crowd fell silent as they waited for her to speak.

"Your Majesty, King Aero of the Kingdom of Phanteon, " she started in the most fluid, sweetest voice I heard from a woman. "I have none to give you aside from what I have now: my body, my heart, and my love. Take care of me as I promise to take care of you. I will be your conscience, your guide. I will keep your heart safe and sound, and nurture it with my calming embrace. I will protect you as you would to me. I will be the queen your kingdom needs...badly, " she added with a hint of sarcasm, "and I will be the mother to your children...er pups...and promise to take care of them with love and devotion."

Again, the booming sound of cheers and claps filled the amphitheater. It went on for over a minute until the high priest lifted his hand up to silence them.

He placed his palm underneath our interlocked hands and guided it up to level his forehead and then started chanting. A couple of minutes later, a white light shown from our hands. In the form of a chain, it slithered out of our palms and went over and around our wrists to bind us together. Then, a mark appeared specifically on our right inner wrists. It looked like a crescent moon.

I gaped at the sight of it. Never had I seen this happening in a wedding before. Judging from the surprised look of the high priest and the audience, they thought the same too.

Silence reigned the atmosphere once the white light disappeared.

The woman looked at me with wide eyes, a question forming in her mind. I could easily decipher it as, 'What was that?!'

Then, she looked at her right wrist, a frown forming on her face again.

"Hail to the Goddess!" the high priest ecstatically boomed. "What you witnessed seconds ago was proof that our Goddess had blessed this union! We had never witnessed such before. This calls for a greater celebration!"

For the fucking nth time, the crowd cheered again, but this time it was noisier and headache-inducing.

I battled to keep my composure intact. This wasn't supposed to happen! Whatever this mark meant on my wrist, I had a feeling it would give me problems soon.

Out from the corner of my eye, I noticed a young boy approach us holding a tray of ritual equipment: a ceremonial chalice filled with clear water and a small platinum bowl filled with red power.

The high priest took out the chalice and handed it to me.

"We must move on with the wedding ritual, " he said with mirth. "Drink thy chalice and be whole with your bride."

Through clenched teeth, I accepted the chalice and drank half of its contents.

Afterwards, I handed it to my bride and she took it with her hands visibly shaking.

Fuck. Now she's unstable!

After all I had been through...after painstakingly keeping my temper intact, I can't have her ruining this ceremony just for suddenly being frightened!

So, when I handed her the chalice, I also grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. "Be still. Everything is okay, " I whispered low, faking my smile.

She took this as a promise judging from the sudden lift of her chin.

"Drink thy chalice and be whole with your husband, " the high priest said.

She drank the contents and thereafter handed it back to the old man.

When this was done, he took out the platinum bowl, dipped his thumb inside it and signaled both of us to lean closer.

We both did, rather hesitantly might I add, and then the high priest drew a single line across our foreheads with the red powder.

"The ceremony has ended. The wedding is fulfilled!" he shouted. "Let all the realms know that this union is binding and unbreakable!"

I listened to the old man's words and for the first time ever, a sense of dread filled me like a great flood.

Shit.

What have I got myself into?

"Hail to our Alpha and Luna! Hail King Aero and Queen Serena!" my brother shouted somewhere close to the stage. I cast a look at my royal council and the rest of the audience when they all chorused our names. They looked lively and cheerful. Not a hint of concern or suspicion on their faces. They genuinely looked pleased with my union with this woman, but I'm sure when they find out she's a human they would flip out and declare the union null and void.

I had gone through too much embarrassment. As if I'd let that happen.

Elijah met my stare. He nodded slightly, silently telling me it was time. I knew what I had to do, yes. All couples wedded in the kingdom do it as a tradition. I was their king so I was expected to do the same.

Mentally, I had already prepared for it for two days. I thought I prepared myself enough, but in front of this woman, in front of my new wife and queen, I was not sure anymore.

"Kiss!" Somebody from the crowd reminded me. Fuck. And then everybody followed shouting that one damning word.

"Kiss! Kiss!"

I grinned at them and waved a hand to recognize their request. Fuck. But deep inside though, I wanted to rip their throats out.

"Is a kiss really necessary?" she asked worriedly to me whilst giving out a fake smile to the audience.

I wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her closer to me. "It's tradition here, to show that the wedded couple are indeed happy with the union."

"I'm not happy with this union, " she blurted out, again fake smiling the crowd and waving at them like a queen naturally would.

I groaned in frustration. "So am I, but we have to give them a show."

"Shit, " was the last word I heard from her when I stooped down, lifted her veil up and captured her mouth.

The crowd burst out with cheers once more. It was getting really tiring to hear it.

As initially planned, I only wanted our mouths pressed, create an illusion that we were passionately kissing, but to my surprise, her lips slightly parted. I whiffed I really good scent from her. A scent I hadn't picked up in a woman or any other creature for that matter. It was filling up my mind with euphoria. My nose liked it. My lungs adored it. Then, unconsciously, I parted my lips too. At the touch of our moistened mouths and the mixture of our warm breaths, an unknown kind of need filled me.

My wolf howled inside and before I knew it, I was kissing my fake wife like a mad beast that had escaped from its prison.

Fuck.

Double fuck.

Triple fuck.