CHAPTER 4: WHAT SAY YOU?

Releasing Jamey's hand, the Alpha King took Raya by the hand and drew her close to himself, looking right into her eyes. The two locked gazes for a while.

Raya's heart fluttered. The person she loved in secret for the past ten years - Jamey, didn't make her feel this way.

Her hazel eyes suddenly turned blue. She felt her wolf, which had long been silenced, awakening for the first time after the night of her first shift.

"Your Majesty. You can't be serious, right? Raya is just a lowly omega, unworthy of such bestowment," Victoria said, but was nervous.

King Barakar glared at her, his golden eyes evident with fury. The atmosphere got really tense for Victoria.

"You dare lecture me on what I can and cannot do?!" King Barakar's voice thundered, as he growled. Victoria quivered and fell to her knees in fright.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my wife for talking out of turn. She is unschooled in the mannerisms required when addressing a man of your caliber. Please, forgive her," Jamey pleaded.

"No more shall she be regarded any less than I esteem her. Anyone who does so will have their head on a pike," King Barakar declared and they all bowed in acknowledgment.

Raya couldn't wrap her head around what was happening. It was the total opposite of her fears.

"Well then. You were about to treat us to some delicacies, weren't you, young Alpha?"

"Y- Yes, Your Majesty," Jamey stuttered, forcing a smile. "This way."

He led King Barakar, Raya, and the King's retinue into the palace. The elders, Priestess, and all the lords of Ravenhill went in.

Sulking as she got up, Victoria followed behind them. She found what was happening unbelievable and beyond her comprehension. It was beyond everyone's comprehension, even the Alpha King's retinue.

Word quickly spread like wildfire about what happened, and the city was abuzz. Both the werewolves and humans who witnessed it bore the tale, to the amazement of some, and disbelief of others, raising speculations.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Raya found herself in the great hall - the same place she had been rejected and utterly embarrassed the previous night, dining with the same people who had shattered her heart. But this time, she was untouchable.

Her father, who had not been present with the rest that received the Alpha King, later joined them as they had just begun eating. He was stunned to find his so-called good-for-nothing daughter seated beside the Alpha King himself.

Sighting him, Raya looked away fuming. She hadn't had a taste of anything since they began eating. In fact, everyone at the table, aside from the King, barely tasted what they were served.

King Barakar noticed the exchange between the two and could tell who he was. Raya's father then walked toward the King, but was stopped a few meters away from the King by his soldiers.

"Your Majesty," he bowed.

King Barakar ignored him. Embarrassed, he walked away and sat at the table, being a beta and the Advisor of the former Alpha of the Greyhound pack.

"I thought I was coming to meet an atmosphere of celebration. Why do I see the contrary?" King Barakar asked.

Jamey, Victoria, and the council of elders of Ravenhill couldn't answer, afraid of saying something that would upset the King. Their eyes were darting around.

"Um, Your Majesty, if it pleases you, I'd like to take you on a tour of the mill. I believe you haven't seen it after it was refurbished six years ago," Jamey humbly requested. King Barakar nodded in acknowledgment. He wiped his mouth, got up, and turned to Raya, offering her hand.

Raya cracked a nervous smile, took the King's hand, and stood up. Just as their hands made contact, she felt a surge of electricity in her body, and a deep connection to the King that words couldn't describe.

It was the mate bond. That was the confirmation that her wolf had awakened.

Victoria sulked, infuriated seeing how they looked at each other.

"Please, this way," Jamey requested. Then the King and Raya followed him. She walked beside the King. She felt safe and protected in his presence - what she never experienced when she was around Jamey.

Jamey talked to the King as they walked, explaining a couple of things, while the King simply nodded. Jamey did well covering how he actually felt about Raya being there with them. But not Victoria.

Following behind them, all Victoria could do was glare hatefully at Raya, but was totally unable to do anything against her.

The path they took was cleared as soldiers were positioned at various intervals. Citizens of Ravenhill scrambled and struggled to get a peek at the King to confirm what they heard. And true to it, they say Raya with the King.

Seeing that she dressed differently like a member of the Silver Moon Pack would, they drew conclusions.

Raya looked around and saw how some of them whispered among themselves, throwing glances at her.

Arriving at the mill, King Barakar was impressed at what he saw.

"Your father was quite a visionary. I truly respected him," he said.

"That respect should have been extended even after his death, Your Majesty," Jamey said, looking forward. King Barakar acted as though nothing was said. So Jamey pressed on.

"He was your distant cousin, and yet His Majesty didn't see it fit to honor him one last time," Jamey dared to say. Still, the King was expressionless.

"He was killed just after he visited the Iron Den, and had a discussion with you - a discussion no one else knows what it was about, but just the two of you. Yet, you were absent, Your Majesty."

"Despite that, we have not stopped fulfilling our obligations to the Iron Den, Your Majesty."

King Barakar turned and looked at Jamey at this point, but was stoic. He was always a hard man to read.

"What exactly are you getting at, young Alpha?"

"I'm just curious as to why," Jamey shrugged. The Alpha King's eyes peered at Jamey, as he stood towering over Jamey.

"Whatever transpired before your father's unfortunate demise shall remain as it is. And Ravenhill shall keep on fulfilling its obligations, not missing a month of supply to the Iron Den!"

Jamey gulped, seeing how serious the King had gotten.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Jamey bowed.

"It has been a pleasure visiting Ravenhill," King Barakar declared. "And congratulations once again, young Alpha. Have your men come take my gift to you."

"I am greatly honored, Your Majesty," Jamey bowed. King Barakar turned and took Raya's hand, leading her away.

"But, Your Majesty," Jamey stepped in front of him. "You're not serious about what you said earlier, right?"

"And what would that be?" the King asked.

"H- Her," Jamey said, gulping. All the leaders of Ravenhill were tense as well.

"Raya shall be with me at the Iron Den. She is my mate," he replied, to the surprise of everyone once again.

"Except she chooses otherwise," he added, then looked at her. "What say you, Raya? Do you accept me as your mate?"

All eyes were on her at this point. She got a bit scared as everyone looked expectantly at her.

"Yes. I accept you as my mate," she said. Victoria boiled with rage, and the others sulked. Except the Priestess, who sighed in relief.

CHAPTER 5: NOWHERE ELSE.

"What in the name of the old gods has got this town so worked up?" An elderly man asked frustratedly as he walked past a merchant, supporting himself with his cane.

"Haven't you heard?" a female trader asked.

"Heard what?" he asked, halting.

"The Alpha King, Barakar, arrived in Ravenhill unannounced."

"I'm aware. The excessive number of soldiers patrolling the streets gave that off. Is anything spectacular about that?" the elderly man said in an unbothered manner.

"He claimed for himself a mate."

"He did, eh? That still doesn't make it any more spectacular," the man said.

"You're one pessimistic old bigot, aren't you?" The merchant shook her head, pursing her lips.

"If you've lived as long as I have, a few things tend to move you," he responded, and continued walking slowly.

"He claimed someone from Ravenhill."

Hearing that, the old man halted once again and turned, furrowing his brow. "And who exactly is that?"

"The rejected mate of the Alpha - Raya," she replied. The old man furrowed his brow slightly, going deep into his thoughts.

"See? I knew you'd be surprised just as we all are," the merchant said, smiling.

"So he has finally found his fated mate, huh?" he asked rhetorically, snickering. "I just hope she knows what happened to the last one he claimed."

"What happened?" the merchant inquired, but the old man said nothing, walking away.

"Pesky old man!" she scoffed, annoyed at the old man.

The old man pondered as he walked away. 'What actually brought the Alpha King all the way here? He never visits a place without prior notice.'

He sensed there was more to all that was happening.

All of Ravenhill were thrown aback by the recent development. By the time the King left Ravenhill, that was what dominated the conversations of the people.

Talk about making an impression!

_______________

At the palace, Jamey and the leaders of Ravenhill watched as the King and his retinue mounted their horses. Raya, of course, was with them.

Her father could barely look at her now, feeling ashamed of himself. The daughter he loathed and despised was claimed by the most powerful person in all the five kingdoms - the Alpha King himself. That was a shock!

"Farewell, Your Majesty. We hope to host you again sometime in the future," Jamey bade.

"Farewell, young Alpha," King Barakar bade, then they rode off, with some soldiers of Ravenhill escorting the King.

Raya looked one last time at her father and all that did her wrong before they rode off.

'Goodbye,' she said to herself as they left, galloping on their horses. It was indeed goodbye this time. Nonetheless, she wondered what kind of life awaited her.

As the King left, Jamey turned and looked at the leaders of Ravenhill. They didn't know what to say to him. He looked stupefied.

"I shall take my leave now," Fiona bowed and left the palace, smiling as she left.

"I'd like to have a word, Priestess," Jamey said, causing her to stop. Jamey headed into the palace and Fiona followed him.

The elders couldn't say what was in their hearts in Jamey's presence. So they kept mute.

Jamey and the Priestess got to a corner where no one was, and Jamey paced up and down before he stopped.

"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" he asked.

"The goddess reveals what she wills. You defied her will, remember?"

Jamey sulked as he looked at her, but she looked at him unafraid. Unknown to them, Victoria was by the corner, eavesdropping on them.

"Besides, you despise her. And you chose for yourself a mate in her stead. So why does it bother you that the King claimed her for himself - the same 'trash' you discarded?" Fiona asked.

"Don't patronize me, Fiona. I am the Alpha," Jamey snarled, looking at her hatefully.

"I apologize, Lord Jamey," Fiona bowed. "I'll be taking my leave now."

She then began walking away. Victoria quickly tiptoed to avoid being seen. But Fiona was aware she was eavesdropping the whole time.

"So it begins," Fiona said as she cracked a mild smile.

Victoria got to her chamber and angrily slammed the door shut behind her. She paced to and fro, clenching her fists, gritting her teeth. Overcome with anger, she overturned the table close to her. It shattered as it slammed on the wall.

"I was on my knees for that tramp's sake. I'm sure she took pleasure seeing me like that," she began to soliloquize.

"But why? Why her of all people?!" she yelled, puffing. "Why didn't he choose someone else? What's so special about that trash?"

Victoria leaned against the wall as he claws scratched the wall behind her.

"Maybe it is just a ploy to get back at us. Yes, it must be," she said, smiling hysterically. "It won't last. It was just to get back at us. Yes."

________________

The King and his retinue arrived at their camp. The soldiers bowed as they arrived and alighted from their horses.

"Take care of the gift for the young Alpha," the King instructed Ravna. He bowed and walked away to do as told.

He began walking to his tent and halted at some point, turning back.

"Aren't you coming?" he asked Raya as he realized she stayed put.

"Y- Yes, Your Majesty," she nodded, and hurried off, following him into the tent.

King Barakar took off his furry coat and his shirt, standing shirtless. Raya gulped and looked away. He went ahead to pour himself a drink, gulping a bit of it, then he walked toward her. His gaze was fixed on her, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.

He saw how innocent and pure her heart was.

Ravna walked into the tent and met the two of them in that state.

"They've been sent off, Your Majesty," Ravna declared.

"Good," he replied. "Get everyone ready. We leave at once."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ravna bowed. "But our scouts sighted a possible encampment of rogues about two hundred miles from here."

"Ravenhill has what it takes to keep its city safe as they've been doing all this time," the King responded.

"Okay. I'll go get Roweena then," Ravna said and walked out.

"Um, Your Majesty? May I speak?" Raya requested.

"Go on."

"I uh- I am truly grateful, Your Majesty, for saving me last night. I am eternally grateful, and indebted to you," she began.

"But I am a nobody. I'm not worthy of your affection. I think this is all a mistake. Letting me stay at Winterhill and start my life afresh is all I ask for, and nothing more, Your Majesty."

King Barakar placed his cup down and walked closer to Raya, standing right in front of her. He looked her deep in the eyes. He took her right hand and placed it on his firm chest.

"You feel it too, don't you?" he asked softly, looking compassionately at her. And yes, she did feel the mate bond.

"There's nowhere else you're to be but by my side henceforth, Raya. You're mine!"

Raya's wolf leaped for joy, making her smile as tears ran down her left eye.

CHAPTER 6: WELCOME TO WINTERHILL.

The King's host was up and about as they got ready to leave. Having had everything set, they journeyed from where they were camped to a location miles away.

Raya rose in the carriage along with the King. Sitting quietly, it all seemed unreal to her. She tried her best to quiet down her thoughts, but she couldn't help it.

'Just last night I was rejected, and now, I have been claimed by the most powerful person in the kingdoms.'

A mild smile crept up her face. Looking at the King, she saw he looked out the window. He was seductively calm. Her heart fluttered. As he turned, she quickly looked away. The King had no expression on his face as he looked at her.

"Halt!" a soldier shouted, and the host stopped. Footsteps approached the carriage and the door swung open.

"Your Majesty. We're here," Ravna said.

'What does he mean? Have we arrived at Winterhill?' Raya asked herself as she looked out the window. They obviously weren't anywhere near Winterhill, so she wondered why they stopped in the middle of nowhere.

The King alighted from the carriage and walked forward. Pulling out a green crystal stone from his pocket, he slammed it to the ground, shattering it. Raya, who peeped out of the carriage, looked in perplexity at what was going on.

Suddenly, she saw a portal appear in front of them. Behind the portal was a snowy mountainous region.

The King then returned to the carriage, then the host continued their commute, passing through the portal. As they emerged on the other side, Raya was gripped by a depth of cold she had never felt before.

With wide eyes, she looked in amazement.

"Welcome to Winterhill," King Barakar said to her. She smiled as she looked out the window.

The ice-walled city was a fortress, high up the hill. Raya was astonished at its beauty. The folks she saw outside the city gate were dressed like they were. They bowed as they saw the King's retinue heading to the city.

As they arrived at the gates, a horn blew, heralding the King's arrival. The large streets were cleared and a procession of soldiers took their position as the King headed up.

Not yet having an aerial view of the city, she could tell the city had a well-planned outlay. Shortly after, they arrived at a fortress, where there was a bronze image of the first founding lycan, Kiran.

Raya gasped in amazement.

'So this is the Iron Den,' she said.

The carriage stopped right in front of the palace, and then the King alighted. Offering Raya a hand, he helped her down.

Members of the King's court who stood in front of the palace bowed as we walked toward them.

"Your Majesty," a scarlet-haired woman greeted.

"Talia," he replied. "Quick response on your end with opening the portal as usual."

"I'm always at your service, Your Majesty," she replied, smiling.

"It's good to have you back home, Your Majesty," a chubby and mature man said to the King.

"Thank you, Enock," he replied.

"And if I may, Your Majesty. Who is this?" Enock inquired. He voiced the burning question in everyone's heart as they saw Raya.

Raya could barely look up at this point. They didn't look hatefully at her, but the members of the King's court sure did look terrifying.

"She is my mate," King Barakar responded casually. They were stunned hearing what the King said. But Talia furrowed her brow, smiling as she looked examiningly at Raya.

"Have Raya settled in at the Luna's quarters," King Barakar instructed Ravna.

"Right away, Your Majesty," he nodded. Then the King began walking away. The people quickly bowed as he left. Lifting their heads, they looked at one another, totally perplexed.

"This way, my Lady," Ravna said to Raya, with a gesture of his hand pointing into the Iron Den. She nodded and quickly followed him in.

"What just happened?" a member of the King's court, Jabin, asked.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it," another, Corin responded.

"Well, the den needs to be filled with pups, doesn't it?" Talia said, smiling as she walked away. The others left, leaving just Enock who stood there, fuming. He turned and walked in, heading to the Alpha's quarters.

Two of the King's guards stopped him as they crossed their spears.

"Out of the way!" Enock snarled.

"We can't let you in, my lord," one of them said.

"Get out of my way right now, or I swear by the old gods, you'll regret it," he threatened, but the guards were unfazed. They had their orders. Unless the King invited you to his quarters, no one was allowed in.

"Are you both deaf? I said get o-"

"Stop yelling, Enock!"

King Barakar's voice thundered, making Enock startle.

The King walked slowly, his boots sounding throughout the hallway with his heavy steps. He was already shirtless.

"Let him through," King Barakar instructed his guards. They immediately gave way, and Enock passed, following the King into his study.

"Your Majesty, don't you think that this is a bit too spontaneous? You barely even know her."

The King said nothing for a while as he leaned against the table, folding his arms across his chest.

"The only reason I'll entertain this question is because you were her father. It has been too long to keep holding on to the past. There is a whole life ahead of us. We should embrace it."

Enock sighed tiredly.

"Pardon me if I seemed unreasonable, Your Majesty. We all have your best interests at heart. I'll take my leave now."

Bowing, he walked out of the King's study. King Barakar sighed, going deep into his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Raya was brought to the Luna's quarters. She met a train of servants standing there. They bowed when she arrived with Ravna.

"These are your personal maids, my Lady. They shall serve your every need," Ravna said. She smiled mildly as she nodded.

As she walked in, she was stunned at how beautiful the place was. It was a hundred times better than where she grew up.

"Please, go ahead and freshen up. You should be having lunch with His Majesty," Ravna said.

"Thank you very much, my lord," Raya bowed slightly.

"Please, Ravna is just fine," he said with a smile, then he walked out of the Luna's quarters.

Raya sighed as she looked around. Three girls stood, awaiting her instructions. This was going to be the norm, and she needed to start getting used to it.