Zeidan followed the ruthless Alpha into the room, counting from one to ten several times to suppress the urge to punch him in the face.

Soon they were both sitting on chairs facing opposite each other, by the fireplace. From across the room, Zeidan could notice a wooden box which was obvious that people who are interrogated are made to stand in it. Asides that, the only thing he can make of the room is the high table where he was sure the Alpha of the packs would sit to pass his verdict.

"I have ways known you would come asking for help someday. You can't be the all-powerful forever!" Styx's voice jerked him back to focus.

He looked at the man before him and calmly replied.

"I have come to ask for your help, Styx," he rubbed his palms together, as he leaned forward.

"What is it you wish to ask for?" Styx leaned back in his chair, leg swung carelessly on the arm of the furniture.

"Zeidan?" He added.

"The...the Werecats, they're attacking us," Zeidan let it out but paused mid-air thinking of how best to say this.

"Go on."

"My men are less in number compared to yours and in terms of security, your army holds a great reputation for that. I ask that your men ally with mine so we can fight these Werecats and secure the long-lasting treasure that our fathers have bequeathed to me."

"When do you want my army?" That came out different from what Zeidan had expected. Shifting uncomfortably, he replied.

"In a month, as the Werecats have promised to attack anytime in two months."

"Two months?"

He nodded.

Styx narrowed his gaze. "I agree."

"Really?" He sat up, swallowing very hard.

Styx stood up and walked to the fireplace where a box was placed on the cabinet above it. He removed a sheet of paper and a stamp from it and went back to sit.

"All you need to do is sign an agreement on this piece of paper," he smiled slyly as he handed over the paper to the man before him.

Zeidan went through it and on the paper, the Alpha's scribbled writing sprawled on it.

"In honor to whatever deal is made, both parties are ordered to seal it by signing while the Alpha stamps it to finalize the deal."

"What's the condition?" Zeidan asked immediately knowing what the paper implies.

"I'll have possession of a quarter of the Onyx to improve the technology of the Werewolves. Under the law of this stamp, I'll have part of the treasure," he licked his lips as the younger man was beginning to get uncomfortable.

As less evil as the Werewolves may be compared to the Cats, he still cannot trust the Onyx to be in their possession.

"If that is what you want, I'm sorry, but you can't have it." He pretended to prolong the cooperation just as he had planned with Luana.

"So." Styx picked his words with caution as the Vampire King was beginning to rise. "You seem it wise to let your enemies defeat you and take over all of your possessions simply because you refused to give out something simple."

"It's not a simple jewelry!" Zeidan roared back but had to calm down as he exhaled, remembering the purpose of his visit.

Sitting back down, he faced Styx squarely.

"I propose something better. You'll have part of the Onyx but only till we defeat the Werecats. After the war, you must return the Onyx. To honor our alliance, I'll marry one of your daughters."

"Well, here's an addition to your lackadaisical proposition," he twitched his lips. "You'll do one more thing before I can release my army."

Dropping the basket full of her siblings' clothes on the grassy floor outside on the lawn, Lyne's thoughts wandered back to what had ensued between the strange man and her.

What is the man doing in the palace? Is he one of her Father's acquaintances? If so, she might be in big trouble. She bit her lips, her face looking worrisome.

"Hey!" She was startled by her annoying twenty-six years old brother, Charles. He is one of her biggest bullies and never ceases to remind her of how useless and irrelevant she is to the family.

His blonde hair sits beautifully on his head and although they're both not on good terms, Lyne will still give him credit for his good looks supported with green eyes and pink lips.

He was wearing his hunting attire and she wondered if he went hunting as a human, contrary to the rules of the pack or if he shifted from the hunting attires. But if that was so, the attires would be trashed by now because they always tear off. This is why wolves are urged to wear sheets or linens to cover their nakedness when shifting.

"What worries my beautiful sister?" He asked, tone indicating pure mockery.

"It's none of your business, Charles," she picked a blue sheet from the basket and clipped it to the lines where they always spread clothes.

"Just as spreading our clothes isn't any of your business. It's the work of the maids," Charles giggled annoyingly.

"But you all make me do it anyway," she shot at him before resuming her work.

"That's why you must tell me. It's none of my business but I gotta know anyways." He spread his hands as if awaiting a hug.

Lyne swallowed before giving in.

"I'm just wondering who that strange man is. Why is he here?"

"That I don't know. But I must say, he's not a friend to us but a foe. His people have caused more havoc than you can ever imagine. If you come across one while you're defenseless, they won't think twice before killing you."

"What?" Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how he threw an arrow at her. She could have been killed by a man whose looks she almost fell stupidly for.

"He is the King of the vampires."

"Lies!" Her eyes were now laced with tears.

"Oooh!" Charles whistled. "Is someone having feelings for an enemy? I've always known you're a freak."

"No, not that! He almost killed me, Charles!"

Her brother's eyes darkened and his fists were clenched for the first time. She saw her brother trying to stand up for her.

He turned and made his way towards the palace while she sat on the grass crying hard and wondering how she escaped from death narrowly.

She sniffled and rose, following her brother to see what he was up to but had to stop at the entrance behind him. They both stood there, eavesdropping on the King and Zeidan's conversation.

"I'm wondering why you want to marry any of my daughters." she heard her Father say to Zeidan who shot him a deadly look.

"That's because I'm cutting down on your interest," he replied tilting his head to the side.

Who will Father be giving out this time? Obviously as a prey. Her heart clutched hard and her breath held as she listened intently.

"Impressive!" Styx inquired.

There was silence for a while before he spoke up again.

"Who among my daughters are you taking? And I hope you do know she's the only partner you'll ever have. That's the vampire rules, I hear."

"Anyone of your daughters is fine by me."

Styx laughed heartily but his laughter sounded like poison and sounded more like a spear through her heart as she heard him mention her name. His eyes filled with delight as they gave unspoken words that showed he has now gotten what he wanted. The Onyx. However, he can only give to the Vampires someone who isn't worthy of staying with the Pack. Someone irrelevant.

"Lyne," he muttered and Charles turned to go, leaving her to her fate.

With her heart in her mouth, she slid her back down the wall and sat on the floor.

So as not to make noise, she bit her sleeve and sobbed hard.

What fate has for her with the Vampire king, she doesn't know yet, but she knew she will never forgive her family for leading her to the slaughter altar.

Later that night, Lyne barged into Styx's room, her face full of rage. She has had it up to the extreme and she felt it was time to stand up for herself.

Her father was sitting on the edge of the bed going through a sheet of paper.

"Is this how much you hate me?" She yelled, attracting stares from the guards standing at the entrance.

"Get out from here!" Styx roared at them and they scurried away.

"What are you saying, my dear?" He turned towards Lyne who wasn't having any of his act.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "The agreement between you and your guest was about what?"

"It's none of your business."

"I don't think so. We are talking about my life here. You want to throw it all away for a piece of jewelry? You will hand me over to your worst enemy?" She was crying already. Her head pounding with a million unasked questions in her head.

"Is that it?"

"You both agreed to use me for your dirty games? You want me to get married to a vampire?!" She pointed towards the door, her eyes bulging like they would fall out of their sockets.

"Oh, and?"

"You of all people know these people are capable of doing anything. Do I not matter to you at all?"

"You do matter to me, Lyne. In this situation, you do. Ever since your mother's death, you've never joined any of your siblings to fight a single war so you can't understand what this is all about!"

"Of course. You're right." Her voice was shaky. "I'd rather die than get married to that pompous idiot!"

"I've made my decision, and that is it." Styx rose and dropped the paper on a dressing cabinet.

"That. Is. It."

Lyne's brow furrowed in disgust.

"I wonder how my mother would like this."

"You will not mention her name!" He turned at her, eyes changing from their initial color to wolf gray.

"No? Why?" Lyne's eyes widened in mocking surprise. "I just want you to think about it."

"She's so much different than you in all ways!"

"If you loved her as you claimed. If she was your favorite, then treat her daughter the way you know she'd want you to." She gave him a firm look. "If I am not like her, you should have killed me a long time ago."

"You do know that my decisions can't be changed, don't you?" He took a long stride towards his bed and laid there as if to say the conversation is over.

Heart clutching, she swallowed hard.

"I've made my own decisions that I'd rather die than marry a vampire just to satisfy your selfish urge."

Before he could say another word, she ran out of the room.

"So you're going to marry his daughter?" Wikh posed the question as he arranged

Zeidan's bed.

Since the King had asked him to celebrate the wedding in the kingdom before heading back to vampire city, he had no choice but to agree. All to protect his origin.

Sitting on the dressing stool, he accessed his reflection and saw a young vampire version of himself looking at his dying Father.

"Well, it is what it is, old man." He replied Wikh, looking at him through the mirror.

"All for the people. I'm just worried about Luana."

A flicker of hatred passed through Wikh's face as he scoffed and dropped a pillow on the bed.

"Well, it's not so difficult. You tell her the news, explain your reasons for agreeing, she gets mad and crazy, we bound her and throw her out of the city. That's it." He chattered off, almost to himself.

Zeidan narrowed his eyes as he stared at Wikh's figure from the mirror and turned to look at him.

"You do know she planned all of this, don't you?"

"But my Lord, you can't marry two women."

"It's not your decision to make. I'm worried about Lyne being able to face her. I doubt if she can even hold a sword." He twitched his lips and faced the mirror again.

"You can teach her then."

"Why do you want Luana to leave that bad? She seems to be the best I can recommend as a Queen for vampire city. I mean, she has the bravery, beauty, and brains."

Something fell with a thud outside the door and they both kept quiet. Nodding towards Wikh, he rose to check who was at the door, while he followed behind.

Opening it, he saw a girl in a white gown with golden hair on the floor. Her brown boots stuck under a fallen heavy statue.

"Oh my freakin' world!" Zeidan screamed before carrying the young lady who was unconscious already.

Checking who it was, his heart did a triple somersault like it did in the forest. Blood dripped from her head and Zeidan was drawn to her immediately.

"Lyne?" Zeidan called after pressing the soaked towel on her head for the umpteenth time.

Wikh gave an exasperated sigh.

"This is the fortieth time you will be touching her, your Highness. Let her be."

Ignoring him, Zeidan continued to watch over her. He accessed her from her whole face to her neck and her slender body that gave a beautiful shape. He couldn't help but touch her again, this time on her face.

He has never felt this way. After his Father's death, all that has been on his mind was to avenge his death and carry on the legacy. He did warm his bed numerous times with girls who without hesitation fell for his looks. Maybe Luana was just the same. He felt like he has only been pushing himself to like her because she was the perfect ideal Queen.

But a question lingered in his mind now. Is she the ideal lover?

The light from the sun illuminated the room giving it a serene look perfect for having time alone. Music sounded distant in her ears and all she could see is darkness and emptiness.

Inside her as she closed her eyes, oblivious of her surroundings. It felt like she was been thrown into a bottomless pit where she kept falling.

Suddenly, a light emerged from the end and her face was lined with smiles. Finally, it was here. But why does it still feel like she's in the darkness?

The song had begun to echo like it was a dirge made for someone and when she turned her head, she was whirled by what felt like the wind into another dimension where she stood in the middle of the forest. Her forehead was laced with beads of perspiration. The air was misty and her throat sore.

"Hello?" She managed to call but there was silence t first.

"Who's there?" She heard shuffling footsteps, almost like the owner was trying so hard to walk unnoticed or unheard.

"I know you're somewhere hiding! Whoever you are, you can't scare me. My name is Lyne and I am the Luna." Covering her mouth she wondered if she always say that word confidently.

Soon, in the dark, two red eyes surface staring at her. Her heart skipped beats a hundred times as she watched the bulging eyes move closer. They had a catlike profile. As it moved closer, she heard a soft voice call her name.

"Lyne? Lyne?"

She opened her eyes and saw Zeidan standing over her, towel in hand. Her heart clutched seeing how handsome he is. She hoped that everything she thought had happened was just a dream. However, they weren't as she heard her sister's voice filling the room.

"Doing the husband's work already, I can see." Korba scoffed as she sat at the edge of the bed, watching her.

"I'm sorry if I'm being a little forward..."

"You're marrying her for a contract," her annoying voice filled her head and Lyne shut her eyes tightly, cursing under her breath.

"Remember your place and help her remember hers too."

There was silence for a while and Lyne wondered what Zeidan was going to say.

His next outburst shocked her.

"Whether I'm marrying for a contract or not doesn't matter. She's human with blood flowing through her and humans are expected to be treated delicately with care. I'm only doing my job." He rose, smiled curtly at her, and left the room leaving both Korba and her speechless.

"Lucky you. Someone thinks you deserved to be valued for once."

She walked back out of the room and Charles walked in seconds after.

"Hey," he called, trying hard to conceal his concerned looks.

"How're you doing, freak?"

"I'm doing well," she smiled a bit. She was only going to put up with their attitude for a short time before going into a different world.

"What happened?" He threw in the question, causing Lyne to glance at him, memories of the previous day flashing through her eyes.

"I went to confront Dad."

Charles whistled and jogged towards her sister, his eyes widened.

"Tell me about it. You confronted the old Alpha?"

"He already made up his mind. I'll be marrying Zeidan." Her last sentence sounded like a life imprisonment verdict passed to a prisoner accused wrongly.

"So much for being a freak, freak," he folded his arms akimbo, face thoughtful.

Together, they were both lost in their thoughts. Lyne unaware of what the future holds for her and Charles thinking of his next meeting with his old acquaintance. His gaze darkened.

They all stood in a straight line on the field. Their faces were straight and focused on the vastness of the place. Their pupils dilating and their breathing palpitating.

On a high rock opposite the whole Royal siblings (except Lyne), Azrael lay already in his wolf form. His eyes not leaving Charles, the eldest, Reb, Diana, Olivia, Tara, Frank, Korba, and the twins, George and Georgina.

"When you hear the whistle, you must run with all your might. You must be one with the wind and sky not forgetting that nature must be your best friend. Let the air breathe on your first, and let the sun suck up your fury. You are and must forever be the best hunters in your clan. As it stands, you all are nowhere near the best but you have proven to be good."

He continued to talk while the siblings in their white sheets wrapped around them looked forward.

On the first floor, Lyne resumed her position as an audience. Always watching them shift as usual.

Sometimes she would see the nakedness of those who would throw away their sheets before shifting totally and have a good laugh herself. It was always a good sight to behold, but she dared not tease anyone of them about it.

"Look at that freak. She's watching us now, obviously jealous of us." George a redhead whispered into Charles' ears and they both peeked up at her. They held back their laughter for fear of facing Azrael's wrath.

"At the count of three, you all will go out there..."

"Enough with the same preaching, old man. We are used to it." Reb muttered, taking her fingers through her brownish blonde hair.

The drum gave a loud sound and they all ran five feet, some six before throwing off their sheets and shifting into big wolves, their claws hitting the floor and gathering dust behind them. All of them going to bring home the best meat.

The breeze blew Lyne's hair as she watched them leave. Her face expressionless like she was deep in thought but it lasted for a few seconds as she burst out laughing.

Zeidan came out of a corridor and saw her from afar wondering what was making her laugh. Whatever it is, she looked beautiful with her smile.