The Curse Of Violet Wraith

Formal Visit

EZRA

Why is it so hard for these English soldiers to leave us alone? Everyday is the same problem, and my people need to stop suffering at their hands. King Cassian is looking for an all out war, and he knows perfectly well that picking a fight with a pack of werewolves will be his doom. 

But he insists on trying to annihilate us or even use innocent people as their servants. I’ve heard he rules kindly and fairly, but what kind of king sends men to kill in the middle of the night, when my pack least expects it?

My warriors can luckily heal by shifting as soon as they are out of their sight, and it was more of his soldiers dying. In a way, I was always victorious. 

“Alpha, which kilt will you be wearing tonight at the King’s ball?” Angus, my servant asked as he walked in the closet and looked for an outfit. He has been in our family for years, serving my grandfather, my father and now, me. 

“Give me the best one you can find in there. Surprise me,” I replied, putting my undergarments and my shirt. It would be a two hour carriage ride to the king’s castle, and even though it would be faster if I shifted, I couldn’t afford to show up in my werewolf form.

I had to be presentable, and tonight, I will make sure he listens to me. If we were to live peacefully, this was the way to do it. I was not going to allow any more attacks to my pack. To my family. 

“How about this one?” He asked, pulling out a blue plaid kilt, one I had hidden at the back, trying to forget about my wedding day, where my fiancée had run off with another werewolf, claiming he was her mate. 

We weren’t fated to be with each other, but an alliance with her pack was convenient for her father and mine.

“Aye. I need to look as presentable as I can. King Cassian will receive me tonight, and what better night than his fancy ball dance?”

“I agree, sir.”

I dressed up, looking like a true Alpha and ready to meet with the king. After combing my dark hair back and smoothing my kilt, I left my chambers, heading to my father’s who was in bed, terminally ill. 

I kneeled on the floor by his side, taking one of his hands to kiss the rings on his fingers, the same ones he refuses to take off even on his deathbed. 

“Hello, Father. I just wanted you to know I will be heading to king Cassian’s castle. Wish me the best in making him retract from attacking us any further.”

His eyes were closed, as if in a state of coma, but I knew he was listening to me. He was attacked by human hunters a few months ago, poisoned by a mercury blade. At his old age, he wasn’t as healthy. 

Being half human was fatal for him as he couldn’t heal as well as we did. I had to thank him for a good life. He met my mother when she was pregnant and married her, not caring about the gossip from the village. 

She was his second chance mate, and that’s all that mattered to him. Losing his wife, who died at the hands of another pack, affected him. 

I was grateful for him raising me. Not being able to have kids, I was the only one who could take the role of Alpha. 

I promised to myself when I grew up, to find my real father and make sure he paid for abandoning my mother and making her suffer. 

“Well, I’ll be back soon. I love you, Father,” I whispered, leaning to kiss his forehead as a sign of respect. 

As I walked out of his chambers, I saw my mother standing at the door, a tired smile on her face. I knew how much this affected her.

Her hair had turned gray, and her golden eyes were not as bright as they used to be. But she was still as beautiful as she was in her younger days.

I just prayed to the heavens that if my father died, she could survive it and find a good mate in the future. 

“Please, bring peace to our pack, my son. Do it for your father,” she mentioned, letting out a few tears as I kissed her hands. 

“I promise, Mother.” 

Kissing her forehead, I walked out of my castle with Angus following me before we both got in the carriage that would take us to British grounds.

On our way to our destination, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, my heart causing a ruckus inside my chest the closer we got there. It was as if sensing bad news.

Two long hours later, we made it to king Cassian’s home, the guests outdoors staring at us as they walked away, murmuring to each other.

They all knew who I was, and they were afraid of me. I never saw any reason for their fears as I was not one to cause a bloody war, but their own king. My warriors were just defending my people.

“Sir, are you sure it was a good idea to come here?” Angus asked, keeping his head down while I could sense him trembling. I lifted his chin, my nails elongating on his cheek and my eyes glowing as we looked at each other.

“More than sure, but if you’re having doubts, wait for me in the carriage. I can’t risk you getting hurt in case it all goes South.”

“No, my Alpha. My job is to support you. Since Beta Maxwell is not here to protect you.”

“I appreciate your service, Angus. Now, let’s get this over with, aye?”

We both walked in, our heads held high as I scanned my surroundings, seeing how every guest in the ballroom went quiet. My eyes fell on king Cassian’s as he approached me with a fake smile on his face, extending his hands to shake mine. 

“Alpha Atwood! It is a pleasure having you here. It is not everyday we have a wolf man mixed with our crowd. I’m afraid my daughter is nowhere to be found, but I’m sure she’ll appear soon so I can introduce her to you.”

I returned a forced smile at him, bowing my head at him, politely.

“I’m sure I will get to know her soon. But I’m not here on a social matter. If you could give me a moment of your time…”

“King Cassian!” A soldier ran in, out of breath and soaking wet. It was strange as it hadn’t rained in a few days. 

“What’s wrong, soldier?” 

“It’s the princess, sir. We found her at the end of the river!”

Just as he said that, two other soldiers hurried in, carrying a woman in their arms. They were all as wet as the first one that walked in. My heart palpitated, and my chest ached as soon as they laid her down in front of us while the king rushed to her.

“No! Rosalyn! Sweetheart, wake up!” He cried, while the queen approached at the commotion and screamed in shock before fainting in a guest’s arms.

They tried to revive her, but as they kept going, their efforts were all in vain. She was not breathing.

“Sir, it’s better if we leave, maybe we can return another day. Seems like it’s not the best time to be here,” Angus suggested, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I needed to see how this all ended. 

As I stared at her face, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My wolf stirred inside, growling and whining in pain, confirming what I just knew.

The princess was my mate…

And she was dead.