KING'S MATE

Anguish

I humming softly while stroking Lily's feather slowly.

My beloved animal is sleeping on my lap. Her tail swayed right and left and occasionally she made a happy snoring.

I returned to the Nickolas mansion after lunch the next day and right now I'm waiting for dinner. My personal maid, Maria, stands in the corner of the room with a well-built posture. She was always ready if I needed anything, she even wanted to look after Lily when I went to the bathroom.

Edmund took me to the basement where Nickolas was, but I refused softly because I hated a dark room.

I want to meet him, but I don't know what my reaction will be if I look into Nickolas's eyes. Edmund said if I changed my mind, I could meet him in the main castle and my response at that time was only a nod of my head.

Now I sit back at the window looking at the forest with natural beauty.

Nature is indeed the most valuable thing that God created for humans, God entrusted this nature to humans to be cared for and guarded, but unfortunately humans forget the obligations given by God by destroying nature itself without feeling guilty.

Since childhood, I really liked the atmosphere of the forest and if my cousin, William invited me to camp in the woods located not far from his house, I would definitely go along. Be it dad permit or not.

The sound of birds chirping, gusts of wind, gurgling water can make me grateful for life and get its own calm.

William always said that one day I would become a forest ranger and I didn't mind that comment at all. Protecting the forest is a noble job and there is no way I would feel embarrassed or awkward to tell anyone.

"Miss, Sir Gabriel wants to see you," I blinked and looked at Maria, who was currently standing a few meters near me.

I nodded my head and the servant walked straight to the door and opened it slowly.

Gabriel walked into the room with a fairly relaxed appearance. His eyes focused on a cute creature named Lily. Instantly wrinkled his forehead, "since when do you have a cat?"

"It's been a long time," I responded. Luckily Lily's reaction only opened her lazy eyes to see who was coming and after that her eyes closed again. What the --- why was the reaction different from Edmund? "You don't hate cats?"

"No. For what? If you ask that question to Edmund then the answer must be 'yes' Edmund and the cat are mortal enemies" I laughed at Gabriel's comment and confirmed in my heart. Edmund and the cat are mortal enemies. "How are you, Gween?"

"As you can see. It looks pathetic, but I'm fine," I said quietly. My hand playing the tail of Lily and my cat was not at all protested. Lily is indeed the best pet of all time! "Why are you here, Gabriel? Unusual"

"I want to say something to you, Gween"

"What's that? What is this about ---" my sentence stopped when I saw Gabriel nod his head once. I close my eyes and change my sitting position to be more robust.

"tell me Gabriel"

***

"The only way to make this plan work is to keep quiet. Me and Malcolm are carrying out this plan quietly. I want you to do your part Gween." Gabriel's words continued to spin in my mind like a broken record.

I really do not believe this. How can someone do such a trick just for the sake of power? They justify any means, whether it is good or bad only for an office chair which in reality is not eternal.

If the position will only blind you from your mind and morals, if you are not able to sit in that chair, why do you still force the will that will ultimately hurt yourself?

I don't understand the minds of people who are hungry for position and wealth. What they do not realize that they are being seen, monitored, and observed by people who are ready to bring them down. That's why I hate politics.

I can see how mt father change just because of his position and I don't want to feel that anymore.

My feet slowly walked down the hall after hallway that felt so moist. Two basement prison guards stood in front and behind me tried to protect me from things that were not wanted. While Josh walked by my side with a flat expression.

I deliberately asked Josh to accompany me to see Nickolas today. He initially refused, but after I begged him to relent and here we are ...

Our steps stopped in front of a silver-plated iron door located at the end of the room. I heard a growl from behind the door, and with one nod from Josh, the guard in front of me used gloves and unlocked the door. With slow steps I walked into the place where Nickolas was locked up.

Instantly my heart ached when I saw the figure of Nickolas at the end of the room with an extremely sad situation. His hair was a mess and the white pants he wore were soiled with dried blood and torn everywhere.

The skin on the hands and feet that were in contact with the silver handcuffs was seriously injured. His head bowed, but when he realized my presence he raised his head and the golden eyes met me immediately.

He growled angrily and tried to grab me, but his movements were limited because of the chains that were connected in his handcuffs. "Nickolas..."

"Don't get close to him, Gween. Alpha is not in a controlled condition and he can attack you, even though his hands and feet are handcuffed" I nodded my head and with trembling hands, I walked over to Nickolas. "Gween ..." Josh warned.

My eyes feel hot and my nose itches. My heart ached even more as the golden eyes stared at me with a look of longing that was so big. His arms outstretched trying to reach me, but I didn't accept him.

I inhale when I look closely at Nickolas's condition. My legs trembled and in the end I knelt before him.

Sobs came straight out of my lips when he saw his body filled with scratches which I believe came from himself because Nickolas's claws were covered in blood.

"Gween ..." Nickolas muttered in a hoarse voice. I sobbed even harder when I saw he looking at me with sadness so clear. "Don't cry little mate ..."

"Nickolas, I ----"

"Shh this is not your fault. I deserve this all" he whispered again. I shook my head quickly and moved toward him. I slowly released the handcuffs one by one which encircled his wrists and legs. "Gween..."

"I don't blame you Nick. You're just ----"

Nickolas shook his head in disapproval. His limp body immediately collapsed towards me when all the chains attached to his body came loose. His hands automatically wrapped around my body and his face sank into the recesses of my neck.

"Let's go back to the mansion," I muttered softly while helping Nickolas to stand up. He shook his head and looked at me with a tired look. "Nickolas?"

"I don't want to hurt you, Gween," I smiled and kissed her forehead softly. With one push we both got up. Josh immediately approached and helped me lead Nickolas out.

All the prison guards bowed respectfully to see their King walking past them. My hand moved stroking Nickolas's back slowly as we climbed the steps. Groans occasionally came out of his mouth and his breathing seemed to chase. He looks exhausted just from climbing the stairs. "You want me to make food?" I asked as we walked down the hall of the main castle.

Nickolas turned his head and kissed my cheek softly, "of course, I want to try your cooking." I nodded and heard Josh snort softly. Nickolas glared at his Gamma, but didn't comment anything.

When we were almost at the castle's main door, Nickolas groaned in pain and his eyes closed. Josh and I exchanged glances. Josh nodded his head at me and I knew right away what the answer was.

Our steps stopped when in front of the main door, Elder Rowin with Britanny stood with worried expressions, but I could see a mysterious glint in their eyes. My lips thinned and looked at the two people with hateful eyes.

Britanny, who was standing with all her elegance immediately ran over to Nickolas. He pushed my body to the side and replaced my position beside Nickolas. I rolled my eyes when her mouth was open and asked Nickolas the successive questions.

Nickolas blinked and looked at Britanny with the look I had seen at that time. My heart throbs, but I don't say anything. Gabriel's words kept spinning in my mind trying to be both a reminder and an inner reinforcer.

Josh looks at me and his eyes are full of meaning that only I know. Josh immediately threw his glare at Elder Rowin and rolled his eyes at the sight of the man approaching Nickolas with a worried expression that was so fake. "My King, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine" Nickolas answered in a hoarse voice.

Instantly Elder Rowin threw a look of hate at me and snapped, "What did you do to His Majesty?!! Muggle human!! All this happened because of your actions! You are a bad luck for this kingdom!" I flinch and step back.

Disbelief at Elder Rowin's words that were so painful made me feel sick. Is that how hateful the elder is to my status as only a 'human'?

I straightened and lifted my chin up. I will not bow because of his reasonable accusations, whereas he knows the real reason for Nickolas's condition.

"Sorry, Rowin ----" Elder Rowin hissed, didn't like hearing me call him by a no-frills name. His words were outrageous and it's only natural for me to act against. There is no respect I give him after hearing him say that. "--- If you want to blame me, go ahead. But we all here know who is guilty of Nickolas's condition"

Nickolas growled and looked at me angry. He showed his fangs and said, "shut up Gween" I shrugged and looked at Britanny who was watching me with a satisfied look because Nickolas snapped at me.

I snorted and walked away leaving them all. What I need now is Lily, Maggie and ice cream.

***

"So what? Accompany me to the mall?" begged Maggie by giving me a pleading look. I tapped my finger on my chin and pretended to think. "pretty pleaseee ..."

"What should I do? My foot hurts too much and—"

"I'll buy you a meal!" said Maggie quickly.

"Deal!" I muttered instantly. Maggie rolled her eyes and reached for the small bag she placed on the dressing table. I stood up and carried Lily in my arms. "Back to the Nickolas mansion first, I have to get Lily's bag and equipment."

"You want to bring Lily?" asked Maggie in disbelief.

"Of course, I have to look for cat food and find toys for Lily." Maggie groaned in frustration and looked at me annoyed. "oh come on this is not the first time"

"Still, every time we go to the mall you always carry it"

I shrugged, "Lily as my shield so you don't force me to try on clothes," I thought casually.

"Gween!!"

I laughed with satisfaction at the sound of Maggie shouting my name in protest.

***

When I entered the mansion, the first thing that was presented to me was the servants who walked in a frenzied way as if they were in time to complete the task.

I frowned and looked at Maggie as if she knew what was happening, surely she didn't know and gave me the same look.

Everyone stopped walking, aware of my presence, they immediately bent down and simultaneously said, "Luna"

Some of them gave me a look of sympathy and pity, but I ignored that by walking past them with a smile.

"This is just my feeling, or all those people were staring at you sympathetically," Maggie murmured softly.

I shrugged and said, "I feel the same way, but I don't care about that."

"True, I forgot that sometimes you are ignorant of your surroundings" I just murmured indistinctly and stopped right in front of my door.

I was just about to open the door, when I realized the door to my room was opened. I pushed the door open wider and found Nickolas and his 'elite' team inside my room. What is this? Is my room now turned into a secret meeting place?

Lily immediately raised her head and hissed when she saw Edmund's figure. Eh?

Edmund turned and hissed back. Everyone looked at me at once and gave a gaze that was hard to explain, then their gazes all turned to the creature in my arms.

Lily growled and her tail swayed quickly, but she immediately snored happily when my hand stroked her head slowly.

"Get that beast out of here!"

I glared at Edmund and replied with annoyance, "she's my baby! Don't you dare Edmund"

"Oh my God, I think this will be the tenth world war" Maggie commented beside me.

"Maggie!" Edmund and I shouted together. Maggie just shrugged her shoulders and looked at me and Edmund with consoled looks.

Lily meowed and rubbed her head against my chest. Her eyes looked at me innocently and she moved up. "What's wrong, Lily? Are you sad to be treated unfairly?" I murmured softly while stroking her back.

Edmund rolled his eyes in annoyance and folded his arms over his chest. His face looked bent and occasionally he grumbled softly. Alastair patted Edmund's back softly while holding back his laughter. "She's your Queen Ed, so you have to yield," Alastair murmured softly.

Edmund gave Lily a sharp look, while Lily looked satisfied seeing Edmund suffer. Jeez ---

Coughing voice immediately broke the relaxed atmosphere. I turned and saw Nickolas lying on my bed. He was wearing pajama pants and his body was bandaged.

Amused gaze adorns his gray eyes, while one hand reaches out towards me. I walked over to him and sat on the edge of the bed. "What about your wounds?"

Nickolas stroked my head and answered, "Because of Wolfbane and Silver, my recovery system has slowed down, but everything will recover in a few days"

"thank God," I murmured with relief. Nickolas glanced at Lily with an interested look. My beloved cat had walked towards the middle of the bed and curled up comfortably.

"So, she is Lily? The cat you said before?"

"Yup," I said simply.

Nickolas shook his head and commented, "keep him away from Edmund. I know that my general and the cat are mortal enemies."

"Hey!" Edmund protested.

"I've heard it from Maggie and Gabriel"

"Maggie! Gabriel!" Edmund protested again. I smiled and looked at Edmund with amusement, then my smile disappeared replaced by my serious expression.

"So what's up? Why is everyone here?"

"He knows," Gabriel said.

"about?"

This time Nickolas answered,

"everything"