Chapter 12
The weeks that followed were quieter than Ralphine ever imagined for a kingdom so bright with life and one that had been busting with energy. She barely saw the Lycan King or even the Lycan warriors. Hell, not even Polina was on her face telling hier about how she didn’t fit in, and for that, Ralphine Belyaeva was curious.
She had been used to the loud hallways, and the crowded palace but suddenly it was like nothing was happening anymore There was no sign of life, making Ralphine believe that this was some sort of an illusion. It was all so strange, but even then. there was one constant in Ralphine’s life.
Her maidservant, Kara, who had been diligent through and through. She never once disappeared. Her routines never changed and it was like she didn’t want to talk about anything other than how the Lycan queen–in–waiting was doing. Expectedly, today was no different.
“Good evening Your Highness. I have brought your food,” Kara said as she bowed her head, something that Ralphine also noticed changed since the day she had come from Miroslav’s office.
Honestly, the broken wolf wasn’t sure what the fuck was going on, but perhaps she could ask, right? There had to be a good reason for this, or maybe there was a war coming their way, perhaps there was something, something their queen wasn’t supposed to know.
“Thank you, Kara, Ralphine said, and that was all it took for Kara to be on her way.
Kara couldn’t stay any longer because it would make things harder for her. That was always why she did this, unlike the first few weeks, when she would ask about how their King was doing. It was always an act that reminded Ralphine of how normal he was even though she was in a Lycan castle and didn’t know shit about what was real or not.
“Kara, wait,” Ralphine said as she looked up from the book she had been reading. She had taken to reading the books in the King’s chamber, mostly books about the Lycans and how their systems worked. She had come to understand that the King was never planning on letting her go, and she didn’t want to be on the turn from the man who scared the entire realm.
By now, Ralphine knew what was expected of her when she ascended the queendom, but that didn’t make her feel any better with the way things were. She just wished she had someone to talk to, someone who understood her, someone who didn’t treat her like she was the most powerful woman who wasn’t to be interacted with. She was lonely and it broke her heart, especially given she was worried about her sanity.
“What is it, your highness?” Kara asked, her voice low and submissive, which worried Ralphine. She may have had her status elevated by the King, but goddamn, this wasn’t how she imagined that things would change. She couldn’t even count the number of weeks she had been here, but Ralph was smart enough to know that it was a lot of time. Probably a month or two. but she couldn’t tell how long it had been.
“What is happening out there? Why is there sudden silence around? What’s not going on in the Kingdom that used to be lively?” Ralph asked worriedly. She wasn’t sure she would get her answers, but she sure hoped that Kara wouldn’t leave her in the dark too. It had been a while and hopefully, she got the answers she was seeking.
“Some rogues were captured trying to invade the Kingdom. Everyone’s been told to stay indoors unless they have to really be outside. Don’t worry though, it will all pass. The kingdom has been through this more than once, so it won’t be long. Kara said. like it was meant to make Ralphine feel any better.
“What rogues!” Ralphine asked as she looked at the woman before her. Kara was tense, unlike the last times that she had come to Ralph, and once again, Ralphine’s radar was high on alert. Was there more to this!
“If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave, Your Highness,” Kara said but Ralphine wasn’t having any of that. So, she got up and stared at the maidservant assigned to her, as if to tell the woman that this wasn’t really a good time for her to be taking her in circles, but even if she knew the truth, what would she do?
“What rogues, Kara?” Ralphine insisted.
“Warlocks, not much to worry about, Your Highness,” Kara said, seeing as she knew that Ralphine wasn’t going to let it go. She had been this woman’s servant for a while now and regardless of what was happening, she could only hope that Ralphine didn’t do anything dangerous. But would it really matter even if she did, when the world was slowly coming apart?
“Why would warlocks want to invade the Lycan lands? Isn’t there some rule that prohibits the factions from coming at each other? A treaty perhaps? Did Ibrahim do anything to trigger the warlocks?” Ralphine asked her questions coming out faster than they had expected but she was worried.
The Tallins were easily the strongest of all creatures in the world. To see the entire Kingdom cower away because of warlocki, just defnit make any sense to her. The Miroslav she had heard of, was never scared of anything and yet right now, it seemed like the King was trying to minimize collateral damage. It made no sense whatsoever that the King would be that cautious Unless ther was something more.
have said more than I should, your highness. Please don’t make me do this.” Kara pleaded, and Ralphine sighed
She had learned that Kara was under the King’s command and she wasn’t supposed to divulge any information to the queen in ing however, right now, this just didn’t seem to make any sense to Ralph. But then she wouldn’t push, lest it be the last
that she saw her maidservant. If anything, she had started to like Kara for her anyway
Fine. Go. Thank you for the food. Ralphine said and Kara bowed before leaving a frustrated and curious Ralphine in the King’s chambers. She could have walked out of there but she had a feeling that this wasn’t a good time for her to be going against Miroslav or even daring to defy what was going on in the Kingdom, especially since she was unmated.
Why are they being so discreet about it?” Ralphine asked herself as she paced around the room. In all her life, she had never heard of the warlocks and Lycans being at war. Sure, there were some fights over little things but then fights were common
mong people of the same race or even different races.
It had never been this significant to the point that the Kingdom of Asmoria looked like it was preparing for an invasion. To think that the great Lycan King was ensuring the safety of his people, made her more curious. So, she did the one thing she shouldn’t have. Ralphine went to seek out the Lycan King, Miroslav Ibrahimovich
Walking the long hallways and to the King’s study, Ralphine wasn’t sure if this was a good idea of course she knew she wasn’t to do this, but she was in the dark and she hadn’t seen Miroslav in weeks almost months that she couldn’t even account for. Perhaps she was being stupid. Or perhaps she figured she could do something instead of being in the room like a book that couldn’t move. Well, books sometimes moved, but that was beyond what they could offer at the moment.
“She must not hear of this. Heion. Make sure of it the Lycan King said, his voice so stern and his tone so sinister like he was passing on a warning. It was almost like there was more that he needed to protect. Ralphine stopped in her tracks, worried that she would be found there, while she tried to listen to a private conversation
“Why not let her know? If this is for her. I don’t see why she shouldn’t know that she’s the cause of all this. Don’t tell me you want to hide her forever. Miroslav. That isn’t wise counsel, even for you.” Polina said and the King let out a long groan.
It was like he was caught at a crossroads and wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. But at the same time, he was the King that people depended on. He had to think fast. He had to make decisions that ensured his people’s safety, but why did this seem like the greatest challenge he ever encountered?
“She’s not in the position to do anything, Miro. Besides, as much as it pains me to admit this, she deserves the truth, if this is going to continue- Polina said and the King let out a full growl
“I said, no one tells her. You tell her and I will have your head on a football field for the younglings to play with. Do not test my patience. Polina.” King Miroslav said, and Ralphine decided to test the waters. She wasn’t sure what this was about, but as the conversation went on she couldn’t see anyone that the Lycan King would be so determined to protect like that.
“Miro-”
“If it’s about me, you can as well lay it out for me. It’s not like I do anything sitting pretty in the royal chambers, Ralphine said as she rushed through the doors, an action that got everyone in the room getting up, including the very frustrated King Things were not going as planned and he wasn’t liking it.
The King’s office was filled with so many people, warriors, elders, and the King’s best friends. They all looked like they were trying to find the best way to deal with the situation, but nothing encouraged them. The new reality was a cruel one, but they were still trying to find a way around it.
“Ralph- the King began, but the queen–in–waiting for interrupted him.
“The warlocks, they are coming because you got a mate, right?” Ralphie asked and that was all it took for the meeting to wordlessly dissolve and she had to watch everyone leave the room, one by one, until it was just her and her King.
King Miroslav didn’t look too pleased about Ralphine being there but what was he going to do to her? Send her way? Banish her! He hadn’t looked at her in weeks, hadn’t even managed a conversation with her. After the evening they had weeks ago, they hadn’t seen each other and that was stressing Ralphine out because she didn’t know he was going on in her mate’s mind.
Of course, she had grown to accept that the King was her mate, but then it still scared her, because this man was dangerous,
Chughes 27
rdship was just a rogue who happened to be mated to him, a rogue who was weak and had nothing to offer him, other than
stence. Perhaps she had learned that she was just supposed to exist, but if there was a chance the warlocks were coming because of ber, didnt she at least deserve to know?
ou don’t know what you speak of, Ralph, the King said as he looked at his queen, standing there in her long gown. She looked daching and achingly beautiful.
She was perfection in his eyes and he could have loved to show her off to the world and let everyone know that he had at perfect mute, but what Miroslav had found out about her and what happened to her in Koslov, hadn’t allowed the King to make a move. If anything, the great king had been worried about breaking her or even her heart. He was new to this and it scared the hell out of him.
I know my place here, but you haven’t looked at me in weeks, Ibrahim. I don’t know if I’m just a trophy for you, but I need you close and now you have the attention of warlocks too. Everyone has you, but me. What am I supposed to do, when all I can think of is you?” Ralphine rushed out in one breath and the King stopped functioning.
I was like someone had pressed a pause button because the King was stiff as a statue. For a moment here, Ralphine worried that she had managed to break him, but what else was she supposed to do?
“What what? Ibrahim. Why are you doing this to me, if you don’t want me around?” Ralphine asked as she herself and the King knew that hell was finally here..
His Erastha was in heat.
His enemies were slicing in
His Lycan was fighting to come out.
He wanted to take it slow.
But what choice would Miroslav make, especially when he could smell his Erasthai’s desire pooling?
