The Lycan King & I

One.

"You're late." Thiele snorts at me as I burst through the wooden door of our shared room. She was saying what I already knew, her commentary didn't help. I just hope I don't get in trouble. It was more than likely that my tardiness wouldn't even be noticed. I want to be sure the other humans wait for me before they leave, I don't like walking alone here.

Thiele was not always the friendliest companion. But she was better than being alone. I learned that she was simply a stern woman who was frustrated. She wasn't mean spirited.

I had meandered a bit on my way home from work, and underestimated how long I spent marveling at the beauty of the newly turned red leaves on the pathway home. We didn't have fall back home. Opening the leather chest at the end of my bed, I pull out my nicest dress; a dark blue number that made my skin look milk white, and hair shine golden. I pull it on over my head. 

    Thiele doesn't say anything else as she buttons her own dress. I wasn't surprised, us humans didn't say much. It was ingrained into our minds not to.

    "Humans are not to be heard, and only seen when necessary."

    Apparently, there was a time when it wasn't like this. Long, long ago. When Humans ruled over the earth, and werewolves were hidden in the shadows, us blissfully unaware of their existence. There were so little of us humans now, the only ones really kept around were the ones who were useful to the Wolves. And somehow, I was now in the category.

    "I'm leaving in ten seconds," Thiele comments to me, as she waits by the door. It was her own way of waiting for me.

    "I'm ready," I clear my throat and bristle through my hair harshly with my brush, tossing it to my bed once I'm finished. I'll put it away later.

Frizzy hair to compliment my boring dress, I snort to myself. There were three kingdoms; the Northern Kingdom, The Middle Kingdom, and the Southern Kingdom. I was born and raised in the South, as all humans were. The Shifters didn't like arid and hot weather. The Middle Kingdom was mostly forest, with streams and lots of lush greenery.

    I like it here. The sun doesn't beat down on the back of my neck, it smells like fresh air, and everything is so fancy. I had my own bed and there is always hot water to bathe with. There is the security of a meal when I am hungry, and I never have to worry about the electricity shorting. Thiele did not share my opinion. Its very clear that she does not consider the Middle Kingdom home, she counts down the days until her work here is over and she could return to the South. Middle aged, Thiele has a husband and kids back home, which enticed her more than the soft beds and delicious food here.

    Perhaps if I had a family back in the South, like her, I would feel the same way. But I don't. My parents died when I was very little, and I don't remember them. All I can do it nod when she speaks of missing her family, which luckily isn't often. It's clear she looks down on me like I am a child.  I didn't take it personal, I knew she just missed home.

    "Do you know what's happening?" I murmur to Thiele. We set off on the cobblestone road towards the Pack Meeting Hall in the center of town, in a group with the rest of the humans who lived at the Underling Boarding House.

    She pulls a face, "Why do you always think I know any more than you do-"

    "We are gathering to honor our visitors from the Northern Kingdom," Esmere- the Shifter who oversaw us, cuts in. One thing I have learned about Shifter society: every person in the pack has a role. And Esmere's role is our keeper. She isn't unkind to us, but she isn't warm either.

    "The North?" Even Thiele looks impressed at that, the handful of our group all break out into impressed 'ooh's and 'ahh's. I have never seen a Wolf from the North.

    "Yes, it's the Northern King's yearly visit to the Alpha." Esmere tells us, like we should somehow all know this. But I was still new to this particular pack, I have never even seen the Alpha in this pack, let alone have his meeting schedule memorized. "Quiet, can you even see from the human seating?" She is genuinely curious, as a few of us shrug. Underlings is what most called us humans.

    The North is different from the Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom consists of Shifters; those who embody the worst of humans, the worst of wolves. The North, is located in the tundras of the mountains. They are a different breed entirely; more wolf than anything. More animal than mortal. They were Lycans.

    We arrive at the entrance of the Gathering Hall shortly and we all separate into our designated spots. That was the thing about Pack life: everything was about status and position. Even the seating was organized by rank. Rank was sacred. Sure, our human life back in the South had leaders of our villages, but they weren't born into it. Their blood didn't deem them the best pick of leaders.

I watch as Esmere climbs the grand staircase to where the Shifters sat. I descend the tunnel in the back, where the humans sat. A mighty howl causes me to flinch in my seat. I hadn't lived amongst the shifters long enough to get used to them, my hair always was standing on end around here. I shuffle in my seat as I squint, trying to get a better look at the Alpha and Luna as the ascend the podium. Its pointless. The humans are seated in the trenches, basically. No one wants to be reminded that we are here.

    Give the worst seating to the ones without enhanced vision, figures.

    I listen to the normal fanfare and greetings that echo. I can't hear the Alpha above a low murmur, only a few words here and there registering for me. I begin to daydream, but am brought back as a ripple of bowing commences through the room, even the Alpha kneeling down. I comply with everyone around me. And when I raise my head, I am caught without breath at who we are bowing for.

    With just one glance, it was obvious this figure was dramatically more remarkable than the Alpha and Luna shifter beside him. He is not a shifter, that much is clear. He is more regal, more powerful, more everything. The aura that emitted around him was commanding. It was enough to make me lower my eyes all the way from the back of the room submissively.

    He is the King of the Northern Kingdom.

    There is a confusing silence, once that lasts long after we all rose from our bows, I begin to wonder if it was another werewolf custom I just hadn't experienced yet. They have a lot of traditions. I look around in question at everyone else, who slowly start to do the same. Thiele meets my eyes and shrugs.

    Until we are startled forward by an order that I don't need to strain to hear. His voice is that loud.

    "Bring the Underlings forward."