CHAPTER 4
1071 Words
A helpless anger simmered inside me, but the moment my gaze drifted to my mate on the bed—a calm washed over me. “You do not understand, Henry. These people cannot be trusted, they could kill you in your sleep.”
Queen Eleanor quietened as I dragged my gaze back to her.
I definitely didn’t have time for this. My eyes fogged as I mind-linked with the head of my palatial guards, High Marshal Aldric Varrow, and he stormed into the building with a handful of guards.
“My Lord?”
“Secure the building,” I commanded. “See to it that no one goes in or out of this room except Dr. Sinclair.”
“Noted, My Lord.” Sir Aldric and the guards with him bowed. Satisfied, I glanced at my mother again, and then at my mate before sauntering out of the hallway. Joshua trailed after me, keeping up with my strides as I stepped out of the infirmary and crossed the courtyard. I headed to the top floor of the castle, and halted at the threshold of my chamber.
“Do you need anything, My Lord?”
I turned around and gazed at my valet. For the first time since tonight, a genuine smile spilled on my lips, at the reality that I’ve finally found my mate.
“Nothing, Joshua. As a matter of fact, I think you should take a night off.”
“But My Lord?”
“Grab a bottle of wine and also treat yourself to your favorite dinner—that’s an order!” I added, knowing he’d try to protest.
Joshua chuckled. Rays of happiness shimmered in his eyes as he took a back step and bowed.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Turning around, I sauntered into my room and shut the door after me. I halted before the large vanity and stared back at my reflection.
My thoughts drifted to that moment my mate stood alone in the lonely street, her large almond eyes as she fiercely stared back at me.
She was exactly what I asked the Moon goddess for in a mate: strong, feisty, and resilient. She was all I ever wanted.
A faint smile touched my lips.
Stepping away from the mirror, I removed my clothes and enjoyed a warm bath in the bathroom.
Seconds later, I stood before the vanity again, naked except for the white breeches I was now wearing.
I turned and sauntered to my bed. The mattress dipped as I climbed in and pulled the sheets to my midriff.
My head cushioned on the soft, plush pillows, I stared at the night sky, reliving over and over the moment I held her in my arms, her sweet scent.
For a moment, I wondered what her name could be. Without doubt, I would adore it as much I revered everything in her.
A grin parted my lips. Exhaling, I placed my arm beneath my head and drifted to a peaceful sleep.
The moment my eyes closed to sleep, a strange warmth wrapped around me.
In one fleeting second, I was lying on my bed and the next, I was standing in a vast, moonlit field. The grass beneath me was soft and damp with dew just as the silver glow of the full moon above bathed the parameter.
Where am I?
Suddenly, I heard wails of unseen children and women. It filled the air, as though beckoning me to follow it. I traced the cry and arrived at a village under siege.
An explosion rocked the grounds drawing my attention to a troop of soldiers firing cannons.
Something about the soldiers struck a familiarity inside me. There were wearing Britanor’s military uniform! My men. My eyes widened as I took in the gory sight their cannons created from the chaos; there were bodies of children, men, and women scattered about the place.
Right before my eyes, a villager and a soldier wrestled. The soldier got slammed against a tree, just as he scrambled to his feet, he picked up his gun and fired at the villager.
The villager dropped to the floor and began to writhe in agony. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he breathed his last,
My brows creased as I stared at the unusual sight before me. Werewolves, just as every other shifters, had the ability to self-heal through mundane weapons.
A yellow smoke emitted from the villager’s nostrils, drawing my attention to one of the after effects of a weapon believed to still be under imbedded testing in Britanor’s laboratory.
The were-dust powder!
This powder had the ability to disrupt the self-healing of any shifter while crushing their system from inside. It was first discovered during the reign of my grand-father and had been under imbedded testing since then.
Someone had ordered for their use behind my back. Who?
A soft cry reached my ears. My feet moved of their own volition to a fallen carriage. I rounded the vehicle and saw a girl sprawled on the floor clasping a body of an older woman to her bosom. She was holding the same diamond I’d found moments ago.
“Mate?” The word left my lips just as a familiar pull tugged at my heart. My vision swayed, narrowing until she was the only thing I could see.
Tears streamed down her face as she slowly glanced up at me. Not uttering a word, she straightened from the floor and brought out a dagger.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Growling, she darted towards me and I woke up, sitting up on my bed with a great force.
My heart hammered behind my ribcage. Beads of sweat skidded down my skin as I glanced across the open windows. It was morning.
I was not in any open field or village, but in the exquisite space of my chamber. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed seeing it was just a dream, and a morning sun was peeking over the horizon.
I buried my face in my palms and took another deep breath, before straightening and slugging my feet out of bed. I walked to the window and filled my lungs with the fresh morning air.
A knock rapped on my door. “Come in,” I beckoned.
Joshua strode into the room and bowed. “My Lord, she’s awake,” he announced.
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