The Ceremony!
1875 Words
Artur POV
Few hours before we caught Daphne in the bar house, I was heading to her room to talk to her. I wanted to talk about us. She might be my brother's mate and the future queen of this pack.
But, I'm sure my brother doesn't want her. I don't care if she's rejected, I'll have her for myself. I wanted to give her hope that I still love her. But, when I entered the room. It was empty. Just some rags on the floor. I bent down to pick it, that's when Gerald rushed in. He looked around the room, not convinced that she's really gone.
"Why is she gone?" He yelled.
"I thought you wanted her gone!" Castro asked in reply.
"Well, I lied! I want her back!" He yelled.
I frowned deeply. He rejected her before, now he wanted her back.
"Did you send her off?" I asked my brother. He growled at me.
"Why do you ask?" He asked.
"She's my friend. She couldn't have left without telling me"
He scoffed and grabbed Castro by the collar.
"Go find her and bring her back!" He said.
"Yes, your majesty"
"I'm coming with you" I said and followed Castro. I rather go with him than sit here with Gerald. He's such a pain in the ass.
I went with Castro with some other guards. We thought we could track her scent but she doesn't have any stench. Only Gerald could perceive something from her because he's her mate.
"Where do we look for her?" I asked Castro. He stopped to look at me.
"You should go back my Prince, I'll find her and bring her back"
"You should go back and let me find my friend"
"You know the moment she becomes the queen, she'll no longer be your friend. You'll have to be loyal to her" he said.
I smirked.
"We'll split into two. Take the men and go east. We'll search the woods" I ignored what he just told me.
"If we can't find her, we'll search the town"
"Good" I replied and we split up. I really hope I could find her first so, I can talk to her. We searched throughout the day but didn't find her.
When it was evening, Castro and the other guards met us in the town. Then we started searching. Luckily, we found her in the bar house.
She was being inspected by those men. She looked different whenever she wears gowns. She was so hot and beautiful. I don't think I could take my eyes off her.
I watched as the guards dragged her out of the bar house.
"Let go of me!" She said and pushed the men away from her side.
"Why did you come here? Why did you find me?" She asked.
"We are here to take you home" I said.
"Home? What home? I don't have any home" she said.
"Daphne..."
We heard someone call her name from behind. It was one young boy. He handed her bag to her.
"I'm sorry Braxton. I couldn't..."
"Take her" Castro ordered. They dragged her away from that boy.
She struggled to free herself.
When we got to Palace, I stopped the guards.
"I'll take her to her room" I said and took her hand. Castro beat my hands off.
"She's not going to her room. The king has ordered that she be punished"
"What?" I asked.
"Do you have a problem with it Artur?"
Gerald asked, walking out of the palace.
"How could you punish her? She's your mate"
"It's none of your business"
"I thought you said I could leave! Why did you come to find me?" Daphne asked.
"I wanted you back sweetheart. Take her to the beaten room"
They took her away. I wanted to go after her but, Gerald didn't let me.
"I know about your relationship with Daphne. I should remind you that she's mine now. Don't cross the line"
"You already rejected her. What else do you want from her?"
"She could be useful on the bed. I'll do whatever I want with her. I'm the king and you...you are my subject. Act like one!" He said and walked away.
I hurriedly went to the beaten room. It was just one small wooden house where maids and the ladies in the palace can be punished. But, Daphne was different. She was being punished by guards and not her fellow maids.
I just stood outside, hearing her scream. My heart twisted in pain as I heard her cry. I couldn't do anything to save her. I'd have saved her from the guards instead of finding a way to talk to her.
It was late. The guards and Castro left the beaten house. It was time to help her escape. But, they locked the door and held the key.
Immediately they left, I ran to the door and bang it. Was she still alive?
"Daphne? Daphne, can you hear me?" I called out.
"A.. Artur?" She called. I heaved a breath of relief, hearing her voice. She was alive.
"I'm sorry they did this to you. Gerald is making a huge mistake. Why on earth would he be doing this?"
"Artur, please. Take me out from here" she cried.
I sniffed in and rubbed the entrance of my nose.
"I wish I could help you Daphne, but the door is locked. Only Castro hold the key"
"I'm hurt. All over my body is burning. I'm weak, Artur"
"I'll break down the door, even if it means defying Gerald's order"
"No!" She said and continued.
"You don't have to. It's fine. You should leave from there before someone sees you"
"Will you be alright? I'm f*****g worried about you"
"I'll be... I'll be fine" she stuttered and coughed.
I heard footsteps.
"I'll come back for you tomorrow. Stay strong Daphne" I said and ran off. I'm a prince in the palace but, I can't do anything. I'm also the army commander, still, I can't do anything. I'm only useful on the battlefield. The full moon was already out. Wolves howling filled everywhere. The hunting has started.
Even the king has left already. Some guards were making sure the beaten house was safe just after I left there. They made sure no one was allowed in.
Some people were scared to go into the woods. They were scared of the dragon. I wasn't interested in feeding tonight, I went into my room, still thinking about Daphne.
Castro POV
Gerald and I were done hunting. He wore his robe as we head back to the palace.
"Do you think I'm being harsh on Daphne?" He suddenly asked.
"You're the king, I'm sure you know what you're doing" I replied.
"Prepare a meeting with the Gatlins tomorrow. It's high time I told everyone about my mate"
"Will you accept her as your mate?" I asked her.
"Daphne? Nah! I just need to mark her and mate with her. I've done that already" he said. I secretly rolled his eyes.
"Then, why do you want her back?" I asked, wearing a questioning look on my face.
"I'm the king. I get what I want" he said and walked away. I followed him behind. He's so immature.
.
.
The next morning, Ivy and her parents were here. They came as soon as they heard the message. They thought it was time for their daughter to be queen.
"Castro, do I look good?" Ivy asked me.
I looked at her from head to toe.
"I can't compliment you, miss Ivy" I replied.
"Don't be such a d**k" she said. I saw her eyes looking around for her sister. A smirk appeared on my face.
"Greetings, your majesty!" They bowed to Gerald.
"Please, have your seat" he said.
They sat down with him at the dinning table. The maids rushed in to serve them. Ivy kept on blushing. Her parents can't believe they were eating with the king.
"I heard His Majesty decree about the Dragon. You will be a smart king" Mr Gatlin said.
"Hmmm" was Gerald's respond.
"Why did you call us here? Do you have something to say?" Ivy blushed.
Gerald dropped his fork.
"Yes, I do have something to say to you. All of you" he said. They also dropped their fork and listen.
"I know for ages, my family's queen will always be from your family"
"Yes, your majesty" they chorused.
"But, I'm afraid. I didn't happen this time" he said. They shot their mouth wide open.
"What? What are you talking about?" Ivy asked, losing her respect. Sometimes, she forget that Gerald is now the king and not the crown prince of before.
"I've found my mate, I've marked her and mate with her" he said. They gasped loudly.
"It's not possible!" Mrs Gatlin said and sprung up. Gerald shot her a hard glare. She slowly sat down.
"You all know who my mate is. She told me she's no longer from the Gatlin family because her father claim that she was taken from a stranger. Isn't that right, Mr Gatlin?" Gerald asked. They all exchanged glances with each other when they discovered that it was Daphne he was talking about.
"Daphne must have tricked you, your majesty. She's not my daughter. She doesn't have the Gatlin blood running through her veins" Mr Gatlin said.
"She's my mate. There's nothing that can change it. Tonight will be the crowning ceremony. I'll be crowned king and she'll be crowned queen" he said. I glared at Gerald. Was that why she kept Daphne? Or was he just making it up?
If he wanted to crown her queen for tonight, why did he lock her in the beaten room? He must be so confused or he's up to something.
"What about me? Our pride as the Gatlin family?" Ivy asked.
"You're invited to the ceremony. It starts at sun down, don't be late" he said and walked away.
"Enjoy your breakfast" I said and walked away, so I could catch up with Gerald.
"Are you going to make her your queen?" I asked him.
"Maybe. Wouldn't it be nice?" He asked and laughed. He was heading out. I know it's to see her.
He made me open the door and when we saw her, she was looking so weak and tired.
"Look, it's my mate" Gerald said.
"You'll pay for doing this to me, I swear" She said.
"Oh shut that stinky hole on your face. There's nothing you can do. You're just nothing without me" he said.
"I'm a lot more than you think without you. I don't need you in my life you son of a..." Before she could complete her sentence, he slapped her right on the face. She turned her neck and spat out blood. I was feeling sorry for her.
"Make sure she gets ready for the ceremony and if she escapes, you'll be dead" he said to me and left.
Daphne turned her face from me. I really wish I could free her now.
"What are you looking at? Go!" She yelled at me. I change my mind, I'm not letting her go. I turned and left the beaten room, locking it again.
- Writer
