Chapter 0114
Emory
+25 BONUS
I can’t move as Rainier continues to translate the story about the hybrid. It is nothing but a terrifying monster, a mindless killing machine. My breath quickens as panic sets in, making me want to run away. I want to hide under the blankets of my bed and shut the world out. I don’t want to believe my baby could turn into the beast in the story with no ability to reason and only an insatiable urge to kill.
I touch my abdomen with my fingers, feeling protective and terrified of the life inside of me. Perhaps I could teach them to be good. Even if they have these bloodthirsty urges, I can guide them to control themselves so they won’t hurt other people. Humans thought that wolf shifters are like the werewolves in myths that were mindlessly violent, but we aren’t like that at all. I could make sure my child learns they don’t have to be anything other than what they want to be and not just what their base urges lead them to.
“Are you all right, Emory?” Rainier asks. “You’re looking kind of pale. And that’s saying something coming
from me.
I check my watch to see it’s lunch time, and it gives me the perfect excuse. “I think I’m just hungry. We should go have lunch.”
That’s why I came to get you, actually. Queen Agatha is inviting you to have lunch with her again today. You and your sister are both invited, of course.”
“We shouldn’t keep her waiting, then.”
We all stand up to start putting the books away. Willow comes over with a book trolley to collect the books from us. Rainier scoops up half the books on the table and hands them individually to Willow.
“Long time no see, gorgeous,” he says with a salacious grin. “Where have you been hiding all this time?”
“None of your business, Rainier,” she replies with a cold glare. “If you have no further need of assistance, I suggest you leave the library.”
“I do need assistance with something.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her in an attempt to be funny and suggestive.
She is not amused. “If it has nothing to do with any books in this library, then I can’t help you. Please leave.”
“Willow, come on….”
She turns and walks away with the trolley before Rainier can say anything else. He lets out a defeated sigh and we all leave the library together.
“How do you know Willow?” I ask, curiously.
“We know each other from a long time ago. I thought she had left the castle. I didn’t know she was still around or had come back.”
“You have a history together?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “You could say that. We’re old acquaintances at best.”
I could asked him more questions, but my mind is too preoccupied with the story of the blood wolf and
1/2
Chapter 0114
what that could mean for all of us.
***
+25 BONUS
Kane
King Peter did not send a letter back this time. Instead, he sent a messenger. This is the same one I had seen for the past few weeks, the smooth–talking man who has a talent for spinning King Peter’s angry vitriolic words into something bearable. He looks like an ordinary vampire with the same pale skin and icy blue eyes as most of the rest of us. His hair is cut short and slicked back.
King Peter seems to trust this messenger the most because he’s promoted him to the status of a diplomat.
He bows low. “Your Majesty, I am now Lord Alistair. Vampire King Peter has sent me to be his representative so we can work on a peaceful resolution to the misunderstanding between our two kingdoms.”
“Misunderstanding?” I repeat with a scoff. “That’s what you want to call it? You tried to invade my land, and your troops are still camped at my doorstep ready to draw blood.”
“The situation may have regretfully escalated, but not to the lengths that it can’t be remedied. King Peter believes we can put this all behind us and renew the friendship between our kingdoms again.”
“And what would he want in return?” Rainier challenges, his arms crossed over his chest as he stares down at Alistair’s pointy face. “He does seem to enjoy making demands.”
