NEVER WOLF

Three

Lauren

Lauren instinctively bowed her head, her heart racing as she realized the wolf standing before her was none other than the alpha king, Ian. His presence was both imposing. She felt a flutter of uncertainty roll in her stomach.

“Please, no need for formalities,” he said with a warm smile. “You can call me Ian.”

Lauren's eyes widened and her knees almost buckle. The idea of addressing the alpha king by his name was atrocious. A nervous laugh escaped him as he observed her reaction. “Alright then, you can stick to ‘Alpha King Ian’ if that makes you more comfortable.”

“I’m afraid you might have lost your way,” Lauren found her voice, avoiding his gaze. “The noble she-wolves chambers are on the second floor.”

“But I’m done with that process,” he replied nonchalantly, leaning against the doorframe with an air of confidence. “I’ve chosen my mate—your mistress, Stephanie.”

Just as expected, even though the mention of Stephanie sounded a pang of jealously in her chest. “But...” Lauren stammered, uncertain how to voice her rising anxiety.

Ian raised a curious brow, amusement dancing across his features. “Does your mating ceremony take the entire night?”

“Yes,” she replied in a whisper.

He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “Not how it’s done in the royal pack. Here, it’s far more... efficient.”

Lauren’s eyes widened in disbelief as he casually moved toward the bed. Her heart raced at the thought of him sitting there, the alpha king, sitting at a maid's bed. Very atrocious.

“I'm here to share more magical adventures with you, interested?” he asked as he flopped on the bed.

Lauren shook her head, trying so hard to mask her discomfort. She wished he wasn't the king, He sat up.

“There’s a secret passage to another lore that I know off,” he said, a flicker of excitement blooming on his face. “That’s where I learned about the magic I performed earlier. Still not interested?”

Lauren hesitated, still feeling the weight of the honor thrust upon her. But curiosity tugged at her soul. This could be her only chance ever, and nothing should go wrong when she had the alpha king on her side.

“Alright,” she murmured, reluctant but willing to entertain the adventure.

Alpha king Ian’s grin widened, and without further ado, he led her through the window, guiding her as they climbed up to the chamber on the third floor where they reached a chamber that definitely belongs to a noblest of the noble wolves.

Alpha king Ian walked to a wall, where he uncovered a secret lock. The creaking door revealed a vast lore, shelves teeming with ancient scrolls and books illuminated by a warm glow from candlelight.

Lauren marveled at the sight.

“Check this out,” he said, picking up a dusty book that looked mid-read. “Are you ready for this?”

“Yes!” Lauren whispered, bubbling with anticipation as he lit a candle around the book, the flickering flames transforming into something enchantingly alive.

As he began reading in ancient wolfian, to Lauren’s awe, the candle flames divided themselves and began to act out the story—projecting vivid imagery in the air.

She watched, entranced, as three girls came into view within the flickering light—one wielding a bow, another holding a torch, and the third seated in a chariot. The one on the chariot directed their attention beneath a tree, and when they stood up back, they revealed two pups they had taken. The girl with the torch handed her pup over to the girl on the chariot, and together they all climbed into the chariot, riding away just as the candle began to burn out.

A laugh escaped her lips, bubbling over with delight. “That was incredible!” she exclaimed, her awe mingling with joy.

“I think it’s the story of the three sisters,” Ian mused, sharing in her excitement.

“Next time, we should bring loads of candles to read all the lore.” Lauren chimed.

“Absolutely! If magic allows us this glimpse into magic, and make you amused this much, I’d love to see more,” the alpha king replied with a chuckle.

Lauren laughed and it felt strange. She had almost never laughed until Josh and it hadn't been this genuine. Her heart swelled with gratitude.

“Thank you for this opportunity; I never thought I'd be laughing with the alpha king, especially when I can hardly look my own step-brother, an ordinary alpha, in the eye.”

She realized she had said too much when alpha king Ian’s expression shifted from jovial to something more serious, concern etched into his features. “Wait, why are you a maid in your own home?”

The question struck Lauren like a pitchfork, and she hesitated to reveal her truth. “I’m a product of infidelity,” she admitted quietly, the words tasting bitter as they left her lips. However, one truth stung sharper than the others—how could she confess that she was a never wolf?

He shrugged it off, dismissing her worries easily. He knew the consequences of being a 'bastard.' “Would you be my friend?”

“Friend?” she repeated, her mind racing. “A maid can't be a friend to the alpha king. That's the work of his beta.”

“Well, he knows about this, " he pointed all around the lore, “but doesn't seem interested like you do."

“I still can't be your friend. The Lunaria would have my head. Things must be done in order. Only if it would be in secrecy."

Lauren knew a revelation from Stephanie would have even the alpha king retracing his steps.

“If you're that bothered about the rank, I could promote you to a better rank, or better still, restore your original rank that your brother sat on."

“Let's do secretly.”

“Okay.” He said after Lauren who was already leading herself out of the lore.

“Will you call me Ian?”

Lauren whipped her head back suddenly.

“No!"

“But this is a friendship."

“An abnormal one."

“Shall I call you luna queen Lauren then?”

“No. You'll do no such thing." Lauren laughed hard.

“Just Lauren then.”

The bells began to sound again and Lauren hurried to the door.

“I don't know what that's for, but I better get going.”

“It's for the completion of my mating session. And you should be careful with the climbing. You might not even need to leave."

Lauren was just about to ask him what he meant when a knock echoed from the door, startling them both. Ian moved swiftly, opening it with the confident. He hadn't even bother to let her climb through first, he thrusted the door wide open.

“Your highness, the council is here to see your choice of mate and prepare her for the final stage of the mating session.” one of the men at the door reported.

Ian turned back, pointing to Lauren that was still stuck at the window with an easy grin. “This is my choice.”

Lauren’s stomach dropped, caught off guard by the decision made in an instant. The gazes of the council members landed on her, wide-eyed and surprised. She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling exposed under their scrutiny.