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.

CHAPTER 7: NEW LIFE.

Sitting in front of a dressing mirror, Raya looks at her image. Dressed differently from how she used to be in Ravenhill, she looked different. She felt different.

Hearing a knock on the door, she got up and answered it. As the door swung open, a more mature woman than the maids who attended to her bowed.

"My Lady. It is such an honor to meet you. My name is Kieran, Arm of the Luna," she said introducing herself. Raya furrowed her brow a bit as she looked at him.

"In simple terms, I am your Chamberlain, my Lady. I oversee the affairs of the Luna," Kieran explained, seeing that Raya did not understand the last part of her previous statement.

"Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you," Raya bowed slightly.

"Please don't ever do that again, my Lady. I'd like to keep my head intact," Kieran chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry for not being around to receive you. I wasn't expecting anyone."

Raya smiled mildly, saying nothing. Of course, she herself wasn't expecting to be in such a position.

"I owe Lord Ravna an apology for making him fulfill my designated duty. I'm sure I'll be getting some scolding," Kieran further said, sighing.

"I'm rambling, aren't I, my Lady? I'll shut up now," Kieran said, feeling ashamed.

"It's okay," Raya smiled. At least there was someone in the Iron Den that seemed pretty normal.

"Oh! I almost forgot. His Majesty awaits you at the dining hall for lunch. If you'd please follow me," Kieran requested.

"Sure," Raya responded. Being followed by the maids, she was led through various huge hallways with very tall ceilings. It felt like a maze to her.

Raya observed that the Iron Den wasn't as brightly lit as the palace in Ravenhill. But it had its unique dark theme that made it feel ominous. It was a testament to the dreadfulness of the Ironclaw Pack.

They finally arrived at the dining hall. It was as large as the great hall in Ravenhill's palace. The Alpha King was seated while the table was being set.

Kieran and the maids halted not far from the entrance, bowing their heads as Raya continued forward. She walked to the other end of the twenty-foot-long table and sat down. Well, that didn't sit quite right with her.

"Kieran?" King Barakar called.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered, and walked over to where Raya sat. She knew why the King called her.

"My Lady. I'm sorry, but could you please move a little bit closer to His Majesty?"

"Of course," Raya nodded, getting up hastily, and was led to sit on the right-hand side of the King. She was too shy to look at him.

Before the kitchen staff left, they helped to cut the boar that was grilled whole, serving it on plates for the King and Raya. The flickering candles in the dimly lit dining hall set on golden menorahs made the atmosphere around the table romantic.

"Sorry for the awkward situation you were subjected to. The table is usually set with the seats far apart as I've always eaten alone."

"No. It's all right, Your Majesty. I understand. It was just a minor mistake," Raya replied, smiling mildly.

"Let's eat," he said, then picked up the cutlery and began eating. Raya followed suit. For a while, they were both quiet, eating the delicious meal that was prepared.

Although Raya ate with composure and grace. She ate quite a lot. The King took note of it.

"Are you settling in nicely?" he asked.

"Huh? Could you please come again, Your Majesty?" Raya requested, forcing down the food stuffed in her mouth.

"Do you find it convenient so far?" he rephrased.

"Yes. Yes, everything's okay, Your Majesty. Thank you."

"That means you're okay with the cold, huh?" he asked.

"Well..." Raya's voice trailed off, chuckling. "That will take a little bit of getting used to. Ravenhill isn't this cold during winter."

"I see," he nodded, sipping some wine. "Winterhill has always had this non-stop winter. It has been so from the time my father was a boy, and his father, and his grandfather, going way back to time immemorial. Nobody knows why it has been so."

"Hmm," Raya muttered, astounded by what she just learned.

"I uh- I don't think I have properly thanked you, Your Majesty, for everything. You saved me from the rogues, and you've- Because of you, my wolf finally roared awake. So, for all that, I truly am grateful, Your Majesty," Raya mustered the courage to say.

"It was bound to happen," King Barakar responded, and continued eating.

'Right! Fate,' she said to herself, somewhat disappointed, and continued eating as well.

Not finishing what he had on his plate, King Barakar set down his cutlery and wiped his mouth, then he got up.

"Enjoy the rest of your meal. I need to attend to some things."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Raya got up and bowed. The King was about to say something to Raya, but refrained from doing so, then he walked out of the dining hall.

Raya sat back down and enjoyed the meal all by herself. The moment she was done, the kitchen staff trooped out from wherever they were that Raya couldn't see, and they cleared the table.

Kieran and the maids approached Raya as she left the table and bowed to her.

"Back to your quarters, I presume, my Lady?" Kieran asked. She nodded in affirmation and was led there.

"Permit me to say this, my Lady, but it is honestly strange to find the Alpha King this chatty. He never talks casually to anyone else aside from Ravna," Kieran said.

"I guess things really have changed around here," she said, concluding, wearing a satisfied look.

Raya said nothing all the while they headed back to Luna's quarters. When she arrived in her chambers, she realized that the room was filled with all sorts of ornaments.

The dressing table had a variety of perfumes that she had never used before. She also found boxes of jewelry on the dressing table. They were made of pure gold, of the finest quality she had ever seen.

She smiled as she looked at them. It finally sank into her head that this was going to be her new reality - her new life.

CHAPTER 8: KINGDOM AFFAIRS.

The Alpha King headed to the Hall of Lords after he left Raya at the dining hall. Two of the King's guards accompanied him. He had a stoic look as usual as he walked, his furry jacket swaying from side to side with every step.

No one walked the hallway whenever he was on the move.

Arriving at the entrance, he met Ravna at the door, who had been waiting for him. Sighting the King, Ravna met him before he got to the door and bowed.

"Your Majesty. As requested, they are all here," he said to the King. Nodding slightly in acknowledgment, they walked in as the twin doors were swung open by the guards standing at both sides of the door.

Seeing the King, the Lords of Winterhill got up and bowed as he got close to the round table. King Barakar took his seat at the head of the table, and then they all sat down as well. Ravna sat beside the King.

In front of each Lord was a cup of wine. There was a human servant tasked with keeping their cups full while they were there.

Sighing, King Barakar looked around at the council of Lords, which was made up of five folks, apart from the King himself. He went ahead to begin his address.

"I called this council to address certain developments, of which I know you've all been curious about, as it is written all over your faces."

Of course, the Lords couldn't wait to hear what the King had to say.

"Raya is my mate. And I've claimed her. The Ironclaw Pack now has a Luna, and the five kingdoms will soon have a Queen," he declared.

Talia beamed with a smile. "This is a most welcome development, Your Majesty. May your reign and her's be prosperous."

King Barakar nodded in acknowledgment.

"Um, but, Your Majesty. Could you please tell us about who she is? Her background plays a big role in the people's willingness to accept her."

The other lords nodded at what lord Finch said.

"I guess I owe you all that much," the King shrugged. "Raya hails from Ravenhill and is the daughter of a beta. But I'm sure you already know that, don't you, Lord Finch?"

"You're right, Your Majesty. I do. That question was for the benefit of the rest that may not be privy to know the things that I know, based on the capacity of my office," he responded, adjusting himself on his seat.

"And speaking of background, Your Majesty. How do you think the people would feel when they know that the person the King chose as his mate, which invariably means is the Queen of the five kingdoms, and Luna of this great pack, was the rejected mate of the Alpha of Ravenhill?"

Talia and King Barakar looked at Lord Finch as the other lords gasped. Enock, who was a part of them sat quietly as he watched what went on.

"The Moon goddess wills what she wills. And who am I to go against it?" King Barakar replied. "And besides that, I can choose whoever I want to be my Queen, can't I, Lord Finch?"

The King's blank gaze was fixed on him, making his heart quake.

"Of course you can, Your Majesty," Lord Finch answered, gulping.

"We are all concerned, Your Majesty. This is a decision that affects the whole realm," another Lord, Xavier, said, but got no response from the King.

"Raya and I shall be joined on the Day of the Wolf, twelve days from today. All the necessary arrangements should begin immediately," the King announced and instructed.

"All the resources needed for a most glorious and glamorous celebration shall be released, Your Majesty," Lord Caden responded. He knew his involvement was mandatory as the Master of coin.

"Is there anything I need to be made aware of?" the King inquired.

"Well, it's nothing serious, Your Majesty. It's just about the rogues. They've been a thorn in the flesh of the other Kingdoms. They even intercepted the tribute from Daminor," Lord Finch answered.

"Hmm," the King sighed, recalling his encounter with them when he saved Raya.

"But I'm sure they can handle it. They rogues are just a lawless wild bunch."

"Until they are not," Talia responded. The King looked at her, furrowing his brow.

"Lord Xavier. Reach out to the Alphas. Find out what the situation is like since they've been dealing with the rogues," the King instructed.

"Okay, Your Majesty. But why?" he asked. The King just glared at him.

"I'll get to it right away," Xavier replied quickly, seeing the displeasure in the eyes of the King.

"Anything else?" the King asked. But no one responded as they looked around at each other.

"Well then, this gathering is adjourned," King Barakar declared. The Lords got up and bowed, and took their leave.

"Talia. A word," the King summoned. So she returned back while the rest left. Ravna also excused the King, but waited outside.

"Enock was awfully quiet. I guess this isn't sitting well with him, huh?"

"Well, he shouldn't be," the King responded. "Anyway, I asked you to remain because of what you said. I think you're right about the rogues being a lawless bunch until they are not."

"Well, I haven't observed any pattern though. Their attacks have been haphazard. No correlation whatsoever, Your Majesty."

"The possibility of them banding together has been impossible. Their greed and selfishness never let them. But what if the day comes when they can?" King Barakar reasoned.

"That wouldn't be good. But the nations have what it takes to handle them. And they sure won't dare Winterhill. They know it'll be their funeral," Talia said.

"Nonetheless, I need you to look into it."

"But I thought Lord Xavier was tasked with that?" Talia asked, furrowing her brow.

"I need more eyes and ears," he replied.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Talia bowed. She could tell that he was a bit distrustful of what Lord Xavier could tell him about his findings.

"Well then. I'll take my leave now," Talia bowed and began heading to the door.

"And High Priestess?"

Talia turned paying attention to what the King had to say.

"Be discreet."

"I always am," she smiled, and walked out of the Hall of Lords.